- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
East Bay Depot For Creative Reuse
Category: Shopping Arts & Crafts Arts & Crafts [Edit]
4695 Telegraph Ave(between 46th St & 47th St)
Oakland, CA 94609
Neighborhoods: Temescal, North Oakland
(510) 547-6470
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
We have an extensive selection of yarns, needles, patterns, books, knitting bags and accessories from around the world. Atelier specializes in luxurious… read more »
142 reviews for East Bay Depot For Creative Reuse
Review Highlights
Loading...
142 reviews in English
-
Review from Chunk Y.
San Francisco, CA
Kind of love this place. Very random with a lot of things you probably don't need but may want, and for great prices. Today, I picked up the following items for $5.70 total:
- a Stewie Griffin mask (THIS WAS A STEAL AT $3.75!)
- a Chinese porcelain spoon (made in China)
- and 4 8x8 areal view photographs
Really like the location as well.
Oh, remember to bring your own shopping bags! -
Review from Countess A.
Alameda, CA
Two things have changed:
1. It moved from downscale Berkeley neighborhood to trendy Temescal in Oakland,
2. Anyone (not just teachers) can come and raid this place.
TEACHERS: Don't waste your time. You will find little that has enough quantity for even a single class. And since anyone can come in and rummage, nothing is organized in any helpful way,. The hipster mommies with their $300 baby strollers and faux artistes will elbow you out of the way. Try RAFT in Santa Clara if you are trying to get cheap supplies for a classroom project.
The other reviews kinda say it all: hipsters think this is THEIR junque store. Its teacher roots are long gone. Entitled mommies let their kids pull the games apart and play on the floor, and give you the nasty stink eye if you ask their precious gifted offspring to move so you can browse.
Goodbye EBDCR, it was nice to know you. -
Review from Leah B.
Oakland, CA
It's in their name, Reuse...found some great crap here and some dropped mine off.
Really not sure why people ever go to Michael's or other hobby lobby crafty crapy store places...OK that isn't true, they one thing with East Bay Depot For Creative Reuse, the one thing other then their long name is, you never know what you will find...but that is kind of one of the best parts of it. I mean you got to another place they always have tracing paper...and then this one time you walk in to EBDFCR and they have a shit load of new or kinda new pads that are just what you never knew you needed!
If you a teacher...it rocks, and they got them too. -
Review from Laurie H.
This place fascinates me. There's always at least one item that is a must-have. Last week it was a dress form. The week before it was old picture frames. One week they had tons of cycling jerseys in a bin in the back...new ones! Fabric is fun to look at, but I still like Happy Stop better at $2/yard for every single fabric. And make sure you look at the binders so you don't ever need to buy new ones again.
Sometimes I do think the prices are a little bit high. Not horrendously, just a little bit. If you could find the same thing at Goodwill you definitely wouldn't pay as much....but that's the key....IF you could find it at Goodwill.
What needs to be worked on is the serious 'tude from most every employee. We customers seem to be somewhat bothersome to them. Don't get me wrong - when you get to the cash register to check out, they're efficient and get you checked out lickety-split. But I'm guessing it's cuz they want you to get the hell out. Now, please. They're over you. Do I care? Naw.....not really. It's a self-serve place for sure anyway. -
Review from Alicia D.
San Francisco, CA
This place is great. Whenever I need a spare ethernet cord for a dollar, wrapping paper, or feathers for my next art project, they seem to have something that fits the bill at a price that's doable.
It certainly was cooler on San Pablo, and cheaper, but it's now two minutes from my house, and so I give it 4 stars. -
Review from Rc F.
Martinez, CA
I love the East Bay Depot .I have never had a bad experience there . I have been a fan for 10 years plus. East Bay Depot is not a junk store or a thrift store it is a materials arts reuse center.
If you are a teacher you can get a discount card and they have great teacher days. Best way to find out what they get in is to sign up for their email notifications.They also do a lot more then just be a retail location check out their website. They give back to the community in so many ways.Doesn't bother me a bit to pay whatever they are asking. For those that complain it's not organized? I think they do a great job considering the tons of material they receive every day and the space they have. Parking can suck but walking is good for you. -
Review from julie laura r.
