Commonly Found Items

Hey there,

Here's a quick hit-list of things that you are more-likely-than-not to find on your next thrifting trip. 


If it's on this list, consider thrifting it before buying it new! I hope this helps you to be reasonably reassured that you'll find what you're looking for in Zürich's thrift shops with ease. ;)

If it's not on this list, you still may find it - but these are the items that I would always bet on being able to find. :) Good luck!



For the Kitchen / Dining Room:
  • fondue plates with the little divisions, often in really funky 60's and 70's colours
  • fondue caquelons
  • fondue forks
  • glass jugs and pitchers
  • wine decanters (it wouldn't take very long or very many trips to find a nice one you like)
  • all glasses of all descriptions (wine, champagne, high-ball, whiskey, juice....)
  • zopf-shaped bread boards, and round cheese boards (often hand-painted, traditionally)
  • wire fruit baskets
  • tongs (and the small ones for tea bags)
  • strainer-spoons (not sure what to call them - skimmers?) and slotted spoons
  • small strainers, and often bigger colanders
  • cookie cutters
  • silver-look serving chargers and trays (trays in general)
  • teapots
  • white and off-white linen-blend or high-quality tablecloths (hint: buy a whitening agent the next time you visit the Apotheke! I like Dr. Beckmann Super Weiss)
  • vintage-printed tea towels (souvenir ones from travels are quite common to find)

For the Home / Garden:
  • small plant pots (i.e. orchid pots and the like)
  • watering cans
  • candle holders (for tealights, primarily)
  • Christmas tree stands
  • Christmas and Easter decorations (year-round)
  • matchbooks
  • screwdrivers, hammers and small tools
  • obviously an endless assortment of records, CDs, books and videos, though whether any of them appeal to you is a different issue altogether!
  • stationery and office odds-and-bobs (like rulers)
  • those big earthenware mustard or schnaps 'jars' (I keep thinking that if I was redecorating, I could grow an entire balcony garden out of these!)
  • bedding
  • towels (though rarely a good deal - I would buy these new. Even as rags, they'd be pricey. Facecloths and hand towels may be an exception, however, esp. at Brockiland. Price-check!)
  • vintage aprons
  • wall-mountable decorative plates (they're ubiquitous!)
  • knitting needles and sewing needles
  • ugly plastic step-stools
  • plastic containers and laundry hampers (Brockiland Wiedikon esp.)
  • walking sticks (canes), crutches and umbrellas
  • many, many articles of clothing from which to fashion any number of Halloween costumes!

Furniture:
  • wardrobes
  • old lamps (standing, or table-top), esp. torchieres
  • wooden dining chairs
  • entire dining room sets
  • desks

If you're bored and up for a challenge, see if you can find everything on this list at one of the brocki's in Zürich! And do comment to let me know how you got on! :)

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