If you ever find yourself cruising toward Modesto and you're on the hunt for vintage clothes, Y2K scores, or that one piece that makes your entire outfit hit harder, I found the spot for you.
And no, it won't destroy your bank account like some other “vintage” shops that we've been to!
Ambition Vintage Modesto
Ambition Vintage is one of Modesto's latest and greatest hidden gems and if you're from Turlock and serious about thrifting, this needs to be on your radar immediately. We (here in Turlock) have a lot of thrift shops and antique stores, but we have nothing like Ambition Vintage.
The store feels new with restocks coming in almost weekly, fresh with a clean and welcoming environment, and INSANELY curated with all pieces picked by hand… but the passion behind it all? Over a decade in the making.
Built on Years of Pop-Ups, Not Just Hype or Good Luck
The owner, Megan Knoll, didn't just wake up one day and decide to open a shop. She's been selling online and vendoring at pop-up events ranging all over California. She started her shop instagram back in 2018 but has been selling since before some of her current shoppers were even in middle school.
She worked other jobs while attending these popups but December 2018, was her first time Megan fully went all out and trusted this reselling journey. Selling over 200 items in her first month was just what she needed to give her the faith to follow her ambitions.
One thing about Megan is that she knows trends before they cycle back around, knows which pieces are worth investing in and knows what’s about to blow up on TikTok before it hits your “For You Page.” And more than that? She’s intentional. She has a purpose and a goal that is worth taking notes.
Her goal has always been to create a safe, positive, welcoming shopping space, somewhere you can try on that bold Y2K fit without feeling judged. Somewhere you can experiment with your style and actually have fun doing it. She has such a way with not just customers but with people in general that makes everyone feel like the main character in their own movie.
That energy is a huge part of why younger shoppers from Turlock, Modesto and Merced keep coming back.
What You'll Actually Find Here
If your Pinterest board includes any of the following: baby tees, low-rise jeans, 90s oversized denim, vintage Harley or band tees, mini skirts with chunky boots, statement outerwear and many more…you’re going to love it here.
Everything is curated. This isn't “dig through 50 racks to find one good thing” thrifting but instead it's pre-selected gems. And the prices? Shockingly fair for the quality and nostalgia.
That’s her winning equation: good quality clothes + fair pricing + constant restocks = happy customers!
Megan has her clothes at, I would say, 75% of the store, with three other vendors selling inside. Two are other resellers like Megan, but focuses more on men’s clothing unlike her “fem” style pieces. The other in-store vendors are close friends of mine (LoveMorgue) where they create their own clothes by airbrushing, silk screening and collaging. A lot of grungy/punk style pieces come from their spot so if you're interested in that genre of fashion, make sure you check their spot out.
The Sales Feel Like 2007 Black Friday
Let’s talk about the sales.
When Megan announces a sale, it doesn't feel like a small local promo. It feels like a cultural event. It is shared hundreds to thousands of times through their social media, if you're in the thrifting scene you've probably seen or heard of one of their crazy sales.
Lines wrap around the block. Groups of friends show up hours early. It's loud, it's exciting, it's chaotic in the best way possible. If you grew up hearing stories about the mid 2000’s Black Friday madness, this is that energy, but for vintage lovers.
And honestly? Modesto hasn’t seen that kind of retail excitement in a long time. There have been some copycats that I’ve seen but nothing comes close to the genuine rush only found at Ambition Vintage.
Ambition has Reached Merced!
Megan recently expanded to her second location (not to Turlock yet), but to Merced.
Her second store front opened at 1573 W 18th St, Merced, CA 95340 and it's already making noise. If you've been tapped into the Merced vintage scene, you probably have seen students at UC Merced wearing pieces from Megan. She helped bring serious energy and attention to the local thrift culture there and they have welcomed her with open arms and lots of excitement during her grand opening last month.
The Merced shop is open Thursday Monday from 11am 6pm, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
If you're in Turlock, it's about a 30-minute drive. Perfect excuse for a weekend coffee + thrift run.
Modesto Location Details
The Modesto shop is less than a year old, and it’s already thriving enough to support expansion, which says everything.
1057 W Orangeburg Ave, Modesto, CA 95350
Open Monday, Thursday & Friday 11am 6pm
Saturday & Sunday 11am 7pm
From Turlock, it's roughly a 20-minute drive from our location at Turlock Self Storage.
Why Turlock Shoppers Should Care
If you're a younger Turlock resident who loves local thrift culture, prefers curated vintage over fast fashion, wants unique pieces no one else on Main Street is wearing and actually enjoys the community side of shopping, Ambition Vintage is worth the trip.
It's inspiring to watch someone build something from years of pop-ups into a full-blown movement. The growth, the support, the loyalty is all organic. There's something motivating and inspiring about seeing that level of ambition turned into reality.
So if you haven't visited either shops yet, this is your sign to check them out and follow them on Instagram for the next sale drops!
If you're looking for some great deals, make sure you check out our current deals here at Turlock Self Storage. We’re proud to be recognized as Best in the 209, and as a thank-you to our community, we're offering:
● First-Year Price Guarantee
Call us today at (209) 934-1412, we'd love to help you!
