Our Family Spent A Whole Day Inside This Mississippi Thrift Store And Still Missed Aisles

We only stopped because one of the kids needed a cheap pair of shoes and the parking lot looked easy. Six hours later, we were still wandering, arms full and stomachs growling, with whole sections we had not even reached.

Mississippi has plenty of big secondhand shops, but this one turned a quick errand into a family adventure. For parents who want an affordable day out that also gives back to local youth, it is a stop to plan around.

A Youth For Christ Shop on Pass Road

Tucked along Pass Road in Gulfport, Thrift Mart sits at 345 Pass Rd, a short drive from the Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches many families already visit. From the street, it reads like a plain storefront.

Step inside, though, and the space keeps unfolding.

The store is run in connection with Youth For Christ, which is why locals sometimes call it the YFC Thrift Mart. Shoppers often mention that their purchases help young people in the area.

That gives a simple shopping trip a little extra meaning, especially when kids are along for the ride.

So what exactly do you find here? A blend of donated goods and liquidation stock, spread across furniture, clothing, toys, small appliances, and odds and ends of every kind.

Regulars describe it as a place where the inventory shifts constantly, so no two visits look quite the same.

For families, the location is handy. Gulfport is easy to reach from Interstate 10, and the store fits neatly into a beach weekend or a rainy-day backup plan.

Parents get bargains, kids get a treasure hunt, and the money stays close to home, supporting local youth programs.

Shopping That Supports Local Kids

Every receipt here does double duty. Visitors frequently point out that the money from purchases goes toward helping youth in the Gulfport area, and that connection is part of why many shoppers keep coming back.

Donations power much of the store. Neighbors drop off clothes, shoes, toys, and household items, which then make their way to the sales floor.

One regular explained that funds also support church efforts and various charities and organizations in the community.

That story is a helpful teaching moment for kids. Children can bring a bag of outgrown clothes or toys to donate, then shop for something new to them.

It turns the idea of giving back into something they can see and touch, rather than just hear about.

Parents often say they feel good shopping and donating here because the benefit stays local. On a trip to the coast, that can be a nice change from big chain stores.

You leave with a few finds and the knowledge that the dollars helped someone nearby.

Talking through the mission in the car on the way over can make the whole visit more meaningful for older kids.

Furniture Rows Worth an Hour on Their Own

Sofas, dressers, dining sets, and sectionals fill a big portion of the floor. Many shoppers name furniture as the main reason they come, and some have spotted well-known brands like Bassett, Ashley, and Broyhill tucked among the pieces.

One shopper described giving up on online marketplace hunting, with its endless messages and deposit requests, and finding what they needed here in a single afternoon. That kind of in-person browsing appeals to families furnishing a first apartment, a kid’s room, or a coastal rental.

Quality varies, so a careful eye matters. Some regulars treat the store as a source for project pieces, picturing what a dresser could become after sanding, staining, or a few tightened screws.

Others have been less pleased with condition, so sitting on, opening, and testing everything before paying is smart.

Kids enjoy this section more than you might guess. Bouncing between chairs and imagining a dream bedroom keeps them busy while parents compare options.

Measure your space before you go and bring photos. With rows this deep, it is easy to fall for something that will not fit through the front door at home.

Racks Upon Racks of Clothing

Leather jackets, swimsuits, kids’ play clothes, and everything in between hang across a large stretch of the store. Shoppers mention that the clothing selection is sizable, which is exactly where our day started slipping away from us.

One visitor found a brand new, good-label bathing suit for about $10, saying a similar one would cost around $50 at a regular retailer. Another spotted a leather jacket worth photographing.

Those stories capture the fun: patience can pay off with a genuinely nice piece.

Prices on clothing can be a mixed bag. Some shoppers say certain tags feel fair while others seem high, and the common advice is to keep looking rather than grabbing the first option.

Weekly discounts and sales can help even things out.

For families, the clothing section is a smart way to handle fast-growing kids. Beach trips also have a way of revealing forgotten swimsuits or a missing cover-up, and a quick stop here can fix that without a mall trip.

Give each child a small budget and a mission, like one shirt and one pair of shorts. It keeps browsing focused and fun.

The Amazon Returns Corner

Here is a detail many first-timers miss: not everything is donated. Alongside the secondhand goods, Thrift Mart carries Amazon return liquidation items, which helps explain why the store can feel like two shops in one.

One regular broke it down simply. Donated items cover clothes, shoes, toys, and household basics, while the liquidation merchandise runs a bit higher.

Still, that shopper noted items around $7.99, which many families would call a solid price for new or nearly new goods.

This mix is part of why browsing takes so long. You might pass a rack of vintage shirts, then turn a corner and find boxed products that look like they came off a delivery truck last week.

The surprise factor keeps kids curious about what is coming next.

