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Palmetto Goodwill President and CEO Brian Itzkowitz and team cutting a ribbon at a new store opening, demonstrating why we are the best thrift store SC residents trust for quality and mission.
CommunityLifestyleThrifty Fashion

Palmetto Goodwill: Best Thrift Stores Near Me in SC

December 18, 2025

Deep Dive: Why Palmetto Goodwill is the Best Thrift Store Near You

When you search for thrift stores near me, you are usually looking for two things: great deals and unique finds. However, not all secondhand shops are created equal.

Palmetto Goodwill is well-known as the Best Thrift Store SC residents can visit. In fact, we offer more than just a place to shop. We provide a “mission loop” that turns your purchases into life-changing services for your neighbors.

Happy family of three posing in a retail aisle at Palmetto Goodwill, demonstrating why it is the best thrift store near me for quality finds and community impact.

Shopping with purpose: Every thrifted treasure this family finds helps fund life-changing services for their neighbors, from free job training to adult education.

1. The 91% Difference: Where Your Money Goes

Most people do not realize that for-profit thrift stores keep their earnings to make owners richer. But, Palmetto Goodwill is a registered nonprofit.

How Your Purchase Helps:

  • 91 Cents of Every Dollar: At Palmetto Goodwill, over 91¢ of every dollar you spend stays local. Ultimately, this money directly funds free job training, education, and disability employment services.

  • Supporting Obstacles: We use store funds to help individuals overcome barriers. Specifically, we provide support for veterans, people re-entering the workforce, and those with developmental disabilities.

  • Local Impact: Because we are governed by a local board, every “thrifted treasure” you buy helps someone in your specific South Carolina county thrive.

Palmetto Goodwill team member Cayla smiling while assisting a shopper at the checkout counter, demonstrating how every purchase at the best thrift store SC loves funds local job training.

The loop starts here: When you shop at Palmetto Goodwill, over 91¢ of every dollar stays local to fund free job training and disability services right in your South Carolina community.

2. Quality Finds and Designer Labels

Searching for a thrift store near me shouldn’t mean settling for lower quality. Palmetto Goodwill locations in the Lowcountry and Grand Strand are famous for high-end “hidden gems.”

  • Designer Brands: Shoppers frequently find labels like Coach, Dior, and Louis Vuitton at a fraction of retail prices.

  • Clean and Organized: We take pride in our store standards. So, our teams work hard to make sure shelves are stocked, organized, and easy to navigate for a fun shopping experience.

  • Constant Rotation: We put out new items every hour. Therefore, every trip to a Palmetto Goodwill is a brand-new adventure with fresh inventory.

A customer and consultant browsing high-quality designer clothing at Palmetto Goodwill, highlighting the best thrift store SC residents can visit for organized, sustainable finds.

Sustainable style meets mission impact: Browse our clean, organized racks for designer labels and vintage treasures, knowing your purchase helps local neighbors find a hand up through training and employment.

3. Sustainable Shopping for the Planet

Choosing to shop secondhand is the best way to protect our environment. Palmetto Goodwill is South Carolina’s original recycler.

  • Landfill Diversion: In just one year, our stores kept over 35 million pounds of textiles and goods from local landfills.

  • Electronic Recycling: We partner with Dell Reconnect to safely manage e-waste. As a result, you can donate old computers knowing they will be refurbished or recycled responsibly.

  • Zero-Waste Goals: By giving items a “second life,” we help reduce the massive carbon footprint caused by fast fashion.

Palmetto Goodwill operations team in a warehouse setting, demonstrating the landfill diversion and recycling efforts of the best thrift store SC residents support.

Sustainability in action: Palmetto Goodwill diverts 35 million pounds of waste from South Carolina landfills every year through our donation-driven retail model.

4. Services You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

When you shop at a for-profit store, the impact ends at the register. However, at Palmetto Goodwill, your purchase powers an entire ecosystem of support.

Programs You Support:

  • Career Opportunity Centers (COC): We offer 11 local centers where job seekers get free computer access and resume help.

  • The Palmetto Excel Center: Your thrift finds help adults 21+ earn a free high school diploma.

  • Veteran Career Support: Through the Palmetto Warrior Connection, we help veterans and their families transition into sustainable civilian careers.

  • The Enclave Program: This is a special program for individuals with developmental disabilities. We provide small-group work settings with a dedicated job coach to help everyone gain independence and confidence.

  • SCSEP (Senior Job Training): We host the Senior Community Service Employment Program. This national program helps low-income seniors (55+) get paid, on-the-job training to help them re-enter the workforce.

Extra Support for Life’s Obstacles:

We know that finding work is hard if your basic needs aren’t met. In fact, we’ve built relationships with over 50 organizations across South Carolina to help you find the right resources.

  • Vouchers for Essentials: While we don’t directly give vouchers, we partner with groups like the American Red Cross. They can write vouchers for clothing or furniture to help those who have lost their homes to fire or floods.

  • Transportation Help: We provide bus passes to qualified participants who need a ride to a job interview or a training program.

  • Emergency Housing: If you are in a crisis, we connect you with local housing partners in your area to find emergency shelter and help with utilities.

  • Applying for Benefits: Our staff provides hands-on help when you are applying for SNAP benefits or unemployment. We make sure the paperwork is done correctly so you can stay stable while you look for work.

  • Free Professional Certifications: You can take self-paced online courses at no cost! We offer Free Google Coursera certifications for high-demand skills like IT Support and Project Management.

Hiring Events and Workshops:

Don’t miss out on local opportunities! We regularly host job fairs and skills workshops at our COCs. Check our Events Page to see what’s coming up near you. Consequently, you can stay ahead of the competition and connect with employers who are hiring right now.

A Palmetto Goodwill job coach in a branded cap meeting with a woman in a wheelchair to review career documents and discuss accessible job training in SC.

Removing barriers together: Our Career Opportunity Centers provide personalized coaching and reasonable accommodations to help individuals of all abilities find stable, rewarding careers.

Ready to Shop?

Stop searching for thrift stores near me and start making a difference. Visit Palmetto Goodwill today to find your next favorite outfit while building a stronger South Carolina.

Take Action Today:

  • Find a Store: Use our Store Finder to find the nearest retail location and donation center.

  • Donate Goods: Ready to declutter? Your gently used items fuel our mission.

  • Get Job Help: If you need a new career, visit a Career Opportunity Center to meet with a Success Coach.