thrift store bus tours

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*COMING SOON* Thrifting Retreats

THRIFTING RETREAT GETAWAYS - 

Imagine a fabulous thrift-filled long weekend!

Picture it... a fabulous beach weekend mixed with some thrift shopping fun OR treasure hunting amidst the stunning autumn leaves on a northern thrift trail.

Some RETREATS may include a stop at a Winery for a sip and swirl! 

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Fully Escorted Day Tours.

Thrifting party bus tours - day trips.

An Exceptional Day of Resale Shopping Fun!! 

ON SALE THRIFTING BUS TOURS DAY TRIPS IN

We need directors of fun.

Do you love thrifting and having fun with people? We need Thrifting Bus Tour Hostesses in various STATES! We still need Hostesses in FLORIDA CITIES OF: West Palm Beach/Jupiter, St. Augustine, Gainesville, Orlando, Titusville, Melbourne, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and the Florida Panhandle. 

Looking for hostesses in other States as well! Earn $400 day! Email us at: [email protected]  

Recent Thrifting Party Bus Pictures

Would you like our bus to come to your store, we would love to know more about your store.

Submit our Store Questionnaire 

CLICK TO HERE  TO tell us about your Store

BEST SOUTH FLORIDA RESALE STORES!

Shopportunities guide - the official florida resale store guide for thrifting bus tours.

A great resource to find Thrift, Consignment, Vintage, Antique, Resale, Coastal, Cottage, Shabby Chic, Boutique, Gift, Retro, 

Mid-Century Modern, Art-Craft, and Multi-Vendor Marketplaces.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE 2024 GUIDE ONLINE

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About Our Fully Escorted Thrifting Bus DAY TRIPS

Ride in comfort, "shop for a cause".

Our Fully Escorted Luxury Coach buses seat up to 55 passengers with large storage areas for your treasure finds. Limited passengers per trip.

Our coach bus has a restroom and climate control to keep you comfortable on your trip. 

Each seat also has individual electrical  charging stations for your cell phones and mobile devices.

A special feature added to some of our thrifting tours.  During specified trips you can elect to treasure hunt for items from a list, then purchase & donate the item(s) for the sponsored organization assigned to your specified thrifting tour.

You will find info in your trip details if available for your trip. 

We love to support Women's Shelters, Children's Homes, and Pet Rescues. #shopforacause 

Your Ticket Includes

Snacks and refreshments, Catered Lunch*, Special Discounts, Games, Prizes, and Lots of Laughs as we take you Resale shopping to the best variety of Thrift, Consignment, Vintage, Farmhouse, Cottage, Salvage and other really cool places! *Catered lunch included in some events- See tickets for details.

PRIVATE GROUP TRIP RESERVATIONS AND QUESTIONS:

Telephone: (239) 676-3876

[email protected]

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Learn about special thrift store events and new stores opening follow our Guide on Facebook - @ShopportunitiesGuide Instagram: Shopportunitiesguide

HEALTH & WELLNESS LIABILITY WAIVER

Each passenger must sign our Health & Wellness Liability Waiver prior to boarding.

When you purchase tickets you will receive a request for a signed copy of this form. Download a copy to sign here.

This is a standard travel procedure. 

To download, when the form is open, click the cloud icon that has the down arrow.

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Best 3 Thrifting Tours SWFL

Bus - Cruises - Car 

Thrifting Tours by Bus - Mystery Resale Shopping Bus Tours

Our Mystery Resale Shopping Bus Tours are always a hit! We don't disclose the shops until our "Resale Queens" are on the bus.

We provide lunch, snacks, swag bags, contest, guest speakers, games, laughs, and more on a huge AC motor coach bus.

** We welcome BYOSB (Bring Your Own Shopping Bags) on our tours **

Check out our 2024-2025 Mystery Resale Shopping Bus Tour schedule below and purchase your tickets today. Grab your seats before we sell out!   

Thrifting Tours by Bus, Cruises, or Car

Cruise schedule 2025.

Oh SHIP, FLORIDA GIRLS THRIFTING CRUISE

Enchantment of The Seas

Royal Caribbean

Tampa to Cozumel

Feb. 20th- 24th

ON BOARD THRIFT STORE

EASY TIP TO BOOK YOUR CRUISE

 CALL 1-800-465-3595 (ext. 5 groups) - Put down your small deposit, give them the booking # (see flyer above), choose early dining, and email  [email protected] with your RI # so we can add you to 

The Happy Thrifter group. Questions call us 816-352-0975. 

See you on the ship!

2024-2025 Mystery Resale Shopping Bus Tour Schedule

Port charlotte/ punta gorda.

