Florida is known for many things – its sunny beaches, theme parks, and retirement communities. But does the Sunshine State also have Savers thrift stores? Savers is a popular thrift store chain found across North America. With over 300 locations, it provides affordable clothing, furniture, and household items to bargain hunters and those looking to save money. For Floridians and visitors alike, the question often arises – can I shop at Savers in Florida?
Quick Answer
Yes, Florida does have Savers thrift stores. According to the company’s online locator, there are over 35 Savers locations currently operating throughout the state of Florida. Most stores are located in major metropolitan areas like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. However, Savers can also be found in smaller cities and towns across the state. The thrift chain first entered the Florida market back in the 1990s and has continued expanding in the decades since. So for those looking to save money on secondhand items in Florida, Savers provides an affordable and environmentally-friendly shopping option.
Examining Savers’ Presence in Florida
To understand Savers’ footprint in Florida, it helps to look at where the stores are located throughout the state. Some of the major metro areas that are home to multiple Savers locations include:
Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area
The Miami/Fort Lauderdale region has one of the largest Savers presences in Florida with over 10 store locations. Many stores can be found in Miami neighborhoods like Kendall, Hialeah, and Miami Beach. Heading north, there are several stores serving the Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood areas. With its large population and tourist traffic, the Miami metro area provides a major hub for Savers in the state.
Orlando Area
As a main tourist destination, the Orlando area is a prime spot for Savers to have stores. There are about 8 Savers stores currently operating in the metro region. Many are located close to major Orlando attractions like Disney World and Universal Studios. With so many visitors coming through Orlando, Savers gives tourists an affordable shopping option during their stay. The stores also cater to Orlando’s large number of amusement park and entertainment employees.
Tampa Area
The Tampa Bay metro area is home to one of the largest groups of Savers locations in Florida. Around 10 stores serve the Tampa region spanning from New Port Richey down through Brandon into downtown Tampa. With Tampa’s warm climate and coastal lifestyle, Savers fills the need for discount beachwear and casual fashions. The thrift chain has found Tampa to be a lucrative market in Florida.
Jacksonville Area
As the largest city geographically in the continental U.S., Jacksonville has several Savers stores spread across its vast area. Around 6 locations can be found on the north, south, east and west sides ranging from the Town Center to Mandarin to Arlington. With many neighborhoods and surrounding towns, Savers fills the demand for thrift shopping around Jacksonville.
Pensacola/Panama City Area
In northwestern Florida, shoppers can find Savers stores in the Pensacola region on the panhandle as well as farther east in the Panama City area. Though not a major market, these locations still provide the chain store coverage along the key Gulf Coast tourism towns.
Naples/Fort Myers/Sarasota Area
Down in southwest Florida, Savers operates stores in the main hub of Naples along with the Fort Myers and Sarasota areas. These locations provide thrift shopping for Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches and interior towns. Though limited compared to other Florida regions, Savers still maintains a presence across the southwest coast.
Boca Raton/West Palm Beach Area
The southeast Atlantic coastal region has a small cluster of Savers locations serving Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and surrounding towns. Catering to luxury shoppers and bargain hunters alike, this area contains some of Florida’s most affluent communities. The Savers stores here fill the niche for high-end thrift shopping.
Other Florida Towns and Cities
Beyond the major metro and coastal areas, Savers also operates smaller stores in some of Florida’s interior towns. For instance, stores can be found inland in places like Kissimmee, Altamonte Springs, Sanford, Ocala, and Port Charlotte among others. Though limited, these locations provide Savers access to local Florida shoppers across the state.
History of Savers in Florida
Savers first arrived in Florida in the 1990s, marking the Southeast as a key expansion region for the thrift chain brand. Here is a brief overview of Savers’ history establishing itself in the Florida market:
Early 1990s
The first wave of Savers stores came to Florida in the early 1990s, starting with locations in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale and Tampa metro areas. The thrift chain targeted these major markets to gain an initial foothold in the sunny state.
