By Rowan Rocskar
If you love thrift shopping as much as Emilie and I do, you have to check out what Lacombe County has to offer! We spent a day shopping in the Lacombe Region, exploring charming local boutiques, and discovering sustainable second-hand stores, which made the drive from Calgary totally worth it.
Come along as I share all the cool, sustainable finds from our Lacombe shopping day—plus the amazing local spots we visited in the Village of Alix, the Village of Clive, and the City of Lacombe.
✍️ Disclaimer: Lacombe Regional Tourism invited Rowan from Rowan Explores to explore thrift shops in the area with Emilie, and Rowan has shared this amazing 1-day itinerary that the Lacombe team prepared. All opinions are our own. Lacombe County municipality is situated on Treaty 6 lands, the traditional and ancestral territory of the peoples of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux, as well as the Métis.
But why Even Plan a Day trip thrifting?
Besides the thrill of finding treasure and saving money, thrift shopping:
- reduces waste,
- supports local communities and charities and
- offers you the chance to give something unique a second life!
💡 Important: Before you head to any small town or village, check their days and hours of operation! We visited Lacombe’s local businesses on a Friday between 10am to 4pm, and everything was operational for us!
Stop 1: Village of Alix
Alix is located East of Lacombe and is a two-hour drive from Calgary. We left the city around 8:30 a.m. and arrived just after the Alix Village Shoppe opened at 10 a.m.
Alix Village Shoppe
This small-town thrift store is packed with great finds and even better prices. Puzzles are only $2, and they have a massive selection of books and games!
Kids clothing ranges from $1-$5 per item, and a snow suit only costs $6!
After you’ve tired from treasure hunting, head down the street to see the Alix Gator, the village’s mascot!
Stop 2: Village of Clive
From Alix, head West to find the quaint Village of Clive surrounded by farm fields. Clive is a small village with less than 800 people!
Elite Treasure Chest
The Elite Treasure Chest thrift store is entirely volunteer-run and returns all proceeds to the community. The volunteers who worked there were so helpful and kind. I managed to snag some new silicone oven mitts and steel tongs for just $2!
Prairie Fire Cafe & Lounge
Our day of thrifting happened to fall on Pi Day (March 14), so we had to stop at Prairie Fire Cafe, located in a 100-year-old historic hotel, to grab some famous Saskatoon berry pie! It was as delicious as it looked!
Stop 3: City of Lacombe
Despite becoming an official city in 2010, Lacombe still maintains its great small-town feel and has many cute shops and restaurants! If you’re looking for more to do in the area, check out this 2-day summer itinerary and discover even more things to do here.
Milly Oak Cafe
Milly Oak Cafe offers many to-go options and a sit-down restaurant with a full menu and was the perfect place to stop for lunch. The cafe owners are inspired by local producers and fresh ingredients and driven by quality food, and it shows! We chose one of Milly’s classics, the Cinnamon Bun Sandwich and an eggs benedict!
Building Blocks Thrift Store
Another non-profit thrift store, Building Blocks, has a huge selection of home goods, adult and kids clothing, books, and more! Their prices are much lower than most thrift stores in big cities like Calgary, so be sure to check it out if you’re visiting Lacombe! I got some cork hot plates, a glass bread pan, a stapler and four books for just $7!
And Everything Nice Antiques
And Everything Nice Antiques is beautifully curated and situated in a lovely old home built in 1938. If you are an antique collector or simply looking for the perfect gift, their ever-changing selection will have you returning time and time. You’ll also find something interesting in every corner.
They offer a wide selection of rare china, jewelry, antiques, fur coats, as well as hand made soaps, candles, and gourmet chocolates from Canmore. I bought some soaps to gift to my family, and the ingredients are great!
Good Company Eco Store & Refillery
We were happy to stumble upon Good Company Eco Store, located downtown in the basement below Oodles of Chocolates. Good Company has a huge selection of sustainable home and personal care products and tons of zero-waste refillable goods like shampoo, conditioner, and lotions.
I was happy to find some felted soap on sale and some Canadian-made natural deodorant to try!
Amazing Wonders Emporium
We were sure happy we were kid-free when we entered Amazing Wonders Emporium, which is filled with collectable toys, Pokemon, Dungeons and Dragons and games! It’s located in the Lacombe Centre shopping mall.
Juff-E-Nuff
If you like vintage cars, this place is for you! Juff-E-Nuff has a huge selection of antiques and collectables, Hot Wheels, Diecast and vintage toys like Cabbage Patch, Barbie, and Disney. There is so much to see, so give yourself time to explore!
On May 25, 2025 they are hosting a Grand Opening Show & Shine Car Show, and you can learn all about the event here!
Final Thoughts: Sustainable Shopping in Lacombe County, Central Alberta
Lacombe County has a lot to offer when it comes to thrift and antique shopping! If you’re looking to plan a fun day trip with a friend, we would recommend checking out the shops we cover in this article.
If you’re looking for more to do in the area, check out this 2-day summer itinerary and discover even more things to do here!
- Ellis Nature Centre: bird sanctuary
- Deep Roots Garlic Farm: regenerative farm & farm store
- Abbey Centre: outdoor pool and indoor climbing structure for kids
- Billyco Junction: organic U-pick farm
- Rose & Holly: locally sourced and handcrafted products as well as workshops
- Mary & Cliff Soper Natural Area: nature preservation & hiking
- Kraay Family Farm: fun for the whole family during spring, summer and fall
👉 We’d love to hear about your greatest thrift find!