Hopping into Easter Tour 

Thursday - April 4th, 2024 

8:10AM to 4:30PM | $79 

Pick up locations: Sarasota, Venice, & Port Charlotte 

Naples/ Bonita Springs

SOLD OUT - Celebrating National Pinata Day Tour

Thursday - April 18th, 2024

7:30AM to 5:00PM | $79

Pick up locations: Sarasota, Venice, & Punta Gorda

2025 - Up to St. Pete

Cinco de Mayo Tour

Thursday -May 2nd, 2024

Pick up locations: Sarasota, Venice, & 

Punta Gorda

Clashing Clothes Day Tour

Thursday - January 16th, 2025 

7:30AM to 5:0PM | $79

Pick up locations: Venice, Sarasota, Bradenton, and St. Pete

The Grammy Award goes to the Sound of Love

Thursday - February 6th, 2025  

8:30AM to 5:00PM | $79

Pick up locations: Sarasota, & Venice 

It's a treasure hunt tour!  

Thursday - March 6th, 2025

Pick up locations: Venice & Sarasota

Naples/Bonita Springs

Celebrating the Oscar Awards  

Thursday - March 20th, 2025

7:30AM to 5:30PM | $79

Pick up locations: Sarasota, Venice, & Punta Gorda  

National Circus Day

Thursday - April 10, 2025

8:30AM to 5:00PM | $79 

Pick up locations: Venice, Sarasota, & Bradenton

BOOK A PRIVATE BUS TOUR

Celebrating National Lei Day

Thursday - May 8th, 2025

 Contact us at [email protected] or call our Box Office at 816-352-0975 to book your private tour! You do need to sell 50 seats, we provide the guides, the bus, the driver, and all the fun games!  

Follow the link below to read about us in your local newspapers. 

 Watch videos from our Mystery Resale Shopping Bus Tours featured on Tampa ABC Action News, Sarasota SNN News and our PBS airing in April 2021. 

Our Resale Guide Newspapers

The happy thrifter - apollo beach to naples, fl..

 2018-2024

Published Annually

Click the button below to read the Apollo Beach to Naples paper online! 

The Happy thrifter - greater tampa bay area

 2020-2024

Published Annually  

Click the button below to read the Ocala to Greater Tampa Bay Area paper online! 

Planning a Resale Shopping Trip soon?

Are you planning a Resale Shopping Trip soon and need a copy of The Happy Thrifter Shopper Resale Guide mailed to you? Click below to get a copy mailed to your house for a small shipping fee. 

*Small shipping and handling fee*

Pick up a free paper at one of our many news rack locations.

FYI - Our Resale Guide Newspapers are published FREE annually and are available at over 300 merchants shops and at area news stands. If you are in town and trying to find a FREE copy, shoot us an email and we can direct you to the closest merchant or stand. 

Interested in Advertising?

If you are interested in becoming an advertiser in one or both of The Happy Thrifter Resale Guide Newspapers please contact us and we will send you our Advertisers Kit.

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5 Secrets to Thrift Shopping Success

According to Patti Clark, publisher of The Happy Thrifter Resale Guide in Tampa

Growing Bolder Digital Digest 

Have More Fun While Thrifting!

Have you ever found something cute, weird, or strange while out thrifting? 

Well next time take a photo and post it here! Tell us what city that you found it in (no need to put the name of the store) and let the laughs and wonderment begin.

Don't ever be ashamed of loving and posting " Strange But True Florida Thrift Store Finds ", it's the strange things that make our little weird hearts happy! 

Enjoyment brought to you by The Happy Thrifter Newspaper. 

Click the button below to visit the Strange But True Florida Thrift Store Finds Facebook page! 

Come back for updates and as always Happy Thrifting!

Have any questions.

If you have any questions and would like to reach out to us please click the button below and send us an email! 

 Terms of use for website and print content. The Happy Thrifter retains the copyright of all photographs, digital images and written material produced and any form of website design and content, including the category and sub-category system and any object and materials published by The Happy Thrifter for it's resale guides and resale shopping bus tours (mystery). The Happy Thrifter is a legally protected trademark and/or service mark and may not be used without authorization. Contact our webmaster for more information [email protected]  

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Our Thrifting Bus Tours & Retreats

A Party Bus that goes Thrift Shopping! Enjoy a full day adventure shopping Thrift, Consignment, Vintage, Resale, Farmhouse, Coastal, and Marketplaces on our luxury coach bus!

Get your RESALE Store promoted during our tours!  Use the  Information FORM below or Call Us at: 

239 676-3876

Welcome! Enjoy our Print & Online Guides!

