Woman Finds $3,000 Bottega Veneta Bag at Thrift Store for $8

A full-time reseller shares how her thrifting expertise helped her spot a high-end designer bag at a local thrift store.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Kristen Boelen, the founder of Lunch Break Vintage, was thrifting at a store in the San Francisco Bay Area when she came across two woven leather bags. Upon closer inspection, Boelen realized one of the bags was an authentic Bottega Veneta worth around $3,000, which she purchased for only $8. Boelen, an experienced thrifter, was able to authenticate the bag using online research and an app, and plans to keep the rare find for herself as a family heirloom.

Why it matters

This story highlights the potential value that can be found in thrift store shopping, especially for those with an eye for detail and experience in identifying high-quality, rare items. It also showcases how thrifting can be a viable business model, as Boelen has turned her passion for finding unique secondhand goods into a full-time reselling operation.

The details

Boelen, who has been thrifting since she could drive, was on her regular Wednesday visit to a thrift store in the San Francisco Bay Area when she came across two woven leather bags. While they initially looked like common Bottega Veneta dupes, Boelen noticed the exceptional quality of one of the bags, including the soft, slouchy leather and heavy hardware. Upon closer inspection, Boelen discovered the Bottega Veneta logo inside and used Google Lens to confirm it was an authentic, retired style worth around $3,000. Boelen quickly purchased the bag for $8 and had it authenticated through an app before deciding to keep it as a family heirloom.

  • In December 2025, Boelen was thrifting at a store in the San Francisco Bay Area on a Wednesday, which is when the store opens for the week.
  • Boelen discovered the Bottega Veneta bag during this particular thrifting trip.

The players

Kristen Boelen

The founder of Lunch Break Vintage, a full-time reselling business that Boelen started in February 2025 after previously working as an art director for a wine and spirits company.

Bottega Veneta

An Italian luxury fashion house known for its high-quality leather goods, including the woven leather bag that Boelen discovered at the thrift store.

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What they’re saying

“I thrift all the time because I now do this for a living, but I think consistency is key. I thrift at least three times a week, every week. It's also important not to just pick up what is trending. A good secondhand item has to check all the boxes for me, and I really care about quality, always looking for natural fibers. I focus on what makes people feel elevated and the kinds of secondhand pieces they can keep in their closets forever.”

— Kristen Boelen, Founder, Lunch Break Vintage (Business Insider)

What’s next

Boelen plans to keep the rare Bottega Veneta bag as a family heirloom, passing it down through generations.

The takeaway

This story showcases the potential value that can be found in thrift store shopping, especially for those with an eye for detail and experience in identifying high-quality, rare items. It also highlights how thrifting can be a viable business model, as Boelen has turned her passion for finding unique secondhand goods into a full-time reselling operation.