Salvation Army Thrift Store

12/22/08

Best quality...cheapest prices!

by reneeh63 at Citysearch

I love this store! I've been to a lot of thrift stores and this has the best prices and a lot of good clothes/shoes.

I regularly find long-sleeve silk sweaters from Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Gap for $4-5. And Gap jeans can be gotten for $6. Lots of outside jackets and coats for $8 and up - many name brands but those may cost you $12-$15.

There's no place to try on the clothes but for these prices you can afford to make a few mistakes and still come out way ahead... The aisles are close together and the store can get crowded with shopping carts.

The upstairs is where you'll find housewares which is generally a shambles but you'll also fine decent old electronics and shoes - it's worth a look to go up!

Definitely check out this store!

Stocked exclusively with donated goods, thrift store contributes all earnings to Bible-based rehab programs throughout the world.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
The Salvation Army is an evangelical Christian organization that devotes billions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours each year to disaster relief, social services and other charitable causes worldwide. With proceeds going directly to adult rehabilitation centers, the Army's many thrift stores play an important role in furthering the organization's mission. Patrons of the stores pick through a diverse selection of moderately worn clothing, as well as second-hand furniture, electronics, books and toys at bargain prices.

11/27/07

Thrift seekers dive

by jelloow at Citysearch

I went to the Clybourn store which stays open until 9-9:30pm. The location is not great for those without a car, unless you live in the area, since at least one CTA transfer is required. It is also tucked away off the street in an odd intersection of Clybourn Fullerton & Ashland. I went with an open mind, so I was neither disappointed nor suprised. The location has two full floors, the first floor is mostly clothing, the second is housewares, furniture, kids clothes and shoes. Despite the location, the place draws a crowd, but it is still comfortable enough to browse.

Floor 1 - The clothing Jungle. Upon entering, be prepared for the smell of old, dusty clothing... you might want to wear gloves. I am sure they do not wash anything. Still, there is tons and tons of clothing to look through.. many name brands still in good condition. There are even nice enough to sort stuff by colors & types. If you dont mind an intense search, you will come up with many great finds. Also note the lighting is not great, so check very carefully for stains & holes before buying. They also have a bunch of furniture sitting outside the store... but it was cold and raining so I didnt bother to browse.

Floor 2 - Natural Disaster. This floor looks like the aftermath of a hurricane. Definite quantity, but almost impossible to browse through since the shelves are stacked with layers of random stuff. Pricing has no logic either. Some items are priced almost at retail, while others are dirt cheap. Watch out for broken glass on the floor, there is always something falling off the shelves and breaking... but not much effort is made to clean it up.

Overall, great finds provided you bring protective gear, and you know which prices not to pay. Disorganized atmosphere, but a fun counter culture of families, sunday market resalers, thrift store & vintage addicts, and occasional early release mental patient all looking for a bargin.