We offer a Multi-media, Interactive Guide to find the best Thrift, Consignment, Vintage, Antique, Upscale Resale, Salvage, Mid-Century Modern, Retro, Coastal, Cottage, Farmhouse, Shabby Chic, Pottery/Garden, Art-Craft, Marketplaces, Flea & Farmers Markets. Total Interactive Guide with QR Codes to Get driving directions & Map right from the printed guide! Or Download our online copy and keep on your cell phone with all the interactive capabilities!

Our Guide offers many features!

Find the type of stores you like.

Our color coded business directory pages groups stores by type, i.e. 

Orange = Thrift,  Teal = Consignment, 

Purple = Vintage, etc.

Read & Shop from Home!

SHOP from HOME with our online guide embedded links, just tap the Website, Facebook & Instagram Icons to shop the store listed.

Always have our Guide!

Get driving directions.

Download our guide to the home screen of your cell phone. Open online guide & click download icon. Or get our guide sent in a TEXT Message.  Send area guide request to  239 676-3878.

Watch embedded store videos!

Get driving directions by scanning QR code on printed map pages or by clicking the map from  the online guide.

Learn more about stores by watching showcase videos embedded on the online guide. Look for the red video icon to click.

Get our BEST BIG Map!

All of our printed & online guides have our BEST BIG Map feature! Shop hundreds of stores combined from ALL our guides!  

STORE OWNERS: We bring shoppers to stores like yours!

Read shopportunities guide online, south florida region 2024 super issue - 7 counties, the official guide for thrifting bus tours, advertise with us next issue, get in before it's too late call: 239 676 3878 or email: [email protected].

Available in full color print and online with interactive maps. Online issue can be downloaded to any smart device. Our rates include both issues. 

Upcoming Tours & Dates

Archive - best big map - some stores no longer exist., find over 400 stores to shop.

If you are Road Trip Ready for a day of Treasure Hunting FUN, our BEST BIG Map is for you! 

Color coded by Store type, just like our printed guides. 

Orange: Thrift Store

Teal: Consignment Store/Resale  (Furniture/Clothing)

Yellow: Children's Consignment

Purple: Vintage/Antique

Taupe: Coastal/Cottage/Salvage

Garnet Red: Mid-Century Modern/Retro

Green: Farmer's Market

Navy Blue: Flea Market

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Shopportunities Guide Copyright 2024

Guide To Goood Buys LLC, 6017 Pine Ridge Road, #138, Naples, FL 34119, US

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All Rights Reserved.  All materials, website, print, digital, or published by  Shopportunities Guide  or Thrifting Bus Tours may not be copied or reproduced without prior permission.

[email protected] 239 676-3878

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Thrift store bus tours Utah, gaining social media street cred

By sky mundell, ksl.com | posted - feb. 18, 2024 at 12:19 p.m., collin mclaughlin and friends pose for a photo atop their increasingly popular vintage retail space housed in a school bus. they drive the bus around utah, bringing with them a unique shopping experience. (not a thrift store).

Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes

SPANISH FORK — A hybrid social-shopping experience run out of a school bus is gaining notoriety among young Utahns for its ability to offer a unique vintage clothing shopping experience.

From being temporarily shut down by the police to experiencing spikes in business that have left them without inventory to sell at times, the ironically named Not A Thrift Store has experienced its fair share of bumps in the road. However, this hasn't stopped its young operators from working long days and nights to expand their brand of kindness, inclusivity and vintage clothing.

Kaysen Stevens, a young entrepreneur from Spanish Fork, purchased his first school bus at the age of 15, after selling homemade caramel apples door to door, with the intention of using the bus as a hangout space for him and his friends. He had no clue then that he would go on to use the bus to start a mobile thrift store that would go on to sell upwards of 300-500 pieces of clothing in every city it parks in.

Initially, the plan was to use the renovated bus as an Airbnb rental when he and his friends weren't using it; however, he quickly discovered that he wasn't equipped financially to seriously renovate the dilapidated bus. Last year, Stevens said that the idea came to him to begin selling clothes that he'd been meaning to get rid of out of the bus to raise money to renovate the bus into a rental space.

"I've always wanted to open up a thrift store, and I had this bus, I had my brick-and-mortar, and so I thought I could throw up some hangers and sell some clothes to raise money for this Airbnb project," said Stevens.

"At first it was super slow," he said. "I'd be sitting in the bus for three to four hours with no one coming in. I was posting on TikTok and one day, one of the TikToks blew up and there was this massive line that formed."

Eventually, the spot became so popular and had caused so much foot traffic in Stevens' neighborhood that the police intervened, telling Stevens that he was not allowed to run such a big business in a residential area. Summing up the situation, Stevens said that the thrift bus had become "bigger than a lemonade stand."

