Unicorn Thrift Shop

The best thrift shop in all of San Jose! ‘nough said!
Support Ming Quong with your purchases!

The short: Cramped and crowded thrift store.
The lighting was dim, clothes were crammed in and didn’t feel nice to the touch. As another Unilocaler stated, they really did use the space as much as possible.
I did like the books collection and the glassware section, where I bought two glass vases.
The store does donate to EMQ Families, an organization that helps out with mentally challenged kids. Huge plus to that and a great motivator for shoppers who thrift for a cause.

Some VERY good bargains on used-​yet-​new looking clothes (both casual and formal). I bought a bunch of new looking tops and pants for only $ 3-​$ 5 a piece and was able to get a new wardrobe for about ¹⁄₂₀ the price it would have cost me at Macy’s.

There are some high– end type clothes here, and if you get here at the right time, you might find some, and at better prices than the often overpriced Goodwill. Not everything here is necessarily fashionable, but there is a wide variety. Often there are lots of party items here. They sell socks here, which is pretty important for people who ruins them quickly — the price can’t be beat! Ditto belts. You can also find a lot of dishes, linens, vases and other housewares there which are sometimes vintage-​y, sometimes not. They would be great for furnishing a beach house or vacation cabin. Also check out the tons of books — you can read for hours here! Lps here, too — if you’re a Pat Boone fan, hurry on over to check it out before they’re all gone! All in all, a really cute store in a cute location!

Since I got my first prom dress here for $ 15, this cute little thrift store will always have a place in my heart.
Since the store is quite small it is always a hit or miss when you stop by here, but every now and again there are great finds at very cheap prices, not like more expensive, cooperate thrift stores (Goodwill). The workers are always very friendly and I would recommend shopping here as you are supporting a good cause.

This is a fairly small store yet every square inch is used well. It is one of the best-​organized thrift shops I have ever visited. All the clothing is accurately hanging by size, so it is easy to take a quick look and find what might work for you. Kudos! The prices are fairly reasonable — for example most women’s jackets are $ 9. The people are pleasant and friendly, too.

Cute little store. Housewares flow in and out. I stop there once a month or less, just to see if I can catch it on a good day. Got a few total scores. The clothes are well organized on the womens side (by size). Men’s leaves a little to be desired, but it’s a tiny thrift store, they sell what they get in. Kids wear, they get a lot of local uniforms in, so if you are at a school with uniforms, DEFINITELY worth a stop to check in. Service has ALWAYS been cordial and responsive. They hold things behind the counter while you shop. Kids books could be slightly cheaper, but their selection varies throughout the year.
If you are looking to donate, don’t think twice, go here.

I love the name of this store. When I dropped by they were having a sale, a couple of racks were on sale for a dollar a piece. Overall I thought this store was cute, and eclectic. Most of the clothing seemed to be for an older crowd. They had a pretty good selection of kitchen ware/​decorative stuff.
Some things are horribly over priced though… They had some used Tom Yum noodle bowls for 0.50…I’m pretty sure the bowls including noodles at about Asian market cost less than that.

I really liked this little place. I love supporting local shops and Ming Quong is an even better cause. Some of this stuff is a big junky but in general they have lots of good stuff… cute shoes and jewelry and the book section is a great find. Books are cheap cheap cheap. I don’t know much turn over they have or how much new titles they get but for a little local store that doesn’t specialize in books they sure had some good ones. I will be back

This shop was pretty cute.
They had a great housewares section and their prices were pretty on par with what you’d expect to pay for used items.
They had prompt and friendly service and I walked away with an Asian inspired, calf length, light weight coat for about twelve dollars.
Score! Thanks Unicorn!

Suggested by someone I met at King of Clubs. This place has a pretty good selection for an out-​of-​the-​way hole-​in-​the-​wall. I found a few fun dresses here and will definitely check back from time to time.

This was one of those thrift stores someone is trying to make into a boutique, an overpriced boutique. I’m so tired of going to thrift stores where the prices are so high you forget you’re in a thrift store… The point is to find cool, old and interesting things at a low price.

