Some shoppers walk in planning a quick look and walk out four hours later, still only halfway through the racks. That happens at one enormous thrift store in Burnsville, where the aisles run deep with clothes, dishes, furniture, jewelry, craft supplies, and holiday decor.
Women’s tops here tend to land between about $5.49 and $12.49, and many furniture pieces start around $15.99, so a full day of hunting can still end with a bag of finds for less than $35. Vintage collectors, crafters, and budget decorators all have reasons to make the drive.
The store is not perfect, and the price tags spark plenty of debate among regulars. Keep reading for the layout, the best departments, the smart-shopper tips, the hours, and the honest tradeoffs that come with a thrift store this big.
A Thrift Giant on Burnhaven Drive
Size is the first headline here. The store is called Unique, and it sits at 14308 Burnhaven Dr, Burnsville, MN 55306, in the south metro of Minnesota.
It belongs to the same family as Savers, the well-known thrift chain. Shoppers who know Savers will find the setup familiar, with a few local twists.
The basic menu is simple. Unique sells secondhand clothing, footwear, furniture, books, and household items, all under one very large roof.
What sets it apart is scale. Regulars call it one of the largest thrift stores in the area, and first-timers often admit they underestimated how long a visit would take.
One shopper spent roughly four hours inside and still had not seen half of the merchandise. That is not a typo, and it is not an exaggeration meant to sell the place.
For Twin Cities thrifters, Burnsville is an easy trip off the main south metro routes. The location makes it a natural stop for anyone already running errands nearby.
So clear your afternoon before you go. A quick browse is possible, but this building rewards the patient.
The Savers Connection
Family resemblance is strong at this shop. Unique is part of the Savers network, and the store’s own web page lives on the Savers site.
That link matters for shoppers. It means a predictable system of departments, tagged prices, and a steady flow of donated goods coming in the back door.
Longtime fans describe it as essentially the same experience as a Savers, just with its own personality. Several regulars say they keep finding something a little unexpected each trip.
The donation side is a big part of the story too. Donations are one of the most talked-about topics around this location, and dropping off items can earn a donation coupon for your next purchase.
That creates a neat loop for frequent thrifters. Clear out a closet, drop the bags off, then use the coupon to shop for something new to you.
Some longtime shoppers feel the store has changed over the years, mostly around pricing. Others say it has recently become their go-to stop for treasure hunting.
Both views can be true at once. A chain backbone keeps things organized, while the donated stock keeps every visit different.
Racks for Days
Clothing is the heart of the operation. The clothing selection gets more attention than almost any other department, and for good reason.
There are lots and lots of clothes, organized well enough that you can actually find your size. Plus-size shoppers in particular say they consistently find solid options here.
Sweaters deserve a special mention. One regular found a few nice cashmere pieces mixed in with plenty of cotton and wool knits.
Prices vary by item. Women’s tops were spotted from about $5.49 to $12.49, nicer sweaters often ran around $14, and some wool sweaters slipped through at just $7 to $8.
Brand names can climb higher. Worn Levi’s jeans for men have been tagged near $30, so denim hunters should check tags carefully.
Inspect every garment before buying. Flaws do make it to the floor, including torn linings, sweater holes, and the occasional security tag left attached.
A little patience pays off here. The deeper you dig, the better the odds of a wool sweater at a price that makes you grin.
Furniture Worth the Trailer
Bring the bigger vehicle. Furniture is where Unique quietly outshines many nearby competitors.
Shoppers say the floor carries a much bigger furniture selection than other thrift stores in the area. Some call it noticeably more than the usual flagship stores carry.
Almost every piece starts around $15.99, with some items priced much higher. Small furniture is especially common, which suits apartment dwellers and first-time renters.
Staff have been known to go the extra mile here. In one case, workers measured a piece to check whether it would fit in a shopper’s car.
There is one catch. The furniture side can feel crowded, which makes it tougher to navigate for wheelchair users.
Carts are allowed out to the parking lot, so hauling a nightstand or side table to your car is manageable. Bring blankets or straps if you plan to buy something larger.
For room refreshers on a budget, this corner is the main event. Check back often, because the furniture lineup turns over as new donations arrive.
Kitchen Shelves and Mason Jar Math
Dish lovers, take note. The kitchen and dishware section is wide, with plenty of plates, bowls, mugs, and serving pieces to sort through.
Bedding sits among the household finds too, so a single trip can stock a guest room and a cupboard.
Pricing on housewares is where shoppers should stay sharp. Basic mugs have been seen at $5, and Ball mason jars were tagged at $2.99 each without lids or rings.
Home canners may want to compare that against a new case at a regular store before loading up. Sometimes the new box wins.
Staff may consider price adjustments in some cases. One request for a bulk jar deal ended with a modest drop to $2 each, not a dramatic bargain.
The smart move is simple. Shop the dish aisle for one-of-a-kind pieces, patterned plates, and odd serving bowls rather than everyday basics.
Mismatched dinnerware fans can build a fun table setting here. Just do a little quick math before the cart fills up.
A Craft Corner That Delivers
Minnesota crafters, this aisle is calling. Regulars praise an amazing variety of craft supplies at Unique.
For makers, a thrift store craft section is a wild card. You never know which project kits, materials, or odds and ends will turn up on a given day.
