Thrift shop meets couture at Sally’s on 4th in Royal Oak

Rachel Moulden for Digital First Media

Designer brands, couture off the runway, and stylish fashion on a budget can be found at the thrift store Sally’s on 4th, in Downtown Royal Oak.

What makes Sally’s special is that it’s the only boutique out of all the 35 Salvation Army Stores located within Southeastern Michigan.

Majority of the store’s donations are high-end, hand-picked pieces from local donors. The location is quaint and merchandized, and unlike the other Salvation Army stores all of the clothes are organized by size. Sally’s on 4th is much smaller than other Salvation Army stores because of its selectiveness, its setup gives off a modest boutique look and feel.

Sally’s on 4th had its beginning five years ago as normal Salvation Army thrift store. Michelle Pittman, manager of Sally’s, says the store naturally evolved into a boutique because of the influx of designer brand donations being brought into the store on a regular basis.

Pittman has been involved with the store for two years now, but has been manager for a year.

“I have always had a passion for high-end fashion and thrift stores,” she says. “Before working at Sally’s, I used to work at a boutique store in Traverse City.”

The store has had a warm reception from the public.

“We have a consistent clientele as well as donations,” Pittman says. “We’ve been received very well in the community since the store fits the area of Downtown Royal Oak.”

Sally’s most recently celebrated its anniversary with a big sale in mid-May, but the store always has sales of 25 percent to 75 percent off almost every day.

“We have various daily and weekly sales, such as Senior Days, Military Days, Student-Teacher Days, Color Tag Sales, and many more,” Pittman says.

The sales help to fully fund the Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center, which provides services to men and women who are dealing with addiction.

Some of the store’s best-selling items are men’s clothing.

“Most of the Salvation Army stores don’t get a lot of men’s clothing donations or a substantial men’s section, but we get a lot of male shoppers and donators on a regular basis,” Pittman says. You can find couture items and popular brands such as Gucci, Manolo Blahnik, 7 for all Mankind, Burberry, Prada and other designer items.

Sally’s on 4th is at 114 E. Fourth St., and is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information about the store, call 248-542-6661 or visit salarmythrift.com/.