Oakland, CA
It used to be fun going to the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse, now the staff's smarmy, and they ring things up (at a high, arbitrary price) before answering the "how much does this cost?" question. I agree with Adam V. 100%. Geez, it's a thrift store, things are not supposed to cost near what they cost in retail stores when they're new.
-
Review from Jesse B.
Emeryville, CA
Everyone who works at the Depot is kind. Friendly faces and a plethora of quirky toss-me-out goodies make this a great place to find typewriter ribbons, office supplies, bulk containers, school and art supplies, frames, amateur artwork, toilet paper tubes--you got to be kidding me!
Take your time. If you peek in the nooks and crannies, you're bound to find something you need. Hopefully, something you want. -
Review from C C.
Berkeley, CA
What happened to this place? When did they start hiring such rude, indifferent people? I've also patronized this place since their San Pablo days, but recently, their staff makes you feel like they're doing you a favor by letting you shop there. The prices have become surreal for what is essentially other people's junk, and the customer service has become downright awful. They've hired uppity but unhappy college kids or recent graduates who obviously think they're above being retail clerks at a junk store, so they're un-eager to please or go the extra mile for customers.
Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly obvious that this is a greedy business, acting and pretending to be a non-profit. They do not provide full disclosure on how much and what percentage of gross they provide do the limited list of cherry picked charities they support. -
Review from Lisa T.
My kid went down every single aisle in this place, exclaiming, "This is hecka awesome!" so it took us about an hour to get out of here.
-
Review from Nicolas L.
San Francisco, CA
You know when you're in your house working on some lame craft project and you're like "why can't there be a store that sells scratched records so I can make coasters out of the center?!". Well this is that store you thought existed only in your imagination. Asthmatics beware, it's plenty dusty and grimey. My biggest score was a near mint copy of Steel Pulse's True Democracy with cover and everything for $1!. Now I can listen to 'Your House' the way Jah Jah intended.
-
Review from Adam V.
Oakland, CA
What *happened* to this place? They used to be so exceptionally good! Back when they were on San Pablo. But now it's harder than ever to find anything worthwhile, the selection they carry is cut waaaaay back while the prices have climbed, and the staff has become kind of unpleasant! Like, seriously guys, you work in a junk store. That's okay! Just chill out, smile a little. We'll smile right back at you!
I really want to like this place but it just isn't the same anymore. -
Review from Jay S.
Oakland, CA
OK, after all this time it seems only fair that I update my review. The cranky manager I mentioned before has long since departed for greener pastures. That is an improvement right there. True, the hipster kids who staff the joint can be obnoxiously long on attitude, but none of 'em have been consistently surly, the way Cranky was.
The shop is still trying too hard to be something it's not, and many items remain overpriced. Nevertheless, East Bay Depot is ultimately all about recycling--and only a jerk would argue with that. So, I'm giving 'em one star back.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
12/28/2009
I liked this shop better when it was on San Pablo Avenue; it was cheaper, more interesting, and did… Read more »
-
12/28/2009
-
Review from bronwyn w.
Oakland, CA
I can't believe my beloved EBDCR just made me feel as small and worthless as one of their recycled toilet paper rolls! Not only do I frequent this magical haven regularly and spend plenty of doe, I bring my friends and plug the shit out of this place. But my experience today left me feeling vengeful toward them. The unfamiliar woman working the front counter charged me $3.81 for 4 half full puffy paints, 2 corks and 1 piece of white paper. First of all, what a rip-off!!! Then when I realized that I forgot my wallet, I started digging out pocket change from my purse. She acted like I was leaving a poop schmear on the toilet seat she was about to sit on. I scrounged up $3.50 and said, "will this suffice?" She belittled me by mentioning how hard I labored to come up with the pathetic sum and asked that I come back with more $$. Screw you dude. Lighten up. It's junk! What I purchased should have cost me less than $1.00. I'll be visiting Urban Ore a whole lot more from now on. They always make me feel like I'm getting a great deal for the crap I'm taking off their hands.
-
Review from Stepha G.
