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

Kristen Boelen, founder of Lunch Break Vintage, shares her incredible thrifting find.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Kristen Boelen, the founder of Lunch Break Vintage, discovered an authentic Bottega Veneta bag worth $3,000 at a thrift store in the San Francisco Bay Area. She paid only $8 for the high-end designer purse, which she plans to keep and pass down for generations.

Why it matters

This story highlights the thrill and skill of thrifting, where savvy shoppers can uncover hidden gems at deeply discounted prices. It also showcases the enduring value and quality of luxury fashion items, even when found in unexpected places.

The details

While thrifting on her lunch break, Boelen spotted two woven leather bags and was immediately drawn to one that felt exceptionally well-made. After closer inspection, she realized it was an authentic Bottega Veneta bag. Boelen used Google Lens to confirm the bag's identity and had it authenticated through an app called Authentic Detective, which provided a certificate of authenticity. Despite some initial skepticism from commenters who found the bag unattractive, Boelen plans to keep the $3,000 purse for herself as a cherished heipiece.

  • In December 2025, Boelen was thrifting at a store in the San Francisco Bay Area on a Wednesday, which is the day the store opens for the week.
  • Boelen thrifts at least three times a week every week as part of her business, Lunch Break Vintage, which she began full-time in February 2025.

The players

Kristen Boelen

The founder of Lunch Break Vintage, a vintage clothing and accessories business. Boelen has been thrifting since she could drive and now does it as part of her full-time job.

Lunch Break Vintage

Boelen's vintage clothing and accessories business, which she began full-time in February 2025 after previously working as an art director for a wine and spirits company.

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What they’re saying

“I have been thrifting since the moment I could drive. Back then, I was into higher-end things that were out of my budget, and I'd go thrift shopping to find similar items that I could afford.”

— Kristen Boelen, Founder, Lunch Break Vintage (dnyuz.com)

“I'd thrift on my lunch break from work, and then on the weekends I'd go live and sell my pieces. My business grew from there, and I named it Lunch Break Vintage, which I began full time in February 2025.”

— Kristen Boelen, Founder, Lunch Break Vintage (dnyuz.com)

The takeaway

This story demonstrates the thrill and skill of thrifting, where savvy shoppers can uncover hidden gems at deeply discounted prices. It also highlights the enduring value and quality of luxury fashion items, even when found in unexpected places.