We almost didn’t share this list—part of us wanted to keep all the best vintage finds to ourselves. But if you’re willing to hit the streets and hunt the racks for that white whale of a secondhand find, Kansas City’s vintage shops deliver. Each shop has its own personality, and these are places where one-of-a-kind really means just that.
Wonderland
What to shop for: jewelry and tchotchkes
Wonderland has been a Westport staple for more than a decade, and its depth of inventory proves it. Co-owned by Andy Chambers and Alan Dunham, the shop has pieces dating back to the 1920s, and every item is cleaned and repaired before it makes its way onto the floor (a process that also spares you that vintage store smell—you know the one). Displays are creatively and thoughtfully arranged. and mannequins are styled in full ’fits, making browsing feel deliberate rather than overwhelming (307-309 Westport Road, KCMO).
Gnarly Hussle
What to shop for: vintage media
Gnarly Hussle is a thrift store, a dive bar and an arcade all under one roof. Founded by Pat Clifton and Alex Quinn, it began as a River Market pop-up in 2020 before putting down roots in Raytown the following year. The shop is brimming with vintage media (think Donkey Kong on an N64 cart or a well-loved VHS copy of Spice World). The experience doesn’t stop at the shelves, either. Catch events like drag bingo, trivia or art club, which have turned the space into a genuine neighborhood hangout (6317 Raytown Road, Raytown).
Hula Hoop
What to shop for: era-specific dresses
Hula Hoop sets up shop the first weekend of every month in a storefront just northeast of the Plaza, with a newly announced second location at Zona Rosa set to open this spring. The branding skews cutesy and colorful, but the inventory spans everything from vintage finds and modern pieces to kid’s clothes and menswear. Hula Hoop also runs an online shop with local pickup or shipping and regularly hosts cocktail-and-craft classes (4247 Walnut St., KCMO).
Rex Vintage
What to shop for: everyday staples
Located above Good Ju Ju in the West Bottoms, Rex Vintage is your spot if you’re looking for basics like vintage tees, flannels and hoodies. The shop favors style, condition and wearability over sheer volume. The dim, lofty space suits the inventory: carefully chosen pieces that, although decades old, feel current (1420 W. 13th Terrace, Floor 2, KCMO).
Daisy Lee Vintage
What to shop for: ’90s and Y2K garb
Want to shop like Chappell Roan? She stopped by Daisy Lee Vintage last fall before one of her concerts at the WWI Museum, and it’s easy to see why. This Crossroads shop, which also has a location in Lawrence, matches her vibe with a focus on late ’90s and early 2000s styles. The selection is also carefully edited, so you won’t feel buried in the racks (122 W. 18th St., KCMO).
6 Foot Closet
What to shop for: denim
Another stop on your West Bottoms vintage crawl, 6 Foot Closet makes finding what you’re looking for almost too easy by sorting its inventory by era, style and color. Come here if you’re a denim lover; the store has an entire section dedicated to vintage Levi’s. The space itself is neat, straightforward, inviting and practical (1101 Mulberry St., KCMO).
Boomerang
What to shop for: themed outfits
Boomerang has long been known as the spot to find an outfit tied to a specific occasion. The Westport shop spans styles from the 1940s through the 1980s, so you’ll be hard-pressed to leave without finding an outfit for your next themed occasion. Night out at Funkytown? Mad Men-themed cocktail party? Madonna Halloween costume? Boomerang will have what you’re looking for (3900 Pennsylvania Ave., No. 2940, KCMO).
