Agora

3.5 star rating
17 reviews Rating Details

Category: Antiques  [Edit]

260 W Clayton St
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 316-0130
Price Range:
$$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
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17 reviews in English

  • Review from Christin K.

    Atlanta, GA

    4.0 star rating
    12/23/2011

    I missed the shit out of this store when I moved.
    Yep, its a little messy, and don't expect to walk in and find something and leave (although it can happen). I usually went in with people and it was kinda like an adventure too (because honestly where else can you 70s era furniture,  crazy knitted smocks, original art, records, and all kinds of crazy stuff all together).
    If i remember correctly the fitting room was slightly odd, but not terrible.
    I found really neat *original* pieces that people ask me where I got whenever they see it. example- red leather alligater-y skin coin purse that i used to put my id cards/ cash in.
    true, it does cost a little more than goodwill/ your average thrift store, but its cuz its more than that.
    the owner really is sweet and bubbly. like, omg wow people that are that nice really exist kind of nice.
    and yes, you have to be that kind of person that digs for treasures. happy hunting!

  • Review from Christine K.

    Cumming, GA

    4.0 star rating
    4/14/2011

    I absolutely adore Agora! I always find something great when I go in. And Airee, the owner, is always willing to negotiate on price. She really just wants to find a good home for all the great merchandise.

    But to truly enjoy Agora, you have to be the person that is okay with digging through mountains of stuff to find that ONE perfect item.

    My favorite purchase to date is my vintage leather Coach sling purse.

    If you're willing to put effort into it, you can walk out of Agora with a steal!

  • Review from Teri F.

    • 1 friend
    • 25 reviews

    Watkinsville, GA

    2.0 star rating
    11/29/2010

    I want to give this store five stars so bad, because I love the idea of the place and all of their posts on Facebook with such beautiful designer duds makes me happy...

    But the actual shopping experience isn't as great. A lot of the items are not vintage at all, are extremely overpriced and it is impossible to get anyone to help you. Every time I've ever been in Agora the manager or cashier on shift is yakking it up with some visitor and ignores us completely. I've been in Athens all my life so I know how it is when you know everybody, but I've literally had to stand at the register with an item in hand waiting patiently while the cashier held a 15 minute conversation.

    I do love that this store exists, because it is unique and has a lot of really cool items. I think maybe an expansion into a bigger building might improve matters, though it'd lose some of it's cool-factor by doing so. You can find a lot of the same type of items for much cheaper prices at places like Goodwill, the Salvation Army, Potter's House and J&J Flea Markets.

  • Review from Janet G.

    • 40 friends
    • 231 reviews

    Athens, GA

    4.0 star rating
    8/6/2008

    As far as I understand, Agora sells their own [used] stuff as well as others'--people can rent out booths in order to stock what they have to sell.  I got an amazing record player cabinet there a few years ago--I'd recommend looking here if you want a good record player.  They have kitschy and cool furniture and lamps, as well as piles of stuff you never knew you had to have until you saw it.  The people working are usually awesome (ask for Arie if you want the expert I know of) and the you can get lost in the maze of fun stuff for sale.

    Sometimes I emerge stuffy-headed due to the crowded dustiness of the place--I don't like this aspect of it and know I could never work there.  

    If you are in the mood for more vintage shopping, try a quick stroll up the Clayton St. hill to Minx!

  • Review from Christine K.

    Johns Creek, GA

    3.0 star rating
    8/28/2010

    I'm being generous here with the 3 stars. Deep inside, I probably feel like 2 stars, possibly teetering on 2.5, but I know that this is wholly because I don't shop at vintage/thrift stores. It's just not my scene. However, I know plenty of people who are head over heels over Agora and I do understand why.

    Let me break it down for you --

    + literally overflowing with stuff
    - so much stuff and so disorganized; honestly overwhelmed in a bad way when I walked in...
    + quirky and fun feel with a very interestingly decorated bathroom
    - designer duds? check. But is everything qualified as vintage? No. Look carefully.
    - somebody already said this, but I think it's difficult to shop here. I zipped around the store once and came back out in about 8 minutes.
    - there ought to be more effort invested into visual presentation, unless the point is to force shoppers to go on a literal treasure hunt.
    - rather on the dusty side and there's a lot of junk lying around in my opinion, but maybe one person's junk is another person's treasure?
    + I heard the owner is nice...
    + If you're looking for vintage designer bags, they do carry them. I have a friend who was THIS close to committing to an awesome Chanel.

  • Review from Amrita R.

    Saint Louis, MO

    4.0 star rating
    1/21/2010

    I really like wandering around this store because you never know what you'll find. Some stuff is still kinda pricy for my budget but I always checked every couple of months when I was living in Athens.

    My friends love coming here when they visit and we always spend a considerable amount of time going through everything. It's a fun place to check out if you like thrift store shopping!

  • Review from Britnie F.

    • 10 friends
    • 34 reviews

    Watkinsville, GA

    4.0 star rating
    6/29/2010

    I like this store.  It's a fun way to kill an hour or so, plus, you can find some really cool things for fair prices.  I understand that this is not a thrift store, per se.....more like a vintage boutique.  But I have to admit there is nothing vintage about old navy t-shirts and re-selling them for $20.  They do have a sweet vinyl collection and I found some really great earrings there for $10.

    If you like to look at a lot of stuff just for the sake of looking, this is a great place to go.

  • Review from O K.

