Shopping here feels less like a chore and more like a treasure hunt with a conscience. The Hartville Thrift Shoppe has been a cornerstone of the Hartville, Ohio community since 1978, growing from a modest storefront into one of the largest and most beloved nonprofit thrift stores in the region. Located at 938 W. Maple St. in Hartville, Ohio, it’s an independent, nonprofit thrift store governed by a Board of Directors representing local area churches.
The Hartville Thrift Shoppe is part of a network of stores that support the mission of the Mennonite Central Committee, with financial contributions providing valuable resources to both the local and global community. That means every jacket, book, or piece of furniture you pick up off the shelves is doing a little good in the world — and that alone makes the shopping experience feel different here.
What You’ll Find Inside
The Hartville Thrift Shoppe is a 35,000 square foot store selling nearly everything you can imagine. Clothing, furniture, housewares, books, holiday décor, crafts, home and garden items — it’s all here, and in remarkable abundance. The sheer size of the place means you genuinely never know what you’re going to find, and that sense of discovery keeps people coming back again and again.
It’s an excellent choice for all kinds of items for home and garden, crafts, and holiday items. Whether you’re hunting for a seasonal centerpiece, outfitting a new apartment, or just browsing for something unique, the variety on the floor is consistently impressive. Shoppers frequently report leaving with far more than they originally intended to buy.
The store is widely regarded as one of the best thrift stores around for children’s books — with very reasonable prices, a wonderful selection, and a section that is well organized. For families or avid readers, this is a genuine standout. The quality and curation of the book section alone is worth the trip.
By donating gently used items, supporters help reduce landfill waste and extend the life of valuable goods, while dedicated volunteers and staff receive, process, and present these donations for resale — making quality merchandise available at affordable prices. The result is a constantly rotating inventory that feels fresh every single visit.
Shopping With A Purpose
This low-cost, volunteer-driven model enables the store to give generously to the Mennonite Central Committee, where every dollar supports relief, development, and peace efforts across the globe. It’s a rare kind of retail experience where your bargain shopping directly translates into humanitarian impact halfway around the world.
The store gave $1 million to MCC each year in 2022 and 2023, increasing to $1.4 million in 2024 — a record high. That’s an extraordinary milestone for a community thrift store, and a testament to just how much the Hartville community has rallied behind this mission over the decades.
Atmosphere & Layout
Walking into the Hartville Thrift Shoppe, the first thing you’ll notice is just how clean and orderly everything feels for a store of this scale. The store is very clean, with polite staff and customers. It has a calm, unhurried energy that’s increasingly rare to find in retail — a place where you can genuinely browse at your own pace without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
An Event Center was opened and housewares were moved there, increasing total space to 28,000 sq. ft. before the current expansion to its full 35,000 square feet. The generous layout means departments are well spread out, with like items grouped together so you can navigate purposefully or wander freely depending on your mood.
The Hartville Thrift Shoppe is also part of the Hartville Antique & Thrift Trail, putting it right in the heart of one of Ohio’s most rewarding secondhand shopping destinations. The town of Hartville itself has a charming, small-town character that makes a day of browsing here feel like a genuine getaway from the ordinary.
Other Considerations
How are the prices? It’s a pretty big thrift store and the prices are very reasonable for used clothes. Across the board — from clothing and furniture to books and housewares — the pricing is consistently considered fair and competitive, especially compared to larger chain thrift operations in the broader Cleveland and Akron areas.
Is it family-friendly? Absolutely. The store is well-organized, spacious, and easy to navigate with kids in tow. The standout children’s book section makes it especially appealing for families, and the welcoming, community-driven atmosphere means you’ll feel comfortable bringing the whole crew along.
When is the best time to visit? The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10am–5pm, with Thursday hours extended until 8pm. If you prefer a quieter shopping experience, weekday mornings tend to be less crowded. On busier days — particularly weekends — parking can get a bit chaotic due to high traffic, but spots are generally available. The extended Thursday evening hours are a great option if you want more breathing room.
Can I donate items? Yes — and it’s encouraged. The donation center is open 365 days a year, making it incredibly convenient to drop off gently used goods anytime. Every donation feeds directly back into the store’s mission and keeps the inventory fresh for the next wave of shoppers.
Is it worth driving out of my way for? Many people think so. Loyal shoppers have been known to make monthly treks from outside the area just to browse the latest inventory. Between the size of the store, the caliber of donations, the community-minded mission, and the wallet-friendly prices, it’s the kind of place that earns repeat visits.
Hartville Thrift Shoppe
📍 938 W. Maple St., Hartville, OH 44632
Website: https://hartvillethriftshoppe.org