In October 2023, he was able to purchase another school bus, which unlike the first one that had remained parked in his backyard, was able to run. He began taking the bus to different cities every week and acting as a mobile thrift store — ironically called "Not A Thrift Store" — ultimately attracting a formidable following with over 52,000 followers on its Instagram page and over 11,000 followers on its TikTok page.

Now 19, Stevens has left primary operation of the thrift bus to his older brother, Trae Stevens, and a fan-turned-employee, Collin McLaughlin, who tour around in the bus, stopping at different cities every week. Stevens, meanwhile, works out of state selling solar services door to door to help raise funds to expand his Not a Thrift Store business and a suite of future businesses that the young entrepreneur hopes to run one day.

The Stevens brothers and McLaughlin said the mobile thrift store has grown into more than just a retail operation. They see an opportunity to make the pop-up thrift store into a communal experience where people can meet each other and hang out while shopping for vintage clothing.

"It's cool traveling to different cities and seeing how people take it in," said Trae Stevens, adding that smaller towns especially are really eager to have the thrift bus come into town. "It's cool to bring people together and bring excitement to these different towns."

For having only been mobile for four months, the Not a Thrift Store bus has covered an impressive amount of ground, having visited more than 15 cities in Utah, with that number steadily increasing by the week.

Kaysen Stevens said in the near future, he wants to collaborate with local food trucks and communities to build the Not A Thrift Store brand by holding communal events that draw people with similar interests together to socialize and enjoy fun events together.

"We want to make our own merch and sell it," said McLaughlin, with the three saying that Not A Thrift Store branded merchandise is on its way and should premiere in the coming months.

In addition to expanding their ability to bring communities together and making their own merchandise, the Stevens brothers and McLaughlin said that they are planning to eventually visit cities outside of Utah as their online following grows and commenters from all parts of the U.S. plead with the young entrepreneurs to visit their city.

Trae Stevens explained that the Not A Thrift Store brand is currently focused on being more "purpose-based," adding that they are currently working on an anti-bullying campaign with the working title of "a seat for everyone."

Trae Stevens said that the campaign and the brand's focus on promoting a "pro-kindness" culture is important to the Stevens brothers because it is a way to honor their grandmother, Jeneal "Jeanie" Stevens, a school bus driver who was killed in an accident in 2001 while driving the Bear River High School basketball team to an away game. She had to make evasive maneuvers to try to avoid a collision with a semitruck after encountering an unexpected traffic blockage, safely guiding the bus into an embankment but sustaining injuries that would claim her life.

"She was very well known for being kind, and we want to take her purpose and continue it," said Trae Stevens, explaining that their grandmother never tolerated any sort of bullying on her school bus.

Members of the community consider Jeanie Stevens to be a hero and credit her with successfully maneuvering the school bus to avoid an accident that could've been much more fatal for the 50 students and staff on board. A park in Tremonton has since been named in her honor.

For the founder and operators of the Not a Thrift Store bus, the business isn't just a way to build their entrepreneurial careers but a way to bring joy, excitement and friendship to the communities that it visits.

Vanessa Stevens, Trae and Kaysen's mother, says she is very proud of what her sons are doing with their business. Early on in the Stevens boys' lives, they worked alongside their mother in a boutique candy shop that was operated by the family — hence why Kaysen Stevens later turned to selling homemade caramel apples to raise the money he needed to buy the school bus that would start it all.

"I'm super proud of them," said Vanessa Stevens about her sons. "They're so driven, smart and successful — they're awesome boys."

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Thrifting Bus Tours A Party Bus That Goes Thrift Shopping - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Your guide to Bargain Shopping and Thrifting Atlanta!

Discover the best thrift stores, vintage and consignment shops.

Thrifting Atlanta Bus Tours

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Join us on May 18th for the Thrifting Atlanta Bus Tours! Enjoy a chauffeured bus ride to shop Atlanta’s best resale shops! Get exclusive shopping discounts, giveaways, light refreshments and a bag lunch too! 

SELL ON THE THRIFTING ATLANTA PLATFORM

 Do you want to make some extra money when you purge your closet, do you sell on other platforms or are you a boutique owner looking to reach new clients?  Advertise on the Thrifting Atlanta Platform and become an Approved Seller TODAY! 

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Black women in resale.

Black Women In Resale was launched in January 2021.  This initiative spearheaded by Ayana Pitterson of Thrifting Diva and myself is the culmination of months of community building with fellow black resellers.  Black Women In Resale seeks to amplify the voices and needs of black women resellers.  It will provide a platform to  educate, provide resources and bring together a community of entrepreneurs. We invite to learn more about this community. 

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St. Petersburg’s thrifting scene is so good, they come by the busload

• Sara DiNatale Former Times Staffer

ST. PETERSBURG — Patti Clark stood at the front of 60-seat coach bus with a microphone in hand.

