Short Version: This is a pickier version of a thrift store…read more If you enjoy secondhand items and are okay with higher prices to ensure that you're choosing from good-quality items (instead of sorting through all of the junk), the Main Street Exchange is going to be perfect for you. However, the prices are definitely higher than standard thrift store prices. Long Version: This is like the higher-scale version of a thrift store. While I love shopping at thrift stores and picking up items for less than a dollar, it really does require some digging to find things that are in good shape and are something that I really want to purchase. I'm glad that most thrift stores carry the lower-quality items because everybody has their own budget and price range, but I'm looking for second-hand things that don't look so...secondhand. That's where The Main Street Exchange comes in. They are like a high-end thrift store. All of the pieces are sorted through when they accept them, and it looks like they're choosey about what items come into the shop. The clothing all appeared to be in good condition, and the furniture, DVDs, and books all seemed like they were still in "Good" to "Very Good" condition. While typical thrift stores may have dusty, dirty, or broken items, everything seemed to be well-cleaned and in very good shape here. However, along with that comes higher prices. You'll be more likely to find something you actually want to buy (versus a thrift store), but you might have to pay a bit more for the convenience. Nothing seemed insanely unreasonably priced, though, but I'll admit I didn't pay much attention to the clothing. This store sells a good range of things. They have a lot of clothing, and that makes up the bulk of their items, but they also have a book section with adult and children's books. They also have dinnerware and other knick knacks. Downstairs, you'll find some furniture and children's toys. Some of the furniture is on the affordable side ($10 for end tables and whatnot) while the larger pieces definitely cost more ($120-ish for a large wood dresser). I came out with 5 books in really good condition for slightly over $4. Most of the books were priced at 99 cents or 1.99. DVDs were priced around $1.99 to $2.99. Staff was pretty friendly. They were cleaning and putting away things when I came, but when I asked where to check out, one of the employees was happy to point me to where. She even mentioned their current promotion in case I wanted to go get another book for just a penny. I passed, but it was nice of her to let me know that. As a sidenote, there does seem to be a Christian, religious theme going on in this store. There's even a Christian quote printed on the receipt I received. It's nothing that's going to annoy a non-religious person, but there are religious items and books for sale alongside the regular items.

Great place to consign but they are particular which makes them an even greater place to shop!read more

Short Version: Very-cute little store of vintage and upcycled items. Everything is extremely clean…read moreand in good condition. Surprisingly great prices. Lots of chalk-painted furniture. Very friendly owner, and she collects/redesigns/repaints the items herself. Definitely lots of cute stuff here. Directions and Hours: This store is ONLY OPEN the first Thursday through Saturday of every month. The first day needs to fall before the Thursday of that week. (For example, if April started on Friday, the store wouldn't be open until the proceeding week. If April started on Monday, it would be open that week). The store is located BEHIND Simpson's Furniture on Main Street. It's a bit tricky to find, but you'll end up seeing a tiny sign on the property. Turn onto E 23rd street, and even when it turns into gravel, KEEP GOING. Go until the gravel "ends" then turn right. You'll quickly see Hatchlings and Hen's signage. The store itself is down the driveway. Long Version: This is a neat, home-run type of store. As far as I can tell, it seems to be a small shop in a workshop. The directions above will help you find it. The area feels like shopping a garage sale - but in a cute and fun type of way. No bathrooms or anything because of that. Hatchlings and Hens sells a variety of neat, repurposed and vintage-esque type of items. It looks like a lot of items were repainted or cleaned up in order to be sold, and the owner does a surprising job of finding fantastic sets. For example, there was a kitchen table with a matching 4 chairs available for purchase (only $175 for the set! I would have bought it if I needed a kitchen set). There were also other sets like matching bird decor or awesome wall art. There was some industrial-type of furniture and whatnot too - as well as industrial salvage that might help you out if you were looking to do some DIY for yourself. I didn't end up purchasing anything today, but I plan on coming back in the future. The owner was super friendly, and I really did fall in love with a coupe things that I can't quite think of a place for at the moment. I'm looking forward to seeing how the stock and everything changes from month-to-month.

I hosted a baby shower and onesie making party here today. Katie was so patient and kind and the…read moretore is adorable. It is a must-see shopping gem in Cedar Falls. Tons of adorable thins at affordable prices!

