Mariners Church Community Center

This is hands down my favorite thrift store. It's very small, but it somehow manages to have 10x better stuff than much larger thrift stores. Because it's primary donors are the very affluent and very generous Orange Countyans of Mariners Church, I end up walking out with 20 super nice items for a total of around $20. My only issue is it's very short window of hours that it's open during the week!

**September Visit: Saturday Morning**

Not sure if this is the norm but everything was $5 unless marked (in the designer section). On this trip I scored some knee high black boots, a Emilio Pucci dress, belt, jean jacket and a soft long sleeve tee made from that sweat-proof athletic wear for $25. There wasn't a dressing room that I could see, but there were two floor length mirrors in the store if you wanted to put them over your clothes to try out.

I think overall the quality of items are pretty good and depending on what you're looking for they have a pretty good medium sized selection. Enjoy!

Great friendly environment. Difficult to find because of the size of the complex. Pleasantly surprised by the prices.

I had a box of good-quality houseware and about two or three bags of very nice clothing that I went to drop off at their donation center. I went early in the morning as I was doing a couple of other errands. Apparently, I was too early as just as I was putting the first box out in the donation area, a security guard drove up behind me. I said hi, I'm just dropping some stuff off for your church and I was treated like I was committing a crime. He said the drop-off area is not open yet and we don't want people dumping. I said okay, sorry about that but I wasn't dumping and showed him the box I was leaving. As I was going back to my car, he said it doesn't even matter what you are donating, if you don't go back and get it then I will have to take your license plate down and call the police.

All I can say is, wow, and not exactly feeling much Christian spirit here. I understand it was the wrong time of day, but you can see I'm donating some stuff that people would buy from your store but you would rather I just go throw it in the trash where it hurts the environment and helps nobody. That makes a lot of sense. As he watched me like a hawk as I drove away I was left with the feeling that I never want to come back to this place again. I understand why other people have said they feel like they are being accused of stealing or uncomfortable here. Anyway, I took my donations to Goodwill and was just disappointed at such an attitude received from a church I am trying to donate to.

I'm sorry but I never shop at thrift stores. Just my policy. But I constantly donate great items. After bringing many items to places and seeing them marked up so much I am so happy that this place donates all money made and volunteers are working.
I applaud all of those volunteering. It isn't an easy task!
The reviewers claiming they are uncomfortable with the volunteers is not fun. I know how it is to feel out of place and uncomfortable. You see how the manager replied back. He cares about you all and really cares about how this place presents itself.

People truly do line up outside at 9 Very organized & the staff seems friendly enough. I wish they had longer hours. I recommend coming on Saturday, to hit the farmer's market

For many years, Mariners Church Thrift Store used to stand by their items they sold.
If something didn't work when you took it home, they would take it back.
Last Saturday We bought a spice rack for $5 that we later found to be missing main pieces and made the item useless. We took it back today and they wouldn't accept it saying "all sales are final." The purchase is listed in their system on my phone number.
The manager in charge insulted us saying "how do I know you bought it here."
That's very trusting. We supported their center donating and purchasing from them. We were volunteer workers and used to make sure things worked and counted pieces To make sure the item was complete.
What she could have done was give us a credit if they want to keep the $5.
They can look up my number and see that we have supported them for over eight years. I would even bring my clients donations here. Not recommend but actually pick up and drop off for them.

Don't buy anything that you'll have to take back (electronics, puzzles, pieces you have to assemble.
It's too bad her attitude and insult lost a family that supported their center over a $5 item.

Clean and priced reasonably. All Bibles are free and Christian books under $2.00. They close early:/

Donations accepted with a warm smile and assistance with large or heavy items. Would recommend donating here - especially higher end items instead of dealing with the hassles of reselling online. Support your community!

I love the thrift store. I particularly like the costume jewelry....fun stuff!

What I particularly love is that 100% of the proceeds go back to the poor and needy locally. The place is run entirely by volunteers and the church as a non-profit collects *none* of the funds generated (to those who posted "they are in it for the money").

I also like the boutique option with higher-end pieces. Yes, sometimes stuff gets mis-reshelved by customers, but even their boutique item prices are comparable to Goodwill's *regular* prices (e.g. I bought a pair of boots at the Goodwill for $15. Mariners' regular boots are about $8, boutique ones about $15), so I don't understand folks' complaints. It is still a deal. You get to decide if it is worth it.

Lastly, I have generally found they are polite if you are. If you are abusive, then yeah, they might get a bit defensive.

People want to return items to a thrift store? I just re-donate it if I made a mistake. Hey, it's a charity.

Great place to bring clothes and household items. Working electronics are accepted too.