Ann Arbor Thrift Shop

Thrift Store or Pricey Boutique? I have been shopping at this thrift store for over 7 years. It used to be a joy to stop weekly into the quaint shop. I have watched the items priced reasonably to now, extremely ridiculous for the majority of items. As I browse through the racks, I can’t help but shake my head and think if the shop secretly changed over from «thrift» to «boutique» and no one told me.
Some items are priced higher than what I could pay for the exact same item «new» on a department store clearance rack. I understand the money raised go towards a good cause… I do receive the thank you emails advising the total raised but the extreme price increase for donated items is just not good at all. I’ve gone from walking out with 2 – 3 bags to 1 – 2 items or nothing at all.
Unfortunately, my mom and I are not as excited to shop there anymore. Hopefully, the powers in charge will review the current pricing structure.
This review represents my experience and opinion.
Thanks.

A small thrift store run by volunteers who have lots to talk about. All the women that volunteer here ARE my mom. I’m always very amused listening to their conversations.
«The cookies were just… dry.» «Mm, not good.» «No!»
:I suddenly hear someone breathing very close to me as I’m looking through the long sleeved tops: «Oh, sorry dear, I just need something to put on because it’s FREEZING in here…» I recommended checking out the blazers/​jackets section, from which I’d just come. A few minutes later I confirmed that she had in fact found a blazer to wear. I pointed it out, pleased. Her response: «Yes but the sleeves are TOO SHORT!!»
They get hilariously ruffled and scattered when it’s busy, but I don’t mind because it’s so funny. One woman rang up my two items, then walked away. The woman putting my things in a bag was like, I cannot hit the total button. That isn’t my job and I don’t know what she did. I was like no problem– I totally understand. I was amused, truly. Not annoyed. Becaaaauuuuusee — -
EVERYTHING IS $ 3 BASICALLY. I will put up with whatever I have to in order to buy a pair of J Crew pants for $ 3. Or a silk button-​down. Or a brand new Ann Klein dress with tags.

One of my absolute favorite thrift stores in Ann Arbor. The hours are a little inconvenient– only open until 4 pm, so I can’t go after work, but I will go about once a month on a Saturday to come see what they have. Their turnover is extremely quick, because they are picky about what items they allow in the store. I have gotten nice martini and champagne glasses here, for a few dollars.
I always can find clothing here that I like. The options are middle-​priced brands, such as Loft, Ann Taylor, the occasional J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, or BCBG. Style is a little more mature, but it’s perfect for looking for work clothes.
I have never been impressed with their shoe selection, but it’s neatly organized so I always take a glance. It is a very very organized store and everything is separated by item type and then color. There are 3 changing rooms available, which is convenient.
The prices are very reasonable, ranging from 3 – 8 dollars on average. All of the women working in the store are volunteering, and they are so-​so on being friendly, sometimes they’re too caught up in chatting with each other.
Cash only, which is just the only thing you need to remember. I like that it’s small so you can really go through everything to find if you want anything.

The previous reviews on this place have pretty much hit the nail on the head. Though I don’t know why they all gave such few stars. Like many thrift stores they are cash only. But the prices are extremely reasonable. Priced to sell. The cute little old lady’s that run the place may not say hello to everyone that walks in the door but this is Michigan. I’m quite entertained eavesdropping their conversations about crochet and knitting as I shop. This place gets 5 stars because I’ve never left empty handed and I’ve always felt like a winner with my useful finds.

Nice little thrift shop. Emphasis on little — it’s tiny.
Volunteer run. Proceeds/​donations go to a good cause so I would recommend coming here.
They carry a bunch of VHS tapes, and books. It’s a pretty decent selection.
Most of their clothing is for women.

This shop is run by what I assume to be older women who volunteer. Their level of welcoming various from neutral to a little cold. I always get a suspicious glance for whatever reason. I guess I look like one of those dern hooligans!
The best of the women’s section is definitely the shirts and blouses. They are organized by color and take up most of the outside long wall. There are few skirts, even fewer dresses, and some two– or three-​piece women’s suits. Sometimes there are a few sweaters in the mix and coats/​jackets. The average price is about $ 4 for most items. Shoes are over by the dressing rooms (two of them in the back of the store).
The men’s section is quite small but does have a decent selection of sweaters and long sleeve shirts. Some pants and coats.
The quality of the items are not necessarily grand. Maybe somewhere at the level of JC Penny’s? (aesthetically generic and from the 1990s). No vintage stuff that I’ve seen. When there are nice things they do price them higher.
There are also some jewelry items in the display case below the cashier counter but somehow I always forget to look. Boo.
The turn over isn’t all that impressive. I’ve seen the same general selection for sometimes over four months. But there are always a few people picking through stuff, almost none under 40 — caters to an older crowd.
Head’s up! They close at 4pm. And they are CASH ONLY — there is a drive-​up ATM almost next door that you can walk-​up to.
If you’re in the area, or if you have a lay-​over at the Arborland transfer bus stop on Washtenaw, pop in. Once in a while I find something decent in there.

Not a huge thrift store, this shop still warrants a stop in now and then. The store is staffed by older women. Though the store has clothing suitable for men as well, I’d say the overall stock seems to cater more towards women in their 50s+. However, for someone who likes to dress a bit grandma-​like at times, this is not totally a bad thing.
I found both a dress and a shirt, which rang up at just about $ 7 – 8, total. I can’t imagine being a regular here to cull through new stock, but I wouldn’t rule it out if I was running errands nearby and decided to browse for a few minutes. It’s size lends itself well to rather quick thrift shopping, rather than weaving through the many aisles of a larger Value World or Salvation Army store.