For many Singaporeans, JB is their go-to for affordable shopping and services. Fashionistas can get a new look at JB hair salons and refresh their wardrobe from the many thrift stores in JB. With thrifting becoming the more widely chosen alternative to fast fashion, you’ll want to check out these stores that are sure to leave you Googling how to live in JB as a Singaporean.
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Anyone who has scoured through the depths of TikTok and Lemon8 for places to go thrift shopping in JB is sure to find this store as the fan favourite. Kedai Dhoby Shanghai is known for its unique curation of apparel, where quirky pieces can be found amongst traditional thrifting finds. Think of a wacky neon purple polo sweater on the same rack as Ralph Lauren.
Image credit: @kedai.dhoby.shanghai via Instagram
Clothes here start at RM10 (~S$2.80), along with accessories like bracelets, bags, and even vintage cassettes. The store is also within walking distance from JB hot spots like Pasar Karat and Hiap Joo Bakery, so add it to your itinerary on your next day trip and get a brand new look.
Address: 53, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 11am-7pm | Mon 11am-6pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: Kedai Dhoby Shanghai Instagram
Just down the road from Kedai Dhoby Shanghai, is Fara First, another thrift store. Though this store may lack quirky designs, it makes up for it through excellent deals for classic and casual wear.
For a price of RM50/2 pieces (~S$14.10), you can bag a whole wardrobe of casual outfits or office wear to stun all your friends and colleagues.
Address: 52, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon 10am-6pm | Tue-Thu & Sun 10am-11pm | Fri-Sat 10am-8pm
Contact: +60 17-784 7473
Image credit: Used Game Store
With constant upgrades, updates, and new consoles to buy, the gaming lifestyle can be hard to keep up with. But at this JB store, you won’t have to look up the highest-paying jobs for gamers in Singapore to fund your hobby.
At Used Game Store, gamers can find second-hand video games, with PlayStation titles like Borderlands for RM40 (~S$11.30) and Nintendo Switch titles like Overcooked 2 for RM55 (~S$15.55). These titles can usually go up to twice the price in Singapore stores.
They also offer preloved consoles like Nintendo Switches from RM149 (~S$42) depending on their condition, as well as console repair and game rental services.
Address: 21, Jalan Sutera 1, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11.30am-7.30pm | Sun 11.30am-5.30pm
Contact: +60 12-767 8981 | Used Game Store website
Most of us cringe at the thought of paying a hefty COE to buy a car and live our car-owning fantasies through Johor car rentals. But the solution could be to downsize, really downsize.
Introducing Collectors Paradise, a specialty store selling pre-owned and vintage toy cars for avid collectors. Here, you can find discontinued or limited-edition designs from all around the world.
If you’re missing the box set of classic Avengers Hot Wheels, go on a quest to find them on the shelves lined with miniature tyres and windshields. The cars start from RM10 (~S2.80) and are even being sold in vending machines across JB, including one in Johor Bahru City Square.
With prices that low, even if you aren’t a collector, it may be time for you to start, or just have them as novelty paperweights to rev up your cubicle decor.
Address: Lot 2-01, No, 2, Jalan Dataran Larkin 2, Taman, Jalan Dataran Larkin 1, 80350 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 12pm-10pm | Fri-Sun 10am-10pm
Contact: +60 11-2784 7800
Image credit: @label33store via Instagram
If you’ve cleared out all the thrift stores in Singapore for Y2K designs to look like your favourite K-Pop idol, it’s time to cross the causeway and head to Label33Store.
You can find an array of baby tees and cargo pants along with branded items from Harley Davidson and Chicago Bulls, with tops starting at RM15 (~S$4.24) and bottoms at RM30 (~S$8.50).
Being a bit further off from the other major thrifting streets, you can expect less crowds. Rest assured you’ll get to to thrift in peace and increase your chances of getting that one-of-a-kind find.
Address: Bangunan Kerjasama, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 10am-11pm, Daily
Contact: +60 12-737 0757
Music lovers and retro addicts rejoice. Located on the outskirts of JB, lies a melodic hidden gem, Embrace Hall Records and Distributions. The quaint little store-cum-cafe offers a wide variety of vintage and preloved cassettes, CDs, and vinyl, from stars like P. Ramlee to Black Sabbath.