That unpredictability is part of the fun. A stash builder can wander in for one thing and leave with supplies for three future projects.
Some shoppers wish the store went further. One suggestion floating around is a free bin for nearly valueless items that crafters could reuse.
For now, everything carries a price tag, including some puzzling ones. An old day planner from years back was spotted at $2.
The lesson for makers is to shop with a plan. Know what you would pay new, then pounce on the true deals.
Frames, baskets, and fabric-heavy clothing can also become raw material. Look past the original purpose, and the whole store turns into a supply closet.
Jewelry, Vintage, and Oddities
Vintage hunters tend to linger longest in the glass-case zone. Unique has a selection of jewelry that keeps collectors circling back.
Beyond jewelry, the shelves hold finds with a past. Some shoppers treat a visit like a stroll down memory lane, spotting older pieces with plenty of history.
Unique finds come up often in conversations about this store. That is a big deal for collectors who crave the unexpected.
Behind-the-counter items carry their own pricing story. A few have been tagged above their original new price, so smart shoppers do a quick phone check.
Holiday decor also shows up. One shopper found a Christmas tree on a tight budget, with a staff member making sure nothing was broken before purchase.
Seasonal sections, including Halloween, have been described as less overwhelming than at some other locations. That leaves more room for everyday treasures.
Collectors who visit regularly have the edge. The best pieces rarely sit long, so frequency beats luck every time.
Electronics and the Fine Print
Gadget aisles always come with a gamble. Electronics draw a lot of chatter at this location, and not all of it is cheerful.
The prevailing advice from frequent shoppers is to assume electronics may not work. Testing options can be limited, so condition matters a lot.
Prices in this department can feel steep for used gear. A pair of worn speakers was once tagged at $70, which raised eyebrows.
That does not mean skipping the section entirely. Lamps, small appliances, and audio pieces can still be worthwhile for tinkerers who enjoy repairs.
Inspect cords, plugs, and housings closely. Look for missing pieces before heading to checkout.
Hobbyists who fix things for fun may find this the most rewarding shelf in the building. Everyone else should budget only what they are willing to risk.
Treat it as a bonus round, not the main mission. The real value usually lives elsewhere in the store.
Tidy Aisles, Mixed Moments
Organization earns steady praise. Shoppers repeatedly describe the store as clean, well organized, and easy to navigate.
Wide spaces give plenty of room to look at items. Even some critics of the pricing agree the floor stays picked up.
Staff experiences vary. Many shoppers mention friendly workers who help with furniture, holiday items, and questions.
Others report less pleasant encounters, including bag checks that felt unexpected. Leaving large bags in the car can make for a smoother visit.
Restrooms have drawn complaints for cleanliness, though a baby changing station is available. Plan accordingly on long hunting days.
Fitting rooms are another hot topic, and they have not always been available. Bring a measuring tape or wear fitted layers to test sizing on the floor.
The overall picture is a big, orderly store with uneven moments. Most shoppers find the layout makes the hunt easier, which counts for a lot.
Who Leaves Happiest
Not every thrifter wants the same thing. Unique tends to reward certain shoppers more than others.
Furniture seekers and plus-size clothing shoppers often leave satisfied. Crafters, vintage browsers, and dish collectors also have plenty of territory to cover.
Seniors get a nice perk. On Tuesdays, shoppers over 55 can receive 25% off.
Bargain purists may feel differently. A common theme is that prices run a bit higher than other thrift stores in the area.
Some shoppers shrug that off as the new normal for thrifting. Others say smart, selective shopping still makes the trip worthwhile.
Patient browsers are the clear winners. The store is huge, so more time inside means better odds of a real find.
In short, this is a hunting ground, not a dollar bin. Set your budget, pick your departments, and enjoy the chase.
Hours, Bags, and Budget Tips
Timing your trip is easy. Unique opens Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 7 PM.
Those long weekday hours make evening hunts possible. Tuesday is the go-to day for shoppers over 55 thanks to the discount.
Checkout is self-service only. Lines can build when staffing is thin, so allow a little extra time.
Free bags are not provided. Bring reusable totes or boxes, though carts can roll out to your car.
For a full day under $35, a few rules help. Focus on clothing in the $5 to $12 range, skip basics you can buy new for less, and save one splurge for a standout piece.
Donate before you shop to pick up a donation coupon. Inspect items for flaws, and politely ask about adjustments when something is damaged.
A little planning stretches every dollar. Arrive with a list, but leave room for surprises.
Worth a Long Afternoon
Every thrift store has its fans and its skeptics, and Unique has both in healthy supply. That debate is part of its story.
On the plus side, the scale is real. Racks of clothing, a strong furniture floor, kitchenware, jewelry, and craft supplies give treasure hunters hours of territory.
The organization helps, and many workers go out of their way to help. Tuesday senior savings and donation coupons sweeten the deal.
On the other side, some price tags test patience. Careful inspection and quick comparison shopping protect your budget.
The best approach is to treat a visit as an adventure with guardrails. Set a spending cap, pick favorite departments, and give yourself time.
Crafters may leave with a project stash, collectors with an odd vintage piece, and decorators with a nightstand. Each group gets a different payoff from the same building.
For a south metro day out that costs less than a nice lunch for two, Burnsville has a strong candidate. Happy hunting.
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