Mid 1990s
By the mid-1990s, Savers accelerated growth in Florida by moving into other high-potential markets like Orlando and Jacksonville. More stores also opened around Miami and Tampa to increase coverage.
Late 1990s
In the late 1990s, Savers expanded to other parts of Florida like Pensacola, Naples, West Palm Beach and further into Jacksonville. This build out filled in gaps in the state and allowed Savers to establish a true statewide presence.
2000s
In the 2000s, Savers focused on enhancing its existing Florida markets by adding new store locations versus expanding into brand new metro areas. Key markets like Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville saw additional stores open during this period.
2010s
Florida received continued investment by Savers in the 2010s through store renovations and keeping locations modern and up-to-date. The chain also replaced some smaller existing stores with larger modern formats.
Today
Currently, Florida represents an important retail market for Savers in the Southeastern U.S. The chain continues updating and optimizing its existing store footprint while selectively adding new locations to reach more of the state’s fast-growing population.
Savers Store Models in Florida
Savers operates several store models and sizes tailored to each market in Florida. Here is an overview of the different Savers stores found across the state:
Standard Thrift Store Model
The most common Savers store in Florida is the standard thrift model ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 square feet. This size allows for a full assortment of apparel, accessories, home goods and some furniture to be carried at each location. From major metros to smaller towns, the standard thrift store is Savers’ bread and butter model.
Large Market Flagship Stores
In major markets like Miami and Orlando, Savers operates some flagship-sized stores reaching over 20,000 square feet. These large locations allow an expanded selection with added features like collectibles departments. Flagship Savers cater to tourist and local demand in Florida’s high-traffic cities.
Small Market Stores
On the other end of the scale, some smaller Florida markets like Pensacola or Naples support Savers thrift stores under 10,000 square feet. These stores offer edited assortments tailored to local needs and demographics. The small market stores still provide great bargains on secondhand goods.
Strip Mall Locations
Many Savers stores in Florida occupy strip mall locations to maximize visibility and accessibility. The stores fit well among other discount and value retailers common in strip centers. Strip malls provide cost-effective locations to serve local shopper traffic.
Standalone Storefronts
As a well-known brand, some Savers stores reside in standalone buildings with prominent signage and brand identification. These locations feature spacious parking and easy access that caters to the chain’s legions of loyal shoppers.
Merchandise Offered in Florida Savers Stores
Savers locations across Florida carry great selections across several merchandise categories:
Apparel
Clothing makes up a large portion of sales at Savers. Stores stock abundant choices for men, women, juniors and kids. Categories include suits, dresses, activewear, jeans, T-shirts, accessories and much more. Brand name apparel is frequently found on the racks.
Shoes
From sneakers to dress shoes, shoppers can browse an entire wall of discounted footwear at Savers. The deep selections meet plenty of shoe needs from athletic to casual styles. Name brands like Nike, Adidas and more are regularly available.
Home Décor
For furnishing homes affordably, shoppers can discover furniture, rugs, lamps, artwork and linens at Savers thrift stores. The home goods sections offer constantly changing treasures to decorate on a budget.
Housewares
Kitchenware, dining items, glassware and other useful housewares are neatly organized at Savers stores. Shoppers can build up a great stash of housewares essentials on the cheap.
Books/Media
Books, DVDs, CDs and video games are popular thrifted goods found at Savers. Huge selections of used books span many genres for avid readers. Media sections also carry loads of blockbuster movies and video games.
Toys
From Lego sets to Barbie dolls, the toy aisle at Savers thrills kids and toy collectors alike. It provides an affordable source for new imaginative adventures and playtime.
Other Goods
Beyond everyday basics, Savers thrift stores also carry some specialty and seasonal items. Shoppers may find sporting goods, luggage, pet supplies, holiday décor and memorabilia treasures.
Savers Shopping Benefits
There are many benefits to shopping the wide selection at Savers in Florida:
Great Bargains
The amazing deals are what draws many shoppers to Savers time and time again. Thrift prices provide big savings versus other retailers on apparel, furniture, household items and more.