Sierra Madre, CA
Not knowing the San Pablo storefront and its offerings where this business once was sited, I can not compare. Seeing, immediately, a huge pile of heavy cotton tablecloths upon entering, I found pleasing. 2 of them are now being used as bedspreads in my house. Frankly, no one in my circle would know that those bedspreads are recycled items from a place named East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse. How lucky is Temescal to have this business there!
-
Review from Nina B.
San Francisco, CA
I am giving an extra star to East Bay Depot because I love the concept of a recycle store and there aren't a ton of places around like this. Otherwise it is kind of meh. Recently the prices have gone up and the quality of what you can find there have gone down. They seem to have more and more crap that isn't that useful for teachers and more stuff that is geared toward a hipper crowd. The pricing methodology is pretty lame too. Half of the stuff there isn't marked so when you are getting rung up the cashier looks at you and decides how much he thinks you would be willing to pay for a toilet paper roll. The customer service is pretty bad too.
-
Review from Lolly G.
East Bay, CA
We went here recently as a refresher. We had moved out of the area and hadn't been to their new location. I was really disappointed with the new digs. I am all for hunting for treasure, but this was just digging through junk to find more junk. Perhaps if I lived closer, I could figure out the good days and the lean days a little better, but for now, it isn't worth the trip.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/2/2009
This is the type of place that is ideal if you have a lot of time to spare, have a really "unique"… Read more »
-
1/2/2009
-
Review from Linda T.
Oakland, CA
Get your party supplies, your classroom materials, your home improvement ideas, and your teacher's discounts here!
I love this place--even if it does mean digging through piles of everything for hours. My favorite part is that bin of old random photos or those projector slides... or even those old maps or those random fabric pieces. Heck, everything about this store is my favorite part of this place. It's like walking into a well-organized and crowded garage, and with the added assurance that I won't find a dusty rat beneath a stack of old music sheets.
This is the kind of craft store you can walk into and meet and chat productively with other customers about creative reuse projects. On a good day you can walk out with bags of gems, your mind bursting with ideas, and barely a dent on your wallet.Listed in: North Oakland Local
-
Review from Bill H.
If you were ever looking for fifty toilet paper tubes, or a metric ton of discarded Cal prints, this is your place. I thought the selection here was kind of lacking relative to other "crazy stuff stores" in the East Bay.
-
Review from Fannie S.
Cool place.
Crafting needs....most likely, got it. But finding it may take some patience. Random stuff, got it! :) (You know like the cardboard core of toilet paper rolls, birth control contraceptive cases, etc)
Prices = moderate. But if it's on sale...bulk is the way to go.
Bring cash! -
Review from Chris C.
Oakland, CA
I want to give this place a better review, because I really love the idea, but I just can't. You can find some really cool stuff here, if you're patient enough to dig through a lot of junk first. Take your allergy medicine -- it always makes me sneeze like crazy! Also, be prepared for a pretty disorganized experience. Yes, there are general "sections," but within those sections it's all just a jumble and things aren't always in their designated "section." That doesn't really bother me, since it's a junk store, but if you like super-organized thrift stores, this might not be the place for you.
The biggest problem I've had here is the pricing. It's often not marked anywhere, and can be totally inconsistent, depending on who you ask. I haven't had anyone get particularly annoyed with me about asking the price of something, unlike other reviewers, but I do feel like their prices are often inflated. I was looking at some yarn once that happened to be from a company I know well, and the price they quoted me was actually MORE than I would have paid to buy the same yarn new. When I told the guy behind the counter that, he seemed totally uninterested in knocking the price down. Why would I buy used, dusty yarn at the same price I could get it for new??? And the fabric is oddly priced, too. They do it by the yard, but you have to unroll this bundles and measure it yourself. Why not just price the bundles at a couple bucks each and be done with it? -
Review from Jerico P.
first time buyer-
i've never heard of this place before until the need for it came up- i needed end of the year thank you presents for our volunteers and somebody mentioned this place in passing... that i should check it out...
and so check it out i did!