Sample all 3 media in the store before you make a purchase, or just vibe out to the tunes with vinyls starting from RM40 (~S$11.30). You may also enjoy sampling their food selection with a typical Western fusion menu of dishes such as salted egg chicken pasta (RM18.90,~S$5.30).
Address: 7, Jalan Impian Emas 5/2, Taman Impian Emas, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 12pm-10pm, daily
Contact: +60 11-1192 1227
There are plenty of clothing thrift shops, enough to fill hundreds of Lemon8 catalogues, but finding one dedicated to preloved shoes is a true rarity. Solematemy is a franchise of stores that sell second-hand shoes from brands like adidas, Converse, and Nike. The shoes are disinfected and quality-checked before being sold at baffling prices from just RM80 (~S$22.60).
Solematemy has 2 branches in JB, with their newly furbished store Solematemy 2.0 boasting a larger collection of brands and unique vintage finds. With the variety offered over 2 locations, there’s no reason not to give them a visit; after all, what’s a new outfit without a matching pair of new shoes?
Solematemy
Address: No. 6, Jalan Indah 1, Taman Indah, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Thu & Sat 1.30pm-10pm | Fri 3pm-9pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: +60 13-798 1357
Solematemy 2.0 Tampoi
Address: 13, Jalan Tampoi, SUSUR 1, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 11.30am-12am | Fri 11.30am-12.30pm & 2.30pm-12am | Sat-Sun 3.30pm-6.30pm & 7.30pm-12am
Contact: +60 13-798 1357
On some days, you just want to kick back and relax on Danga Bay with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. For those days, get your newest read from Treasures N Books.
Being one of the few second-hand bookstores in the city, Treasures N Books specifically collects and sells English books, and has been doing so for over 30 years.They have a wide range of novels, educational books, and comics that span over decades, with books starting from RM2 (~S$0.60).
Address: No. 40, Jalan Pulai 22, Taman Pulai Utama, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Opening hours: By appointment only
Contact: +60 16-288 182
If you’re heading off to any of the coldest places near Singapore like Nepal or South Korea, get your layers from Bandoru Bundle, where you can snag winter jackets from RM40 (~S$11.30).
Located inside Plaza Angsana, the thrift shop has deals like RM50/5 pieces (~S$14.15) or Nike apparel for just RM35 (~S$9.90), leaving you spending hours digging through the colourful racks.
Image credit: Bandoru Johor
Address: Lot L2, Plaza Angsana, 29a Level, 42, Skudai Hwy, Bandar Baru Uda, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: +60 19-962 6607
KIP Mall Tampoi outlet
Address: Lot No. S001-S002 KIP Mall Tampoi, Jalan Titiwangsa 2, Taman Tampoi Indah, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours:10am-10pm, Daily
KIP Mall Masai outlet
Address: A011, Kipmall Masai No. 2, Persiaran Dahlia 2, Taman Bukit Dahlia Masai, 81700 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Jalan Jalan Japan website
Following its namesake, Big Bundle is the largest thrift store in JB, including a shoe section and its own vintage curated section.
Most of the tops here are priced at around RM5 (~S$1.40) while jeans and khakis go from RM10 (~S$2.80). Even the vintage collection, though pricier, has better deals than other thrift stores with jackets from brands like Northface priced at RM70 (~S$19.80).
Address: Pasir Gudang Hwy, Taman Bukit Alif, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 9am-11pm, Daily
Contact:+60 18-222 2790
Image credit: QQ Furniture
If you’ve heard about people stocking their homes up with sofas and shelves from furniture factory outlets in JB, there’s a second-hand furniture store that stands toe-to-toe with the others – QQ Furniture.
Though the location may look unassuming, this large warehouse with mountains of furniture has real treasures to be found like vintage ovens and leather bed frames that cost RM380 (~S$107.50).
Prices may vary depending on the types of furniture and the condition of the piece, so it helps to come prepared with research and requirements of what you want. Plus, you can try bargaining for a better price.
Address: 14, Jalan Satria 2, Taman Perindustrian Jb Perdana, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor
Opening hours: 10am-6pm, Daily
Contact:+60 11-2775 1398
Whether you’re an avid thrifter or have never tried buying second-hand, venturing through these thrift stores in JB can lead you to experiment with new styles or even pick up a new hobby.
There aren’t enough hours in a day trip to check out all of these shops and make full use of their deals, so if you plan to stay over, check out the best JB hotels to stay at.
For other things to do in JB, check out:
Cover image adapted from: Used Game Store, FourSquare
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