A practical tip is to check condition and packaging carefully, since return items can vary. Open boxes when allowed and make sure all the pieces are there.

Parents planning birthdays or stocking up on household items may find this section especially handy. It blends the hunt of thrifting with the convenience of newer merchandise, often in the same visit.

Toys, Treasures, and Odds and Ends

Our youngest vanished for twenty minutes and resurfaced holding a toy we had never heard of. That sums up the miscellaneous aisles, where toys, decor, kitchen items, and curiosities share shelf space.

Shoppers describe a large variety of items, with some saying the store always seems to have something that fits whatever project they have in mind. Others call it a hit-or-miss experience, which is honestly part of the appeal.

You never know which visit will produce the big find.

Frequent visitors talk about scoring treasures again and again. One called it a favorite place to hunt on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Not everyone agrees, and a few shoppers feel some shelves look like leftovers from a yard sale.

For kids, this is the most exciting part of the building. Hand them a small budget and let them make their own choices.

Deciding between two toys teaches value in a way that feels like a game.

Bring a reusable bag for the little stuff. Small items pile up quickly, and juggling a basket, a toddler, and a lamp at the same time gets tricky.

Friendly Faces Behind the Counter

Helpful staff came up more than any other topic when we looked into this store. Shoppers mention team members by name, describing warm greetings, patient answers, and a sense that employees care about customers as people.

Several visitors highlighted friendly register workers, while others praised the crew for helping locate items and answering questions about furniture. One shopper even said they had not experienced customer service like this in a long time.

Experiences are not universal. A handful of shoppers felt brushed off by certain staff, and a regular gently reminded others that employees work hard, often in the coastal heat.

A smile and some patience on both sides seem to go a long way.

For parents, friendly staff can make a long visit much easier. Asking where the kids’ clothes or toys are located saves time and keeps little legs from tiring out.

It is also a nice chance to model good manners. Encourage kids to say thank you at checkout or when someone helps carry something to the car.

Those small moments often stick with children longer than the items they bought.

Delivery Help for Big Finds

Fitting a couch into a minivan packed with beach chairs and kids is nobody’s idea of fun. Thankfully, Thrift Mart offers delivery for larger purchases, a perk several shoppers specifically appreciated.

One family bought two items and had them brought out, later praising the delivery team as courteous, polite, and willing to go beyond expectations. Another shopper described the delivery rate as nominal and fair, which makes a difference when furnishing a home.

Delivery is charged as an extra fee, so factor that into the total cost. Ask about scheduling, coverage area, and what happens if something arrives in poor condition.

Having those answers upfront avoids headaches later.

For families relocating to the Gulf Coast or setting up a vacation rental, this service can be a real time saver. You can shop at a relaxed pace, choose what you need, and let someone else handle the heavy lifting.

Measure doorways, hallways, and stairs before buying anything bulky. Snap a photo of the item’s tag and dimensions too.

That small step saves frustration and keeps the day focused on discovery instead of logistics.

Hours, Phone, and Planning a Long Visit

Monday through Friday, doors open at 9 am and close at 6:30 pm. Saturday runs shorter, from 9 am to 5 pm, and the store is closed on Sunday.

Plan accordingly, because a weekday visit gives you the most time to wander.

Questions about sales, donations, or delivery can go to the store directly at 228-864-0788. The website, yfcthriftmart.com, is another place to check before heading out.

Our biggest lesson was simple: budget more time than you think. We arrived mid-morning and still left aisles untouched at closing.

Pack water and snacks for the car, and plan a lunch break nearby so little ones can recharge.

Divide and conquer if you have multiple adults. One parent can tackle furniture while another browses clothing and toys with the kids, then swap.

Texting photos of finds keeps everyone in the loop.

Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers, since coastal weather can be warm. A small notebook or phone list of needed items, with measurements, helps keep the hunt organized when the selection starts to feel endless.

Our Take After a Full Day of Browsing

Tired feet, a full trunk, and a list of aisles we never reached. That was how our day ended, and the kids were already asking when we could come back.

Thrift Mart is not perfect. Prices can run higher than some thrift fans expect, condition varies, and big purchases call for careful inspection.

Families who go in with patience, a budget, and realistic expectations will likely have the best time.

What makes it appealing for parents is the combination. You get a huge mix of furniture, clothing, toys, and liquidation goods, plus friendly staff, delivery options, and a mission that supports local youth.

Few errands manage to be practical, educational, and a little adventurous all at once.

Visiting the Mississippi Gulf Coast with kids? Consider tucking a few hours here into a rainy afternoon or a slow weekday.

Let children donate something, choose something, and learn how their dollars help others nearby.

Just do not expect to see everything in one trip. Constantly shifting inventory means the store you leave in the evening may look different by next week, which is half the fun.