Buy, Sell, Trade: Exploring Bellevue's Resale Shopping Scene

Seattle is well known for its thrifting scene - so much so, that Seattle-born artist Macklemore (Benjamin Hammond Haggerty) minted "Thrift Shop" as Best Rap Song during the 2014 Grammy Awards. That's over a decade ago, and that song is still a certified banger. There's something very appealing about rocking your grandpa's style, and sliding your arms into sleeves that have already lived another life. In a thrift shop, items are typically donated or sold to the store for very little, and the store owns the inventory as soon as it leaves the owner's hands. That means buyers will find lower prices while combing through the vast range of items for hidden gems. In contrast, consignment shops paint a different picture.

Across Lake Washington, Bellevue's resale scene spotlights a more refined experience with buy-sell-trade and consignment shops that focus on curated collections. Buy-sell-trade purchase items directly from owners in the region, while consignment boutiques sell pieces on behalf of their owners. Shoppers experience a more selective shopping experience with gently used items, authenticated designer handbags, collectible sneakers, premium brands, and vintage clothing all in one place.

Shopping the resale market in Bellevue is the real hidden gem in this Washington shopping story, and here's where to go. 

ABLAJ

Address: Bellevue Square -  2036 Bellevue Square, Floor 1, Bellevue, WA 98004

Located inside Bellevue Square, ABLAJ is a Black-owned boutique specializing in premium sneakers, streetwear, and collectible apparel. The shop buys, sells, and trades authenticated sneakers, clothing, and accessories from brands including Chrome Hearts, Satoshi Nakamoto, Eric Emanuel, GVGallery, Bottega Desires, Gallery Dept. etc. The brands and selections are ever changing, and the products ABLAJ carries are produced in limited quantities or have sold out through traditional retail channels. If you're looking for streetwear grails, this is where you'll find them! 

Lucky Dog

Address: 990 102nd Ave NE, Bellevue, Washington 98004

Cousins Gus and Jordan started Lucky Dog as a small vintage clothing business while attending Western Washington University, and it has since grown into an apparel store that curates vintage clothing spanning multiple decades. Inventory is hand-selected and one-of-a-kind, so no two visits are exactly alike. The constantly rotating collection features satisfying discontinued finds from brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Supreme, Nike, and collectible sports fan gear. Expect to find vintage graphic T-shirts, sportswear, denim, jackets, workwear, hats, jerseys, sneakers, handbags, jewelry, and accessories.

Reprise Pre-Loved Consignment

Address: 10129 Main St #107B, Bellevue, WA 98004

Bora McAteer's boutique consignment shop is full of treasures. Situated along Old Bellevue's Main Street, Reprise Boutique specializes in women's luxury and contemporary consignment. Find authenticated designer bags, clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories such as Gucci wallets, Louis Vuitton pochettes, fabulous Valentino pumps and Burberry coats. Reprise works with local residents to sell high-quality items through consignment, extending the lifespan of luxury fashion. Each item is carefully reviewed before reaching the sales floor, and Bora knows the owners all personally. 

Plan Your Shopping Day

One of the advantages of shopping Bellevue's resale scene is how close everything is.

Start your day at Bellevue Square, where you can browse ABLAJ alongside more than 200 retailers at The Bellevue Collection. From there, head to Old Bellevue, where Lucky Dog and Reprise are just a short walk apart among independent boutiques, cafés, restaurants, and tree-lined streets. Unlike traditional retailers, resale boutiques receive new inventory every day. That limited-edition sneaker, vintage Seahawks jacket, or designer handbag you spot today may not be there tomorrow.