Teacher Tip: as a first time buyer- i recommend the place. it is as it was advertised. a great place for artists and teachers. they even have a 10% discount for teachers and sometimes things are just straight up free for educational purposes.
as i close out this school year i've already got projects swimming in my head and plans of coming back.
until next time.
cheers!Listed in: Check the Teacher Tips
-
Review from Julia D.
It is like SCRAP but more expensive and hipster. When I was there, I asked the woman working there how much the typewriter was and she said 40 dollars. Then when I bought it later at the counter, a man charged me 25 dollars and I assumed they'd discussed it. Then I went outside to wait for my friend with a car. Then my other friend was paying for her things and the two employees were talking about me. Apparently the woman said, "I can't believe she let you charge her 25 dollars when I said 40." It's called pricing and communication, people. Seriously. I would have paid 40, but he said 25. I am not a jerk.
-
Review from ren l.
Oakland, CA
I can't express how sad this makes me, but it has to be done. I have been a great fan of The Depot, supported them, by purchasing all kinds of things, most of which ends up getting donated back to them, or to another non-profit. I have spent more money in this place that I care to admit, but that's because I love, love, the concept and the work that they've done in the past. As an artist, an ex teacher, a community minded person, I have done what I can to bring them new business, but I think as of today I'm done with The Depot.
Since they moved to the new location, things have been different, the prices are higher, the stuff is all over the map, but most of all its the service, it has, in my opinion gone to the toilet.
I've seen a little guy who works there, nearly snatch a noisy toy (for sale) from a child's hand, when it made too much noise. He actually stopped ringing up a customer, without a word, left the register area, to take the toy from the child, and didn't stop there, he had the temerity to chastise him for making too much noise. I was stunned, and waited to see if his parent would say something, but no, there was nothing.
I can't event go into today's experience, as my head is reeling from it still. Suffice it to say that I have NEVER been treated this way. Apparently the worst thing you can do in this store is ask the price of something, which is strange since there are few items with prices. The second worst thing you can do is ask a person for their name, as in my case after being treated horribly. Not only was I not given a name, I was asked for my name and to leave the store. I'm not some nut job, who's goes around town causing problems. I'm a mild mannered person who is usually very patient with people.
I can't figure this out. They sell junk, junk that people don't need, the only reason anyone shops there is because they want to. Yet, the feeling I get is that the clerks are not clear on this.
One could make excuses for them, that they're young, inexperienced, but really it comes down to a kind of culture. They are allowed to behave this way. They need training, since common sense and treating people with dignity is apparently not a quality that is all that common. They need a real manager, who knows and understands how to treat people who keep your business afloat.
You should read all that people are saying about you East Bay Depot. It's not good.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
4/12/2010
I've been going to the Depot for almost ten years. I loved it when I was an art teacher, and still… Read more »
-
4/12/2010
-
Review from Ligaya T.
San Francisco, CA
Dear Santa,
I know it's only March, but I've decided to only give gifts that are a) liquor or b) that I've made myself. So I need supplies for the rest of the year, and there's where you come in. Pretty please with a cherry on top do an early drop off with this stuff:
- 2 mannequin arms in different colors
- a poster of the water cycle
- 3 bolts of colorful fabric
- 8 wooden picture frames of various sizes
- 70 toilet and paper towel rolls
- shredded dollar bills
- 50 sheets of microfilm
- 4 balls of wool yarn
- and a Blythe doll with burned hair
I hope this doesn't muck up your schedule too badly. Luckily, I know of a place where you can make it a one stop shop...
Thanks for helping me save the planet, Santa. It'll be worth it, I promise. And please give Rudolph an Inuit kiss and a sugar cube for me.
xoxo,
Ligaya T. -
Review from Rinky N.
East Bay
Yay for East Bay Depot!
We found exactly what we were looking for:
Eyeglass case-35 cents
Plastic prize balls-you know the kind you see in those little vending machines.
A wooden (not fiberboard) narrow bookshelf (for my DVD's)---it fit perfectly in the dining room/next to the computer. $12
Model train DVD
TOTAL for everything was $15! Woohoo!
And I dropped off bags of DVD cases.
They had hundreds of rubber stamps in bins----I didn't buy any but I did tell my teacher friends about them.