    • 9 friends
    • 70 reviews

    Atlanta, GA

    4.0 star rating
    5/1/2010

    WTF is wrong with these reviewers?  Its not a thrift store so yeah, if thats what you expect then yes, it is overpriced.  For sweet vintage finds and quirky oddball items, its full of gems!  At the thrift store you get lice, or find a tooth in the pocket of those pants you wanted.  You HAVE to wash everything when you get home because that crap is scary!  You also have to dig through so much real junk for a single amazing item.  If thats your thing, then the thrfit shop is for you but Agora has done the hard work for you.  Maybe its cold in winter, sure you have to use the restroom as a changing room...suck it up!  Aren't you all in college anyway if you are in Athens? Everyone knows college kids spend their money on beer and not heat.  Sheesh!  
    Now, I like this store.  I got an amazing purple satin polyester gem or a shirt.  It has embroidered gnomes playing a lyre and mandolin.  Really, you think your thrift store would have that?  it was 8 bucks which is soooo cheap.  Go to NYC and you will all learn what overpriced is.  Anyway, if you are looking for unique, quirky, vintage, crazy or fun...this place is for you!

  • Review from Timber W.

    • 23 friends
    • 290 reviews

    Augusta, GA

    4.0 star rating
    5/12/2010

    Agora is cramped and dusty, and yet I love it all the same.  I've only bought a few things there, but I enjoy just wandering around.  They have some cool vintage clothing, accessories, and a multitude of trinkets.  Records and some art by Chris Hubbard are in the back left corner of the store.  Like any other vintage place, you have to be patient enough to sift through the overwhelming amount of merchandise to find something worth buying, but that's always been my favorite part of the process.

  • Review from Chris D.

    • 12 friends
    • 261 reviews

    Centreville, VA

    4.0 star rating
    4/11/2010 1 photo 1 Check-in Here

    Excellent thrift shop. This place is packed with plenty of cool gems from the old days. Prices are really good.

  • Review from Jennifer L.

    • 4 friends
    • 33 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    2.0 star rating
    1/16/2010

    Freezing store.  Too cold to try on any clothing.

    Overpriced thrift.

    Disorganized.  Dirty.  

    Too difficult to shop here.

  • Review from Carrie O.

    San Diego, CA

    2.0 star rating
    3/2/2010

    This place was sort of a "wtf" kind of store for me, but my sister really likes it. It's not MY kind of place (smells kind of weird, very vintage clothes, LOTS of stuff kinda thrown around helter skelter), but if you like digging around for possibly an awesome find, you'd love this place. It's hard to describe other than that, so maybe just check it out for yourself. Their prices are a bit "wtf" as well (plastic beaded cheapo necklace for eight dollars, SERIOUSLY? Seriously) so be aware of that.

  • Review from Michael F.

    • 18 friends
    • 25 reviews

    Portland, OR

    4.0 star rating
    10/7/2010

    This place is great!  The absolute clutter of this place means that allot of the good stuff doesn't get picked.  I found a great designer (high end) tie for about $20.  There is a crazy mix of home goods, records, clothing, and accessories.  The fact that there are a ton of vendors means that you can find anything from crazy Williamsberg hipster fare to good old classics.  The owner was really friendly and gave us a deal for getting more stuff, overall a great place!

  • Review from Whitney R.

    • 135 friends
    • 210 reviews

    Philadelphia, PA

    4.0 star rating
    2/2/2010

    As a thift lover, this is the kind of place I hope I go when I die. It is chock full of everything! Clothes, jewelry, records, shoes, bags anything, everything. The prices could be a little lower, but you can find pretty much anything. I got some great Bowie on vinyl, and some very unique dresses. I even saw a band uniform. If you have a love for vintage this place is a must when in Athens.

  • Review from Katherine R.

    • 0 friends
    • 3 reviews

    Savannah, GA

    4.0 star rating
    4/10/2011

    This place is one of my favorites!!  There are tons of finds.  I would have given it 5 stars if the prices were not so high but the owner is very willing and friendly to negotiate:)

  • Review from Adam e.

    • 7 friends
    • 25 reviews

    Birmingham, AL

    5.0 star rating
    1/15/2011

    This place is a giant mess of fantastic, well chosen, vintage pieces.  Unlike so many second hand stores, they have a good selection of menswear (like the navy Oscar de la Renta blazer I picked up for practically nothing).  The only downside to my visit was that I didn't have more money to spend (not that you have to have a lot, prices are incredibly reasonable).  In any other city I've been to recently, the shelves of this place would be bare in a matter of days, so get there soon!

  • Review from Jed L.

    • 40 friends
    • 121 reviews

    Washington, DC

    4.0 star rating
    12/1/2008

    Sweet geebus! Agora is filled to the max with all sorts of neat and funky clothes and jewelry! It is possible to spend a half-day in there just browsing through the various amounts of random cool things. Aside from the clothes and bling, there are pieces of furniture and art work (some of which are from local artist) spread throughout the store. There really isn't any sort of order in which everything is placed. It's a big cluster#^@& but in a "It hurts so good!" kind of way. While there are more selection for woman I still managed to find this hot retro looking jacket vest thingy. Another really cool thing I bought is an Agora themed t-shirt screen printed on a super soft American Apparel tee. Prices vary greatly depending on what you are looking at. Some things are priced like other thrift stores while other things, such as the local art work, are priced at "normal" prices. Agora is definite stop anyone should make when checking out the local scene in Athens.

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