Goodwill Bins Outlets in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

When resellers in the Twin Cities talk about their paradise, they're talking about the north-metro Goodwill Outlet. It's a legendary spot, a truly massive warehouse space known far and wide for its breakneck pace and the unbelievable volume of merchandise flowing through it. Located out in Brooklyn Park, this single, sprawling building is jammed with over 100 of the famous blue Goodwill bins, and believe me, the action is non-stop. The key to the outlet's wild energy is its lightning-fast rotation schedule; fresh bins are swapped out onto the floor every 20 minutes on the dot. That means a whole new treasure hunt is always just moments away from starting. The environment is pretty professional and they are serious about their rules. You won't get in the door without gloves and closed-toe shoes, and the staff absolutely enforces a strict “hands off until the whistle” policy, which keeps things fair so no one gets a sneaky head start on a new row. The finds you'll dig up are a perfect mirror of Minnesota's corporate and cultural scene. Get ready to pull out vintage Vikings and Twins gear, brand-new merchandise samples and returns from Target’s headquarters just down the road, and a frankly surprising amount of sleek, Scandinavian-style housewares and decor from all the area’s downsizers. If you're a first-timer, you need a game plan. Carts are the first thing to vanish and are basically impossible to get your hands on after the opening rush. Just do what the regulars do: if you’re lucky enough to snag a cart, park it in a safe spot over by the weighing station, and then work the aisles with a few large, reusable tote bags. A really unique feature you'll only find at this Goodwill outlet is the flat-rate electronics table. Here, items are priced one-by-one instead of by the pound. It's a bit of a gamble, but you can often score untested laptops for about $20 and smartphones for just $5 a risk that can really pay off. For your best shot at that high-end corporate merch, try to pop in on a Wednesday morning, right after local businesses have made their weekly donation drops.