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Category: Used, Vintage & Consignment [Edit]
1600 University AveMon-Sat 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
If you're on University, this place has the best selection of furniture, electronics (I saw an iMac G3 there today!), books, and CDs. Though the clothing selection is smaller than it's Goodwill neighbor, the clothes are less likely to have small holes or other curious and strange stains. Also, you're likely to find gems only if you visit often - I've been getting the vibe that the clothing in this place is being combed regularly by evil, eagle-eyed vintage shoppers. Or maybe their clothes selection is just too small?
I believe their books are $1 for children's books, $1.50 for paperback, $2 for hardcover, and separately priced for textbooks - certainly cheaper than Goodwill, and there's a lot more too choose from as well. Unfortunately, it's difficult to browse through the books because the bookshelves are stacked closely together. You'll have to sit on the ground to look at the books shelved on the smaller shelves, so be prepared for some awkward shuffling and Asian squatting.
The staff have been nice the times I've visited. One time the girl at the register tried to give me a 50% discount on a vase, but I donated the difference to their conveniently located (by the register) donation jar. Wouldn't want to feel all evil by dealing and stealing from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
And... Red wineeeuh! They played Lady Gaga on the stereo.
This place sucks. Sorry, but the selection was really picked through and the prices could be cheaper. Nothing seemed to be under $4, anything remotely cute was about $6 or $7, which in thrift terms = expensive. You're also supposed to put back your clothes from the rack you got them from, which is why there were women's clothes in the men's section and dresses in the t-shirt aisle.
I will give them props for playing Lady Gaga though.
This is possibly the best thrift store in the East Bay. They always have the most amazing selection of books and records. Every single time I've gone, I've walked out with a stack of books and a stack of records. From time to time, they have some musical treasures. I've walked away with bongo drums and a harmonica for a steal. I've also seen a flute, a fancy xylophone, and an electric guitar. People must be catching on because lately it's been pretty busy.
Recently, they have been having random sales. They have $1 purse days. They also have shoe sale days where every pair is marked down to a flat price. The staff is extremely friendly and chill. You can even try to haggle--though you should just pay them full price or even more since all sales benefit the Aids Healthcare Foundation.
I also feel great when I shop here because I'm buying used!
I like this the best out of thrift stores in Berkeley! Great book selection. Good music playing (most of the time). Interesting staff (just gotta see them yourself). Comfortable shopping layout - wide aisles, bright, relatively clean.
Cons - hit or miss on clothes selection. Sometimes they have a lot, sometimes not. Big problem is that there is only once changing room - but it is just a curtained off spot - kind of sketchy. Also no return policy at all. Cost OK - not super cheap more medium of the road in terms of thrift shops.
My review is really based on their selection of books. WOW!
Also can't hate on my $12.75 Northface jacket.
I live nearby and shop here all the time.
I also drop off bags of clothes!
Great variety, CHEAP prices and i rock so many clothes from here that I get compliments on.
Their selection is good and their prices are amazing! I'm giving them 3 stars because there was a lot of bleh stuff to sort to, just like your typical thrift store. i noticed that they have an amazing selection of men's blazers, if that's what you're looking for.
This is a great thrift store. You don't have to do too much digging, as the majority of the stuff if great. On my first visit, I got 6 things (count 'em: 2 shirts, 2 belts, 1 dress, 1 pair of pants) for $20! They have discount racks and seemingly constant sales. Plus, some of your money goes to a great cause. You can get there on foot, bike, bus or auto. Sounds perfect, eh?
The only thing I felt bad about was taking up time in the sole dressing room.
This is one of the better thrift stores that I've been to. I got an awesome microwave here for ten bucks.
*whispering* But I think it might be gay...
Go get yourself a gay microwave. You won't be sorry.
This place was not my cup of tea.
Overpriced and homeless looking, I barely wanted to touch anything there. While the customers were cool, as was the service, the items were just so overpriced for the quality.
I won't be back.
The staff is friendly, good selection of books, kick knacks and furniture. Prices vary - latley they seem to have gone up on furniture, but I have still gotten quite a few great deals. Has a dollar rack for clothes ++ and a discount color system++
i always find a gem here.
examples:
-matching grandma and grandpa paintings for over the mantle
-jerry springer: uncensored, "i don't like wearing clothes!" vhs
-a t-shirt with cute animals on it and a caption "all my friends are wild!"
also, 95% goes to fighting hiv, and i think that's mega fantastic. so go buy waynes world 2 on vhs. ...$1.90 goes to yer good karma.
4 stars for me because we gave so much stuff to this branch last year when moving to a smaller space that my karma is good enough to stop by and find exactly what I'm looking for in under 30 seconds. Otherwise, it's a bit dingy, but all for a good cause- proceeds go to HIV medical care.
This is one of a chain of 22 stores in CA, several of which apparently offer free testing (the web links are broken).
Alas, getting more and more picked over. Screw you, vintage shop-owners!
Dingy? Yes.