I am super impressed how neat and well organized this place is.
No small feat with all the mountains of stuff they get.
Friendly and helpful staff too!
They now have a loading dock behind the store so it is easy to drop off stuff.Listed in: Please don't forsake them, oh…, Non-chain chain chain of…, Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!, It's Kinda, Sorta Easy Being…, Best Places to Buy Things You…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
6/13/2008
Their current location seems slightly smaller than the original but it is clean, sunny and super… Read more »
-
6/13/2008
-
Review from eli b.
Such a cool place. Get your cheap art supplies and your random original art (about 5% of it good, some really good) for absurdly cheap. And you're sure to find lots of other cool stuff. I could spend hours here, and have.
-
Review from Trixie J.
San Francisco, CA
Okay. Who's the mofo who bought all the cowbells? Hundreds of cruddy cheap cowbells have been sitting around in a bin all year long with no takers. Then I decided that I want to get it all for the company's holiday mandatory merrymaking that includes the usual white elephant yankee swap crap, and how delightfully idiotic it would be for someone to open it up and see a ton of cowbells. So I hauled ass over to the depot after work to get there before they close in half an hour. I said to myself, if I make it in this traffic, then I'm meant to get those cowbells.
I made it in record time. Only to find no cowbells. All gone. Sold out. No more. : (
Well guess what. I got a fever. And the only prescription...is more cowbell. -
Review from Amanda B.
Berkeley, CA
Creepy.
They've got tons of crap, TONS of it! As a preschool teacher I appreciate that. But yuk, sifting through all that crap is just not worth it. Needless to say they have some cheap stuff, they have some useful stuff, but every time I leave I feel the need to take a shower and swear to myself that I'll never go back.
Plus the few times I've been in the employees have either been totally spaced out or quite rude to some customers.
Case in point we found an video card for the computer there and thought we'd see if it worked. My husband gently placed it on the counter and the lady picked it up and said "what's this?" and slammed it back down. He told her it looked like it might work, but you have to be gentle with it. She picked it up again and started waving it around talking about how she knows nothing about computers yada yada yada and then slammed it down again. We awkwardly looked at each other as if she was insane, which she sort of came off as, and left. -
Review from Aromy X.
I use to go to the depot at it's San Pablo location, and today was my first time wandering into the new location. It's so much bigger! And cleaner! I love their informal technique of pricing your items. You're guaranteed a deal. I got a bag of leather covered buttons for $1.50! Very happy.
My best find: NEW balls of wool and cotton yarn. I got about 20 balls of yarn and it cost me $4!!
P.S. Bring some hand sanitizer or wash your hands afterwards. You'll leave feeling a little grimy if you've done enough digging around.Listed in: Feeling a Little Knitty
-
Review from Cat R.
Castro Valley, CA
I don't know why more ppl don't know about this place. I take every one here. Teachers, kids, my mom. And they all love it. Great prices and there is always some where there to help me. Also I would pick East Bay Depot over SCRAP in San Francisco any day.
East Bay is bright, and feels more welcoming and has better prices. -
Review from katie k.
Los Angeles, CA
Score! I fucking LOVE the Depot.
It's your destination for DIY interior decorating, arts & crafts, bulk supplies and great for classroom crafts. Some of the stuff I've come across:
- awesome "vintage" ramos pinto port wine framed print -- $3!
- O.P.I. high quality nail polish at 50 cents a pop!
- canvases, frames, cell phone accessories, scrapbooks goodies, fabric, letters, banners, boxes even furniture.
And I just love how you come up to the cashier toss your shit on the counter, and the gal says "hmm, okay, how about... 3 bucks?" YES! The selection changes often, so a pop in every now and then will do the creative body good. $10 minimum on Debit and Credit cards. -
Review from debu m.
San Francisco, CA
Where'd the gorilla in the window go? I couldn't remember the name of this place so I spent a half hour on google street view looking for this elusive gorilla the old location had in the window, only to find out later it had moved to Oakland. I made the trek thinking I'd find something, or at least get inspired for a project I was working on. That sure didn't happen, the new location is more picked through than a Thrift town clearance sale. The old location had some truly unique and weird finds. What can I create with 3000 egg cartons, bottle caps, and 20 years of National Geographic? I mean I can get my creative on, but give me something to work with. I understand the nature of places like this is hit or miss, so I may come back if I'm in the area.