I have been meaning to stop and check this place out for about a year now, but something else always seems to come up. Finally I found some time to come check it out and I was pleasantly suprised! This place has lots packed into their small space and its fun to go exploring. I found that their prices werent outrageous either! Their clothes section is decent and I found a couple cute things for my house. AND they have a pretty cute jewelry selection!
I didnt have a lot of time to stay, but I will def be back!

I’ve found some great cookbooks and interesting jewelry here! My only complaint is that the volunteers there can be kinda grumpy… but I probably would be to if I had to sort through smelly shoes and such all day!

It’s a smaller store but you can still manuever around pretty well.
I really liked their jewelry section. Plenty of cute, unique necklaces, a rack of earrings and some cool looking bangles. I scored two, a long 3 strand gold necklace for $ 3 and a dark silver one with black stones for $ 6.
One thing that kind of made me laugh was when I was in the fitting room and I saw a sign that said something like, «We prosecute shoplifters! Don’t make us take away the fitting rooms!» Why would anyone steal from thrift stores? Wouldn’t it be more worth it to steal something from a department store… where it’s new and more valuable? Most things were under $ 10 that I saw.
Overall, really good deals on some stuff. Most of the women’s clothes were random Forever 21, Charlotte Russe type stuff or old women’s stuff with shoulder pads galore. You need to dig because I did find some BCBG, Banana Republic, and Theory stuff, unfortunately all just not my size. I’ll definitely be back. =]

I went on Saturday, in the strip mall next to Charlie’s Cheesecakes.
A small place but chock full of clothes and holiday items now. They have tag sales, had the 50% blue tag sale when I went. The place is cramped and jam packed with nice clothes, older people styles, 40 – 60’s but some quality brands because of it. It love this store because everything is SIZED, I loved that!
Plenty of staff, I saw 4 were working and people coming in all the time dropping off clothes in the back room. Parking as easy with their own lot.

Anything for Ming Quong is OK in my book.
There are some good deals here, that is for sure but they won’t let you use the bathroom while you are shopping. What is that all about? Am I a crimminal?
Lots of books off in the corner, kind of dirty inside, some pretty junky electronics, clothes are above average in quality and price. Limited men’s selection. Shoes I wouldn’t put on my feet. Housewares are also kind of beat-​up looking. As far as women’s stuff goes, they certainly have much more to choose from, so they probably have better luck than I would, being a man.
Frankly, I was expecting more here and have never actually bought anything, just looked around from time to time.
Why the 4 stars? As I said, any money for Ming Quong is going to a great organization. So go here, give it a look see and hopefully you will have better luck than I did in finding something you like.

I just came back from my first visit to this excellent thrift store! I’ve heard this place was great, and shopping there solidified the rumor. They’re having their $ 1 sale today (not sure when that will end). I was skeptical because a thrift store sale is often a little disappointing once I get a look at the merchandise. Not true at Unicorn. In San Jose, I’d say they have the best used clothes I’ve seen. Decent collection of books and housewares.
They lost a star because merchandise was crammed everywhere so I kept running into people. That could be because they wanted to put out lots of merchandise for the sale.

Thrift shopping (yay!), high end clothing, friendly volunteers working the register, and awesome «all you can get in the bag» sales. I have been going here for years, especially when looking for work clothes.
Unlike other thrift stores, the items are obviously pre-​scanned for quality (I’ve never found anything torn, stained, or whatever), and yet even without a sale the prices are reasonable.
And best of all — walking distance from home. :)

In the interest of full disclosure, this thrift store supports the children and families where I work, EMQ Children & Family Services. Now, with that aside, let me tell you why Unicorn deserves five stars:
1) Great prices! The volunteers who staff the store know their stuff in pricing. Check out their bag sales. All you can stuff into a grocery bag for $ 7 (the price may have risen). It’s still a BARGAIN!
2) New stock is received almost daily. They are always putting out new stock and rotate certain items to reflect the holidays. I’ve picked up some great holiday themed items here.
3) Friendly and helpful staff. Sure, you’re thinking because I work at EMQ they know that and are nice to me. I don’t know all the volunteers. They’re just nice, hardworking folks.
So, check ‘em out. You’ll help children and help your budget stretch some $$$ further.