“Okay, resale queens," she shouted, "that was a great shop. Wasn’t it?”

Rows of smiling faces cheered and clapped in agreement. A few stragglers stood outside the 40-foot bus, loading their hauls into the undercarriage. The rest sat cozy in their seats, clutching totes filled with home decor, clothing and other knickknacks.

For the last four years, Clark has led bus tours around Florida at $60 a ticket. But there are no stops at the beach or visits to the state’s famous theme parks.

Instead, the people on board have a specific mission: to thrift, bargain and find a mix of great deals and vintage treasures. As more and more people find out about the “Mystery Resale Shopping Bus Tours,” the quicker they sell out.

Resale and secondhand shopping is having a major moment. The number of resale shops — from vintage boutiques to nonprofit charity shops — has grown 7 percent in each of the past two years, according to the Association of Resale Professionals. Even major retailers are partnering with online thrift and consignment stores to get in on the action.

But Clark’s Mystery Tours may be among the most creative resale oriented businesses. Clark maps out thrift and vintage shop stops along a route that usually focuses around one city or region. She slots out about an hour for each shop, meticulously planning everything long before her shoppers hop on board. Each trip has a catered lunch, door prizes and raffles.

The trips often launch in Venice, where Clark lives. From there, the bus stops at designated pickup points on its way to that day’s city. Clark just launched the St. Petersburg route, which featured shops such as the Market at Left Bank, Bungaleaux on Central and the local Goodwill. The tickets sold out in 29 minutes.

“I was in the shower and I heard bells,” Clark said. “I couldn’t figure out what it was.”

It was the email alerts as her inbox quickly filled with ticket sales. The new route and St. Pete’s thriving thrift scene appealed to Clark’s loyal clientele. Some of the women on the most recent tour lived as close as Sarasota, but had never explored St. Pete’s thrift shops and vintage boutiques.

Kathleen Johnson slid two boxes of like-new brightly colored fiesta silverware in front of the cashier at the Market at Left Bank. Johnson, a retired Spanish teacher from Sarasota, was spending the day searching for housewarming gifts for a friend who just purchased a new bungalow.

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Just outside the shop, women sipped free coffee and champagne. They mingled, laughed and talked about past and upcoming trips with the bus tour: Fort Myers, Bradenton and Punta Gorda.

“So where are you off to next?” the cashier, Teyka Steh , asked Johnson as she placed the silverware in a large paper bag.

“We don’t know,” Johnson said, laughing. “They don’t tell us.”

It’s all part of the fun, Clark said. Keeping the route stops a surprise makes the journey feel even more like a treasure hunt. The bus stops at other cities to pick up thrifters along the way to the destination. On the road, they watch movies on bus TV screens, munch on popcorn and sip wine coolers.

Clark estimates her trips pump about $10,000 total into the local shops they visit on any given trip. She calls her company and its newspaper about the state’s best thrift shops and vintage stores the Happy Thrifter.

The recent St. Pete tour was mostly made up of retired women, though Clark said some trips have had younger people. One of her favorite shoppers was a 91-year-old man named Arthur. Her most loyal shopper has been on 16 trips. Some are seeking gifts, others their own goodies or items they may be able sell for a profit online or in their own stores.

Clark runs trips regularly between November and May. Her next one is March 12 through Bonita Springs and Naples. She always does them on Thursday, when shops aren’t as busy, so the focus can be on her crew of resale queens.

While at the Bungaleaux, a woman who goes by “High Hair Mare” shouted down the shop’s stairs to Maria Dicicco , a Nokomis jewelry maker. Mare had found a red purse with intricate beading.

“She knew I’d love it,” Dicicco said. “For $15? I asked where the other zero was.”

Diccio also held on to a leather belt that was branded with “Oldsmobile," another inexpensive find. Meanwhile, Sandra Martin from Siesta Key found a couple of designer skirts and jewelry she was happy to splurge on.

Maggie Ory opened the Bungaleaux about four years ago. She noticed the appetite for vintage growing.

“People want quality,” she said. “If you go to Ikea, you’re getting particle board. People like one-of-a-kind vintage.”

Ory has held her own customer appreciation events, but she has never hosted a busload of new shoppers. She put out wine, cheese and crackers and opened the shop a little earlier than normal.

Before she started the bus tours, Clark would point out thrifting honey pots to close friends. They were always impressed with her accumulated knowledge of the best spots.

“I’d joke, ‘One of these days, I’m going to load you all up on a bus and take you to them all,’" she said.

Eventually, she realized that was actually a good idea.

