Preservation Resource Center Salvage Store

I went in here to look for two matching doors that were tall enough for my high ceilings. I did indeed find the doors, however, they weren’t priced yet. After perusing through the horribly disorganized inventory for 20 mins, I located a female employee who seemed as if she didn’t want to be bothered at all.
After looking at the doors, this woman took another 30 mins to try to locate a calculator just to price two doors that were DONATED. She came back seemingly pissed and gave me a price of $ 750.00 for two raggedy doors that seriously needed refurbishing. I asked her how she arrived at that price point and she simply struggled and said «I just price them whatever I feel like».
Upon leaving, I overheard a gentlemen asking her how many sales did they make that day, she replied «none». And they wonder why. She was in her mid 40’s at least with short hair. Please fire her immediately. The customer service was hideous, I wound NOT recommend this place.

To give it two stars is generous.
:-(
I WANT to love salvage places just by design. I’m a freak restoration person and have a history of using salvage in my houses over the years. I’ve spent a ton of time at the Bank (uptown) and Riccas and found both to be solid but my god what is this???
Frankly it’s a mess. Unorganized and the prices are simply outrageous. I saw a very typical door missing glass, rotted out for $ 250. SMH. They aren’t protecting any of the outside very well so items that were probably one day in semi good shape are rotten and soggy.
I expected so much more. In a city like New Orleans it’s almost hard to have a salvage place that is just so bad.
If I didn’t know better I would have thought it was a junk yard… and I too was there for 45 minutes and never saw any staff.
Sad.

Perhaps I expected too much, but after walking 3 miles through a mix of houses fascinated by the intricate trim, hardware and windows on even the shoddiest of properties, I was SO disappointed. There was nothing unusual. Was the management helpful or not? Wouldn’t know. I was there for ½ hour and never saw anyone. Not at all impressed. I travel a lot and stop at salvage places all over the country — this was pretty close to the bottom. It should all be at the Green Project next door and then you would feel good when you found something cool. By pulling the «good» stuff out it makes both places look bad.

Not sure how stuff ends up here instead of at the Green Project next door. But they do have some interesting and BIG architectural pieces. The last time I was over they had a bunch of desks, some weird half finished art projects, some random cabinets, columns, arches, and some in need of repair neon.
Wander around and see if they have what you need.

I have restored 8 properties in Bywater since 2000 and have spent a LOT of time at the salvage stores shopping for groovy doors, windows, flooring etc. As much as I like the PRC I have to give their salvage store an «Eek!» rating… While they do occasionally get some pretty cool things in stock… the prices can be high compared with the green project right next door… Their pricing makes absolutely no sense to me.
I also have to agree with one of the other reviews about the manager Melanie. Several months ago I was interested in a newel post that was perfect for my house and two cool old doors. The newel post had no price on it. The nice guy helping me said he’d have to get the manager. She came out of the office with the biggest frown and acted as if I was being a royal pain in the ass for asking a price on this post. She told me 145.00. I agreed and scratched the price down on my checkbook, but asked if she could do any better on the two doors as one was pretty beat up at the bottom. She said no which was fine. I asked if the guy helping me if he could hold them for me while I went to get a truck and shop next door at the green project he agreed. I returned two hours later and the manager came out to help me. She then told me the newel post was 150.00. I showed her where I had written down the 145.00 price earlier and she said «Are you accusing me of a lie? I remember you trying to haggle on this and I Never forget a price, take it or leave it! You have One Minute!» I paid the 150.00 and left very disgusted.
While the Preservation Resource Center downtown is a great source for information and does great work in our city, the Salvage Store could do much much better with lower prices and a friendlier manager.
For now I will stick to the Green Project next door.

Very nice place to pick up a spare window or door or any other bit of bob you might need to either repair or improve your digs. This is the third stop whenever we head over to Harold’s for some more plants. Walk next door to the Green project for even more stuff to check out.

As the other salvage businesses in the area grow, I find that they become stocked with items that are increasingly contemporary. The mission of the PRC though ensures that this particular one remains more focused on the historical elements that I would be looking for. Nevertheless, the price does reflect the more selective stock.

I want to love this place; been in here alot. Never found anything that sparked me.
Most stuff is kinda generic; unique items seem pretty sparse, or seriously beat to heck.
I’ll keep going in, though, just in case I eventually find a gem.

Located right next to the Green Project, this smaller salvage store is… how shall we say… proud of their finds & have prices to match. Admittedly, they have very cool architectural remnants that the Green Project lacks. But several pieces cost upwards of $ 500.
I think I’ll come back to pick up some burglar bars for my windows. They’re under $ 10 and totally functional. A little de-​rusting and they’ll be just as nice as the new ones that cost 4x as much!
Basically, stop by this place if you haven’t found what you’re looking for at the Green Project next door.

I have soo much love for the PRC Salvage Store! There is soo much there from shutters, paint, windows, lighting, sinks, toilets, I could go on for forever!!! Basically if you can find it in a house, you can find it here FOR CHEAP! There is just possibility on top of possibility with the treasures here.

I absolutely love this store. Some definitely unique finds in here. One of my favorites is beautiful stained doors that really get my creative juices going. The store sells materials from houses that has been de-​constructed. Its a great store to help you put together new ideas for your home from historic items that definitely show New Orleans flavor.
This is also a cool store just to visit and check out neat new things!