Horrible radio? Hell yes.
Somewhat picky about donations? Makes it a better place to…
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This would be one of the later stops for me on a thrift crawl. I am kind of shocked to hear that they are picky about donations, because seriously, most of the clothing I've found here can only be described as tragic. After a few visits, my best find has been a plain Gap t-shirt for $4. And yo, the non-clothing stuff way dingy.
Useful before an 80's or 90's party. Otherwise you're better off walking a few blocks to Goodwill or Reruns, where the merchandise is better, cheaper, cleaner, stronger.
I always like the vibe here, and I've always had very friendly and bright people help with donations. But it's true, they're picky with taking donations on atypical items (non clothing especially). I also like the cause. But I've never actually bought anything here despite looking a few times.
So the 4 stars is for overall (based mostly off the donation side of things), but a 3 stars or less for those who are thinking only of shopping here.
You can't miss this big purple palace of thrift right off University Ave. I've visited several times, but haven't made a purchase yet. It's not for a lack of trying, though. I'm usually not searching for anything specific, I just try to find something cool that catches my eye. I can tell that they get a pretty good influx of items because they've always got something new. I also like how they really "theme it up" depending on seasons or holidays. They had some pretty awesome costumes last Halloween and a pretty sweet sale yesterday for Valentine's Day. I'll continue to visit this place on my rotation of thrift stores, I just hope I can actually find something I want to buy one day!
My favorite thrift store on the University strip. Maybe I have more patience while shopping, but the items I've found here are treasures, far from trashy or tragic. Not too long ago I found a pure silk skirt from Talbots for $4, with retail tags still attached...MSRP $295. Compared to where these items could have been (ebay, Crossroads), they are so cheap it makes me giddy. The staff is usually fun and friendly here, too. Out of the Closet has yet to disappoint me.
One of my favorite places to shop. It's cheap, and when you find something of quality, you feel like you just hit the jackpot. My outfits head-to-toe are from OTC. From Northface to Lucky's to Seven's to Bebe, I've found a treat in that store everytime I shop there. Plus the profits go to a really good cause, so you never feel bad about spending a little extra money there.
I don't know too much about the women's clothing... the selection there seemed to be limited compared to other stores, but what I was really there for was men's clothing for my ever growing teenage son. The economy's hit us hard and we didn't have the money to go school shopping and unfortunately that didn't stop my son from growing three inches during the summer. Since I don't want him going to school in half tops and capris I sucked up my pride and headed to a thrift shop. I got only red tags (2 for $1 right now) except one shirt, which was still 50% off ($2.75). I picked up two pairs of jeans for me, two pairs of jeans for him, a pair of khakis, and five shirts for him. Total damage was $7.63. The brands were Levi, Izod, Hurley, Banana Republic and Ralph Lauren. The best part was, as I shamefully brought that pink bag home and broke the news of where those clothes came from to my son, who I knew would be horrified at getting second hand clothes - a big smile spread across his face and he tore through that bag like it was Christmas. He even asked if I would take him back there next week (although we have to take our own environmentally friendly non-pink bags). I guess times have changed since I was a kid.
The service here is good, but the selection is much more limited than I expected from a Berkeley thrift store. Goodwill, and even SA, put them to shame. While there's the occasional great find, I can't believe they're selective about donations--a lot of the clothes are just crap. Still, I pop by every couple of months just to see...
Top 3 reasons why I love Out of the Closet:
3. Globetrotters tearaways for 2 bucks
2. vintage Vikings sweater for, you guessed it, 2 bucks
1. all proceeds support people affected by HIV/AIDS
They also never let me down when I need a costume. I left my heart in Out of the Closet.
Why aren't you coming here yet? You can find all kinds of useful knick-knacks all while you benefit an AIDS hospital!
Donating clothes here is super-easy. Plop your bags down, get your receipt, and go.
Out of the Closet is super affordable. I've found a lot of accessories and shoes here. I even found myself an awesome space heater for $4! The people who work here are really sweet as well, and I'm glad my money goes to such a great cause.
This branch is decent but not great, but i don't think it's their fault, as the quality of the finds is dependent on the neighborhood. it was one of the dirtier out of the closet's I've encountered. It's a good place to pick up all those ugly yet functional Gap & Ann Taylor separates for office jobs, and the prices are always under a dollar or so.
I love the chain in general too since they are very gay friendly; i don't get such a churchy vibe when I donate or go shopping!
I tried to donate some stuff here and it was one of the worst experiences I've ever had. They were SUPER picky with what they would and would not take. The clerk was rude and made me wait a long time to donate. Getting a receipt for my taxes was like pulling teeth. i gave them 2 stars only b/c it was easy to park at this location.
great thrift, mixed quality/style of clothes of course--but come for the search for the gems! I found some brilliant, fab stuff I'm so excited to wear. Hooray!
The best deal for cheap clothes
how can i complain. the albums that are buy one get one free for a dollar!
Neighborhood: Downtown Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area
El Cerrito, CA
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area
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