As someone whose go-to recommendation finder is TikTok, my For You page is constantly flooded with things happening around Nashville — from weekend pop-ups to new cafes opening every other week. During one of those late-night scrolls, I stumbled across a video from local influencer Lillian Claire featuring a new shop called Happy Thrift Store.
As two women who love both fitness and thrifting, we were instantly intrigued. The store sells high-quality secondhand athleisure — think Lululemon, Alo and Hoka — at a fraction of retail prices. After digging further, we knew that Happy Thrift deserved a deep dive into its story.
Located just a 15-minute drive from campus in Berry Hill, Happy Thrift Store is in a building that houses a variety of small businesses. Walking in, we were met with bright holiday decor and racks of carefully curated athletic wear. Shoes lined one wall — rows of nearly new On Clouds and Hokas — and the space felt as vibrant as its name suggests. Prices were pretty fair: Most items were in excellent condition and cost significantly less than what you would pay for retail.
After a quick browse, we sat down with owner and founder Ana Paola de Leon for an insightful conversation. Happy Thrift’s origins come from the sweetest start: de Leon’s love for her dog, Coco Chanel. Back in college at the University of Houston, de Leon would make the six-hour drive to visit her parents in Matamoros, Mexico, where she grew up. Boarding her dog was too expensive, so she got creative: She began trading thrifted Lululemon pieces to her roommate in exchange for dog-sitting.
“The word started spreading out at my sorority. My big started buying from me, and then my twin started buying and then my other sorority friends,” de Leon said. “By the end of the day, I was like, ‘Whoa, now I have a business.’”
De Leon pursued her athleisure curation on the side of her corporate job for three years, attending the Nashville Flea Market and hosting pop-ups around town while saving up to launch her dream store. A few months ago, she took the leap to turn it into a full-time business and pursue her passion to the fullest extent.
De Leon said she chose the name “Happy Thrift” for a simple reason: She likes to make people happy.
“It’s very satisfying to see that parents can come and find good brands at a good price, and they can make their daughters or themselves happy,” de Leon said.
De Leon said she especially enjoys fulfilling the wishes of those who usually cannot afford the type of high-end items that she sells.
“I know that buying a pair of leggings at the store could be $140, and not everybody can afford it. We all want to look pretty, and we all want to look fashionable,” de Leon said.
Happy Thrift operates on a buy-sell-trade model, giving customers the option to bring in their pre-loved pieces in exchange for cash or store credit. This system keeps the racks rotating with new items every week and makes thrifting feel both sustainable and fun.
In order to ensure quality in everything they sell, Happy Thrift does not accept any fast fashion brands. Instead, they focus on high-quality athleisure.
Even after just a few months, Happy Thrift is expanding. De Leon is adding a second room dedicated to lifestyle brands like Aritzia, Free People and YoungLA, offering a thrifting experience that’s more curated than chaotic.
De Leon is also leaning into community events and influencer collaborations. Her upcoming Influencer Closet Sale on Nov. 9 will feature Nashville creators and exclusive in-store discounts. Looking ahead, she said she hopes to host Latino-led fitness classes and outdoor markets in the store’s parking lot this spring.
“I want to promote fitness, diversity and culture,” de Leon said. “Imagine a Zumba class in Spanish with Bad Bunny playing — that’s the kind of energy I want to bring.”
While the journey hasn’t always been easy, de Leon’s optimism and drive are what keep her going. She shared that during her first week open, not a single customer walked in.
“I was very sad. I didn’t cry because I was like, ‘okay, this is part of the experience,’” de Leon said. “I just kept organizing and re-organizing the store, waiting for someone to come in.”
Then, finally, someone did and spent $200. Hearing her tell that story, we couldn’t help but smile. We had only just met her that day but felt genuinely proud of this stranger who had turned her dream into something real.
That same gratitude extends beyond her customers, as de Leon is quick to acknowledge the people who helped her along the way. She gives nods to her boyfriend, a fellow small businessman, and her parents for supporting her and her dreams.
“The best advice is to have somebody that believes in you,” de Leon said. “If they don’t believe in you, don’t worry. Somebody will. I promise somebody will.”
If you are looking for your next thrift find, a little dose of happiness or just a friendly face in Berry Hill, Happy Thrift Store is worth the visit. Who knows, you might just walk out with your new favorite pair of leggings and a smile.