Selection is great but service is phenomenal!! I can't remember her name, it's different but she…read moreis why too young to be so knowledgeable!! Great place!

Cool vibe and looked like a great selection of used and new. They rotate their stock frequently…read more Prices seemed reasonable too. It's always cool to see the vintage records of one's youth. :) The staff seemed really helpful. Drinks were offered as soon as we walked in. If you're into vinyl, stop in.

Good selection of Ariat boots and very good customer service for correct fit of your boots.read more

- Morgan I love, love, love this place. The owners are great…read morepeople, and their services are great too! It's friendly while there are great western products such as Ariat, Tony Lama, Twisted X, Justin, Cinch, and Cruel. They have great and wide selections of beautiful jeans, belts, and shirts. My favorite are their wide selection of unique and stylish western footwear. You guys have to check out this store located 3574 West Shaulis Road Waterloo, IA 50701.

We absolutely loved this little thrift store!…read more Reasonable prices. Nice displays. It had the feel of a TJ Maxx. Marshall's, or Ross'. You knew you were in a thrift store, but it had that clean retail feel to it. If you're a treasure hunter or avid thrifter this place is worth your time. We were there over Summer break so it's hard to tell how the school year impacts their inventory. It's a college town.

I love this store. Very clean and bright. Items are clean, in very good shape and reasonably…read morepriced. I will definitely be shopping there often!

They were very helpful and got me the exact jewellery I was looking for. I am very happy with their…read moreservice and everyone there was very kind

Mohair Pear rules! It's a rad vintage clothing store that also sells, everything from records, to…read moreshoes, to piercing supplies, to toys, to glasses, gag gifts etc. It's designed really well and you just feel like your entering a fun house every time you walk in! You can also rent vintage suites or cloths so if you want to stand out at Halloween or Prom, this is your spot to go! If I was ever going to go to prom again, (not likely as a 34 year old dude with grey hair) I would totally come here, rent a suite, buy a wig, get some cool glasses, buy some record to practice dancing and maybe even pierce my nose so I don't look to wierd! Heck I might go do that anyway for the fun of it! The staff here is awesome and they have been here for years making the Hill in Cedar Falls there home for fun! They consign local records as well, so if you are in a band they will sell your music! How cool is that! Keep up the goodness here!

Called Merry about getting my sons baby blanket mended. When we arrived she greeted us as soon as…read morewe walked in. She went above and beyond for our family. I cannot say enough about how polite she was. After spending just a few minutes looking at the quilts she has made you immediately realize Merry is a skilled artisan.

Tucked kind of in the middle of nowhere, but close to a lot of places. A nice, big, bright shop…read morewith TONS of awesome fabrics, displays, samples, and more precuts and kits than I've seen just about anywhere! I will be a repeat again and again!

This is a used bookstore that presents like a new one. Everything is organized, clean and shelved…read more Nothing is tattered and the prices are pretty darn amazing. Most of the novels I picked up were $4.99 and in excellent condition. You might not find a deep discount bargain here but you also won't have to search through dusty stacks on the floor.

Books on Main is the "used books" version of The Nook bookstore (that only sells new books) across…read morethe street. They have similar availability and stylization between both stores. Impressively low prices (between $4 to $12 for most books I saw) with books in pretty solid shape. Honestly, after I saw a few books go for $18 at The Nook and then $8 over here, I'm not sure why you'd buy at The Nook (though the Nook was awesome too). Didn't see any stained covers or bent pages; the spines of the books are clearly "used" (no new book smells) here, but they're in really good shape. Staff was really friendly but left us alone to shop. I ended up picking up a few books, and I was happy to receive them in a cute brown paper bag as well (which I used to take out recycling today!). If you shop at Books on Main, you get a 10% coupon off a coffee across the street at the Reader Cafe (which is attached to Books on Main). Books on Main does not have a bathroom in it (unlike the Cafe and The Nook across the street). It is, however, attached to Raygun at the back of the store, allowing you to shop two stores without having to pop back outside. As a single semi-large room, the books here are very focused on popular fiction niches. You get lots of mystery thrillers, romance, and romantasy books. There's a very small section of cookbooks, non-fiction, and SciFi, but it's relatively clear that this book is focusing most on what sells best (i.e. your BookTok genres). Would come back in an instant.