Former Times Staffer

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By car or by bus tours

Bus Tours sponsored by The Happy Thrifter Resale Guide and Tours Car Trips (on your own) sponsored by The Happy Thrifter Resale Guide 4 page map inserts.

This company has put " thrift shopping tourism " on the map said Bill Shafer , Executive VP of multimedia company " Growing Bolder " airing on WEDU-PBS . 

Pick up a copy of The Happy Thrifter Resale Guide Newspaper and start planning your

own ROAD TRIP RESALE ADVENTURE anywhere from Ocala to Naples , FL. This paper is

huge (over 74 pages) and includes over 455 resale merchants’ ads, locations on map and stories

about each of them. 

Look for Thrift Stores, Resale Shops, Boutiques, Emporiums, Salvage,

Shabby Chic, Antique/Vendor Malls, Salvage, Flea Markets, Consignments Stores for Furniture

and Clothing, Vintage, and more.

Copies are available at area news racks, resale merchants (Ocala to Naples) or you can order one. 

The paper is FREE however we do charge a small handling fee for shipping. Scroll down to order your paper today! 

Order one before your vacation, so you can get a jump start on your 

ROAD TRIP RESALE ADVENTURE in SW FLORIDA.

"Where every page is your journey to your road trip resale adventure!"

Be sure to tell the merchants The Happy Thrifter sent you! 

** Visit these shops leisurely based on your vacation time or plan a day or two road trip. **

Looking for a copy of the The Happy Thrifter Resale Guide Newspaper?

The paper is free however we do charge a small handling fee. 

** Canadian orders - an additional $4.00 handling fee will be added **

Find us on Facebook

 Discover the best Resale/Thrift Shops on your Bus Tour or Road Trip. Grab your smartphone, send us a photo and send them over to our Facebook page. We would love to see what you found. Be sure to let us know where you’re from,  

and don't forget to give us a like! 

Order tickets for a fun Mystery Resale/Thrifting Shopping Bus Tour where you leave the

driving to us via an air-conditioned motor coach bus as we take you resale shopping all day. We

don't disclose the location of the shops until you are on the bus, price of $69 per ticket includes

deli lunch, games, snacks, contests, added discounts from the resale merchants, swag bags,

prizes, laughs and so much fun! 

We have many  fun guided-led theme tours

 (Holiday-Easter-Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, Chico de Mayo, Happy New Year and more) that run from December to May  of each year.

 Plan your vacation around our resale tour dates. 

Order tickets  at  www.thehappythriftershopper.com .

Tickets will be emailed to your inbox from Eventbrite.

Deli Lunch- Door Prizes- Deep Discounts- Swag Bags- BYOSB (Bring Your Own Shopping Bags)-Movies-Popcorn

Choose the city you want to resale shop at from Ocala to Naples.

These are all day Thursday (only) planned "shop til you drop"; resale tours

from  8:00AM  to  5:30PM  

** Times may vary depending on your tour selection **

We have convenient pick-up locations all around town.

Email  [email protected]  for general information.

  It's the ride of life the journey from here to there living and loving every moment like we have none to spare even on a huge motor coach bus thrifting for the day with a bunch of Resale Queens!  

"Let your Resale Adventure by bus begin with us!"

Small Groups - Do you have a small group of gals that

want to go resale/thrifting shopping on our resale tours? Did you know we can save (up to 20)

seats on any of our tours by contacting our bus sales and information team

at  [email protected]  or by calling them at 941-786-4847. We provide a sign

announcing your group.

Private Tours - Yes, you can book a private bus tour for your community. You will need to sell

50 seats; a contract is required along with a deposit. Contact our bus sales and information team

at  [email protected]  or by calling them at 941-786-4847. We only have certain

dates open for our private tours.

Birthdays -Anniversaries-Let us know ahead of time, so we can make a sign. We make a big deal

out of celebrations on our resale tours!

2022-2023 Bus Tour Schedule

Sarasota/gulf gate/clark.

Holiday Tour   SOLD OUT  

Thursday - December 8th, 2022 

 8:00AM to 5:30PM | $69 

Pick up locations: Venice & Sarasota

Holiday Tour SOLD OUT  

Thursday - December 15th, 2022

8:00AM to 5:30PM | $69

Pick up locations: Venice, Sarasota, & Bradenton  

Happy 2023 Tour! SOLD OUT 

Thursday - January 12th, 2023 

7:30AM to 5:30PM | $69

Pick up locations: Sarasota, Venice, Punta Gorda, & Naples

 Thursday - January 26th, 2023 SOLD OUT

Pick up locations: Sarasota, Venice, Punta Gorda, & Fort Myers 

Valentines SOLD OUT  

Thursday - February 9th, 2023

7:30AM to 5:30PM | $69 

Pick up locations: Sarasota, & Venice

Mardi Gras SOLD OUT  

Thursday - February 23rd, 2023

Pick up locations: Venice, Sarasota, Bradenton, & St. Pete

MYSTERY RESALE TRIP

Sun city center / ruskin.