Unique Selection
Thrift stores like Savers offer an ever-changing, unique array of eclectic merchandise. Shoppers can make fun, unexpected finds browsing the aisles.
Name Brand Items
While shopping secondhand, customers still frequently come across big name brands at Savers. The stores get brand name clothing, shoes, accessories, housewares and more.
Vintage Finds
For shoppers who enjoy vintage, Savers thrift stores allow digging for fashion treasures from past eras. The right retro find can be worth a lot.
Supporting Reuse
Shopping at Savers keeps used goods circulating versus trashing them. Reusing saves environmental resources and reduces waste.
Local Community Impact
Revenue from Florida Savers locations helps fund The Savers/Value Village non-profit organizations that support job training, education and even food banks across the state.
Savers Shopping Tips for Florida
Regular Savers shoppers in Florida recommend using these helpful tips:
Visit Often
With quick inventory turnover, checking a Savers store frequently improves the chances of landing great buys in your size. Making weekly or twice-weekly trips can uncover new ongoing arrivals before others snatch them up.
Time it Right
Aim to shop on Wednesday mornings when new truck shipments are rolled out. Savers employees work overnight to get the latest deliveries merchandised and on the floor for opening. This is prime time for first dibs on new goods.
Check Clearance Areas
Make sure to browse the clearance sections where highly-reduced items are placed. Look for red tag or specially marked clearance merchandise to find the steals.
Be Flexible
Keeping an open mind is key when thrifting. If you go in looking for something specific you may leave empty-handed. Focus instead on browsing for great items you may not have planned to buy.
Inspect Carefully
Carefully look over used items for any defects, stains or damage. This ensures you know the true condition before purchasing anything used.
Know Return Policies
Understand Savers’ return policies related to any damaged or defective goods. This provides helpful protection when shopping secondhand merchandise.
Savers vs Other Thrift Stores
Beyond just Savers, Florida is home to various local and national thrift store chains. Here’s how Savers compares:
| Store | Size | Prices | Selection | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savers | Large | Low | Broad | Clean, bright |
| Goodwill | Medium | Low | Medium | Basic, warehouse |
| Salvation Army | Small | Very Low | Limited | Sparse, outdated |
As seen above, Savers differentiates itself by offering large, modern store environments with abundant selections and very low prices. Goodwill also provides good values on secondhand goods in mid-size stores. Meanwhile, small local Salvation Army shops have budget-basement pricing but more limited offerings. Overall, Savers leads among the major national thrift chains for selection and shopping experience.
Future Savers Expansion in Florida
Savers parent company Savers, Inc. continues looking for growth opportunities to add new Savers stores across Florida. Some areas the chain could expand deeper into include:
Central Florida Towns
Central Florida cities like Lakeland, Daytona Beach and Melbourne currently have few or no Savers locations. New stores here could capture untapped small town markets.
Florida Panhandle
The Panhandle region besides Pensacola could support additional stores in places like Tallahassee, Panama City or Destin. More tourist traffic creates thrifting demand.
Northeast Florida
Adding stores along northeast Florida’s Atlantic coast in cities like St. Augustine, Palm Coast and Drayton Island would fill gaps beyond Jacksonville.
Florida Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast holds additional potential for Savers beyond Tampa and Naples in towns like Port St. Lucie, Venice or Cape Coral as population grows.
South Florida Expansion
Even in established south Florida markets, many neighborhoods exist that could potentially support new Savers stores catering to local shopper bases.
Conclusion
In summary, Savers has become a Florida thrifting institution since entering the state back in the 1990s. The chain now operates over 35 stores serving towns large and small across the Sunshine State. For bargain shoppers, Savers provides quality secondhand merchandise from apparel to housewares and furniture at highly affordable prices. The thrift chain combines large bright stores, broad product selection and excellent values to satisfy both locals and visitors seeking deals. Based on Savers’ long track record in the Florida market and ongoing growth, savvy shoppers can look forward to even more future locations providing unique thrifting in the state. So for great savings on pre-owned items, plus environmental and community impact, Savers remains a beloved go-to destination for Florida deal seekers statewide.