No gorilla, no great finds, but I'm still happy this place exists. 3 1/2 -
Review from Sara F.
Albany, CA
How have I lived in Oakland for 5 years and never gone here?
This place is the bomb. It's perfect for finding trinkets for decorating your apartment. I found a nice canvas to hang in my living room here for $4. That's right, $4.
See you next Saturday, East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse. -
Review from erin t.
Oakland, CA
Love to HATE it.
sigh. ok, well I kinda love digging through piles of crap to find my crafty golden egg as much as the next hunter gatherer.
shopping here always makes me feel dirty though, and not in the physical seance, but more a proverbial, bad touch sort of way.
their merchandising has improved in the last month, which is nice.
there prices are hit or fucking miss.
oh, and did you know, that its unlawful and a brake in contract for retailers to charge a credit card minimum? well it is. and they do, $10.00 dollars if memory serves.
god that pisses me off. -
Review from Ieesha M.
Chicago, IL
This place is awesome. I consider myself the artsy crafty type that doesn't have much time to be artsy and craftsy, so I come here. Someone else was already pursuing a creative idea and for some reason, it ended up here. That's where I step in! I love how this place is filled with hidden treasures. I got this awesome collage canvas painting that fits perfectly in my room and is total a conversation piece- and it was only $2.50!
On another trip, I snagged these awesome over-sized sunflowers made from recycled paper. This place also seems ideal for a kid's science project or something... seems like they've got one of everything!
If you're a person who doesn't mind wandering around a store and searching for hidden treasures in what seems like a catastrophic mess, this place is for you!
Eesh's helpful hint: Get there right when they open, there's always some extra awesome item that they sit outside which gets gotten very early in the day. I always just miss an amazing lamp or table or something. They open at 11, I think!Listed in: New-To-YOU! Thrift Shopping in…
-
Review from Lance K.
Hawthorne, CA
If you like junk, or collect junk, or create cool stuff out of junk...then this is the place for you. I love junk. I collect junk. I wish I created more cool stuff out of junk.
Does anyone know of a place like this in LA? -
Review from Mel H.
Oakland, CA
I am biased because I love walking through here to just see what they have. Find random treasures like your best friend's favorite rom-com on VHS and Peet's logo t-shirts for $2. It's good to see stuff not going to the landfill, and going to art projects, crafts, creative home decor, etc., any folks who want and will use them!
-
Review from Toni M.
Either Rinky or Anna commented that this place is like wandering through someone's garage. I added, only neater. There is an amazing abundance of random stuff here, furniture, wrapping paper, cards, photos, trim, yarn, CDs and more stuff than I can name. Prices are generally cheap and signs abound offering free stuff to teachers and special teacher discounts. I loved it.
Best of all, for me, is that I discovered that they take photos and negatives. Alan has been going through a ton of envelopes of photos I had taken w/ my film camera and not put in albums. He's pulling out the photos we may want to keep and we were thinking we would have to get rid of the other photos and the negatives somewhere. Well, here's the place! They also take VHS tapes (professionally made, not homemade) and probably will take old slides too. We are always looking for good places to offload some of the excess we have accumulated and I think this will work very well. They will take stuff The Good Stuff Store and Urban Ore won't. I saw a much battered version of the "lady desk" I inherited from my mother. It looked as if it had been sitting out in the rain for a while. For $120 if would be worth buying if you're into rehabbing furniture. Their drop-off area is on Shattuck while the store fronts on Telegraph. I think we will be seeing more of them. Thanks to Rinky for introducing me to this terrific place.Listed in: I Hella Heart Oakland
-
Review from Amy M. C.
Oakland, CA
I ALWAYS find several great things to buy, whether it's cute stationary, office supplies, fabric & notions, etc. And it's always at a great deal. How many thrift or reuse stores can one say that of?
And the people who work there are kind & helpful, even that irreverent funny guy with the longish hair.Listed in: Born to Shop