Mystery Location CANCELED - DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Thursday - March 2nd, 2023

Pick up locations: Sarasota, Bradenton, & Lakeland

Thursday - March 9th, 2023 

8:00AM to 5:30PM | $69 

Pick up locations: Venice, Sarasota, Bradenton, & Sun City Center

ELLENTON / PALMETTO

Thursday - March 23rd, 2023 BUS TOUR GUIDES FAV!

Pick up locations: Venice, Sarasota, Bradenton

ST. PETE TO BRADENTON

Easter SOLD OUT

Thursday - April 6th, 2023

Pick up locations: Sarasota, Venice, Punta Gorda, & Fort Myers

UP TO TAMPA

Thursday - April 20th, 2023

Pick up locations: Venice, Sarasota, & Bradenton

Cinco de Mayo 

Thursday - May 4th, 2023 

8:00Am to 5:30PM | $69

Pick up locations: St. Pete, & Bradenton

PUNTA GORDA

North naples / bonita springs.

Thursday - May 18th, 2023

Pick up locations: Venice, & Port Charlotte 

Thursday - May 25th, 2023 

Pick up locations: Sarasota, Venice, Punta Gorda, & North Naples/Bonita Springs

BOOK A PRIVATE BUS TOUR

Contact us at [email protected] or call our Box Office at 816-352-0975 to book your private tour! You do need to sell 50 seats, we provide the guides, the bus, the driver, and all the fun games! 

Have any questions?

If you have any questions and would like to reach out to us, click the button below to send us an email. 

Terms of use for website and print content. The Happy Thrifter retains the copyright of all photographs, digital images and written material produced and any form of website design and content, including the category and sub-category system and any object and materials published by The Happy Thrifter for it's resale guides and resale shopping bus tours (mystery). The Happy Thrifter is a legally protected trademark and/or service mark and may not be used without authorization. Contact our webmaster for more information [email protected]  

Copyright © 2022 ThriftShoppingTourism.com - All Rights Reserved.

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• Grand Rapids/Muskegon
• Saginaw/Bay City
• All Michigan

A party bus that stops at thrift stores? Its next destination is West Michigan

• Updated: Sep. 08, 2023, 10:35 a.m. |
• Published: Sep. 08, 2023, 10:30 a.m.

50 people from across the state bought tickets aboard the thrifting party bus in Traverse City last month. The first event sold out in only ten days. (Photo provided to MLive by Virginia Barnidge)

• Skyla Jewell-Hammie | [email protected]

KENT COUNTY, MI - Shoppers looking to get more bang for their buck while supporting the community can look forward to a vintage event taking local thrift and consignment stores by storm.

Thrifting Bus Tours is hosting its third-ever Michigan event on Sept. 22 for those looking to shop till they drop. The bus boards in Grand Rapids before spending the day at various vintage and consignment stores in Lansing.

Floridian Virginia Barnidge launched the party bus tour business about five years ago in Southwest Flordia before expanding to Michigan this year.

“One of the ladies that came on one of my bus tours lives in Ludington, so when she went home this summer, we started doing trips,” Barnidge told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. “We have hostesses all over Florida and they complete trips from where they live to different destinations.”

Barnidge said the upcoming trips across Michigan are perfect for people looking to do something fun with their friends and look for bargains while supporting the locals. She said she was inspired by a woman who started it in Ohio 30 years ago.

“It’s been exploding, which is wonderful,” she said. “What’s cool about this is when they buy things, it’s supporting the community we’re visiting. So, it’s helping domestic violence shelters, pet rescues and all kinds of places. It’s incredible and a very exciting thing.”

Since expanding Thrifting Bus Tours to Michigan, Barnidge said she has been training “Directors of Fun” -- hostesses from Detroit and Grand Rapids -- to schedule more tours across the state.

On every trip, breakfast, drinks, snacks and lunch are provided. Additionally, guests 21 and over are able to bring their own alcoholic beverages in small coolers with freezer packs. Winery stops are not included and range between $10-$12 for a wine flight.

The first tour in Traverse City sold out in only ten days, she said. About 50 passengers boarded the luxury coach bus for a day full of thrifting, a winery, a catered lunch, and games to win prizes. The next sold-out event takes shoppers to thrift stores in Kent County.

Tickets range from $79-$81 and can be purchased here .

