There’s a magical kingdom of secondhand treasures hiding in plain sight on Des Moines’ south side, and it’s not run by a mouse with big ears – though you might find a stuffed version of him inside. Hope Ministries’ Encore Thrift Store is where bargain-hunting Iowans go when they want the thrill of discovery without the pain of paying full price.
I’ve always believed that one person’s castoffs are another person’s treasures, especially when those treasures come with the satisfying zing of knowing you just scored big for small money.
Thrifting isn’t just shopping – it’s an adventure, a treasure hunt, and sometimes a bizarre journey into the questionable taste decisions of strangers.
At Encore Thrift Store on East Army Post Road, all three of these experiences await you in a sprawling space that feels like the garage sale of your dreams – organized, abundant, and mercifully free of that one neighbor who wants to tell you about their knee surgery while you’re trying to haggle over a waffle iron…