“My favorite part of the whole thing is watching what everybody is buying at the checkout,” she told MLive. “You’ll see people with their arms just full of stuff. I always tell them, ‘We can fit it on the bus if they can fit it in their car when they get home.’”

The next event boards in Grand Rapids on Sept. 22. Pictured is the undercarriage from a past trip filled to the brim with vintage finds. (Photo provided to MLive by Virginia Barnidge)

From January to the end of July, Barnidge said the bus tours reached $100,000 in sales and about $5,000 with the first Michigan trip. She said she just started the option of bringing donations on the bus to give back to local thrift stores.

The next trip boards on Sept. 22 in Grand Rapids before heading out to Lansing. At 8 a.m. sharp, the first boarding stop is at West Grand Rapids AMC Theater in Walker and, at 8:30 a.m., at the 28th Street Meijer in East Grand Rapids.

Guests will be able to go to at least five different local thrift stores and have a catered Chick-fil-A lunch. Return times are tentatively from 5-6 p.m., depending on traffic.

“There’s no boring moment on the trip, it’s nonstop entertainment,” she said. “It’s just so much fun for people looking for something to do with friends.”

To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit https://thriftingbustours.com/michigan-tours .

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free “ 3@3 Grand Rapids ” daily newsletter.

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Moscow Metro 2019

Will it be easy to find my way in the Moscow Metro? It is a question many visitors ask themselves before hitting the streets of the Russian capital. As metro is the main means of transport in Moscow – fast, reliable and safe – having some skills in using it will help make your visit more successful and smooth. On top of this, it is the most beautiful metro in the world !

. There are over 220 stations and 15 lines in the Moscow Metro. It is open from 6 am to 1 am. Trains come very frequently: during the rush hour you won't wait for more than 90 seconds! Distances between stations are quite long – 1,5 to 2 or even 3 kilometers. Metro runs inside the city borders only. To get to the airport you will need to take an onground train - Aeroexpress.

RATES AND TICKETS

Paper ticket A fee is fixed and does not depend on how far you go. There are tickets for a number of trips: 1, 2 or 60 trips; or for a number of days: 1, 3 days or a month. Your trips are recorded on a paper ticket. Ifyou buy a ticket for several trips you can share it with your traveling partner passing it from one to the other at the turnstile.

On every station there is cashier and machines (you can switch it to English). Cards and cash are accepted. 1 trip - 55 RUB 2 trips - 110 RUB

Tickets for 60 trips and day passes are available only at the cashier's.

60 rides - 1900 RUB

1 day - 230 RUB 3 days - 438 RUB 30 days - 2170 RUB.

The cheapest way to travel is buying Troyka card . It is a plastic card you can top up for any amount at the machine or at the ticket office. With it every trip costs 38 RUB in the metro and 21 RUB in a bus. You can get the card in any ticket office. Be prepared to leave a deposit of 50 RUB. You can get it back returning the card to the cashier.

SamsungPay, ApplePay and PayPass cards.

One turnstile at every station accept PayPass and payments with phones. It has a sticker with the logos and located next to the security's cabin.

GETTING ORIENTED

At the platfrom you will see one of these signs.

It indicates the line you are at now (line 6), shows the direction train run and the final stations. Numbers below there are of those lines you can change from this line.

In trains, stations are announced in Russian and English. In newer trains there are also visual indication of there you are on the line.

To change lines look for these signs. This one shows the way to line 2.

There are also signs on the platfrom. They will help you to havigate yourself. (To the lines 3 and 5 in this case). 

Officials: Bus driver, 7 students hurt after charter buses crash on I-85 in Gaston County

The crash happened on i-85 north near the east ozark avenue exit..

GASTONIA, N.C. (WBTV) - Two charter buses carrying a total of 85 students were involved in a crash on I-85 in Gaston County on Friday morning, the Gastonia Police Department said.

Officials said the crash was reported around 9:45 a.m. on the northbound side near the exit to East Ozark Avenue.

Police stated that due to heavy traffic the first bus applied the breaks, but the other bus driver could not stop their bus fast enough and rear-ended the bus in front. The second bus left the roadway and ran into the woods during the crash.

The buses were carrying approximately 85 students and 21 chaperones from Gettys Middle School in Pickens County, S.C., to Carowinds for a field trip.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by WBTV News (@wbtv_news)

A spokesperson from the School District of Pickens County said seven students and a bus driver were taken to the hospital. None of the injuries are said to be serious.

The Gastonia Police Department stated that the bus driver was cited for failure to reduce speed.

Parents and guardians of students involved in the crash have been notified.

The NC Department of Transportation said one lane had been closed in the area, but it has since reopened.

Download the free WBTV News app for updates and breaking news.

Watch continuous news coverage here:

Copyright 2024 WBTV. All rights reserved.

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