Hospice by the Bay

Wonderful items and great cause!!! Hospis really needs funds to help people stay at home and be with family!!!

This shop has some nice things, a little pricey, but nice. The art and bric and brac is good, they have a good selection of books, which are still reasonable, and some nice clothing. The jewelry is especially pricey. This store has horrible customer service. The volunteers are hostile and unhelpful. They are particularly unhelpful to Latinos and other minorities and disregard everyone who doesn’t speak English perfectly. I still come here occasionally if I am in the neighborhood, but never make a special trip anymore. Also, of course, the parking is awful both on 4^th St. and Lincoln Avenue on the weekends, so I don’t even try then

We would like to thank the social worker Sarah S. for her warm heart, support and very effective help. We deeply appreciate it

I love thrift stores, but I am really tired of thrift stores pretending they are a «boutique». I have been noticing a lot of these high priced thrift stores popping up in the last 5 years. If you call your establishment a «thrift store» then your prices should reflect that. I saw an African basket in the window of this store, and they were asking close to $ 200.00 … I can get the same basket (NEW) for $ 34.00 at whole foods.
Don’t get swindled here.

I’m sad to write this review, however I feel I must voice my thoughts. This used to be one of my favorite thift shops and I would frequent often. However in the past 4 to 6 months the prices have skyrocketed and it feels like the inventory has become much slimmer while becoming more tacky. I rarely leave there lately feeling that giddy feeling I used to get. Unfortunate also, is the management… talk about snooty. The volunteers are wonderful and seemed to agree with me recently when I expressed distaste over a used robe being priced at $ 45. Okay it was silk and slightly vintage, but also came with stains. I would skip this stop for now.

Is a requirement to have Resting B*tchface to work here?
Or a palpable discomfort with anyone who isn’t an Anglo (that means white) Boomer?
Because with the exception of ONE day I’ve been in here which was was pleasant, every other time I’ve been here the customer service has been DIRE. A good friend of mine and I found ourselves in the neighborhood and when she referred to it as the ‘uppity thrift store’ I laughed out loud and said, ‘You too?!’ Service is cool (as in chilly), slow, and suspicion-​laden.
Most irritating of all — one weekend I saw an item in the window I wanted. They told me to come back a week from Tuesday at 9:30am (effectively shutting anyone out with a regular job — thankfully I have flexibility, but thanks for that on behalf of all working people, folks) to see if I could get it. When I arrived at 9:20am and got in the line full of Boomers, listening to one talk about starting his business reselling antiques on Ebay, I assumed the door would be unlocked at 9:30 and we could go in and collect our treasures.
NOPE. Nyet, Nein.
Apparently the system is to ONLY let the people who have been waiting in line in one at a time, keeping the rest behind the (figurative) velvet rope outside. Meanwhile, people who tried to enter randomly, NOT for front window items, were admitted. We discussed among ourselves ‘well, how would they know if you said you weren’t there for a window item and then you walked in and bought it?’ A woman in line told me they play favorites with ‘dealers,’ giving them better prices and preferential treatment (this of course was a subjective rumor, to be fair), which kind of defeats the purpose of a retail thrift store, does it not? It just all seemed disorganized, mean-​spirited, and deeply uncool.
Cute stuff, but I probably won’t be going back.

I come here every time I eat at my favorite Puerto Rican restaurant right across the street just to browse around. They have a lot of cute things here like plates, tea sets, books, clothes, and other little trinkets that you can think of. Prices vary depending on what you’re looking for but most of the things are inexpensive. I bought my jewelry box here for only $ 5 which was practically a steal! I also bought these 4 very nice wolf plates that are for display at $ 5 each! I really do like this place because you never know what hidden treasures you can find here.

Shop here sporadically when I’m in the ‘hood. It’s like a treasure hunt, sometimes you find things worthwhile, sometimes it’s a bunch of junk. Came here yesterday and bought boxed Christmas cards for $ 1 each. Good deal. Sadly many of the boxed cards were way overpriced. The clothes always seem a bit worn out, washed a zillion times, sad. The shopper needs to be discriminating. Only one volunteer cashier yesterday, and big, long, slow line. Recommend to stop into this store every now and again when you are in the neighborhood. Don’t make a special trip for this store. Also, the parking meters in San Rafael are going up to $ 1.50 an hour, and add that San Rafael has the highest sales tax, (thanks Marin voters!), it may not make sense to stop by even if you are in the ‘hood.

Not easy to donate. I have a LOT of nice clothes, shoes to donate and for two days now, the gate to their parking lot has been closed. Their phone goes to a fax machine. Bummer, I love how hospice helps the community and really wanted to give to them but it’s off to Sal. Army.

We had Lauren Kenney, the Bereavement Services Manager, come by and speak to my staff about processing, coping, and working through Grief and Loss.
Lauren connected well with staff and provided a lot of useful information and resources. So great that they are able to go out and provide this kind of community outreach, support, and education as part of what they do onsite.
Thank you so much Hospice By The Bay!
–Your Friends at Lutheran Social Services of Northern California

My experience at Hodge Podge Thrift was, sadly, not as good as some of my fellow Unilocalers.
I did manage to find two small houseware items in the mix of old and new stuff.
Over-​all, the prices were high and the woman cashiering was unpleasant, she actually seemed annoyed that I was buying something. While she may be a volunteer, she is still working with the public… yikes!
Street, meter, parking only.
Probably will not return.

I wouldn’t waste too much time on clothing here. It’s randomly priced and mostly awful, nothing funky or fun. A few sweaters with potential as well as some jackets but nothing I would actually wear. No shoes to speak of. Crafty stuff inventory probably just depends on donations at the time. Housewares and décor as well as furniture would be your best bets.
I saw some decent framed pictures and art, plenty of glassware that was pretty nice, and some interesting costume jewelry in the cases. Like a lot of volunteer run organizations their hearts are in the right place but they might want to lighten up a little bit, it seems like every decision and transaction was like a big to do and they got all fussy.

Hospice has upped their hardcover prices to $ 2. random books are priced higher.
buys: «how the republicans stole chrimtmas», bill press (3)
notes:
–not the bargain they used to be, but still unique…3 stars now.

What a great shop, a wide variety of fun household items, books and clothing at reasonable prices.
Not only are you taking home a treasure but your money is going to a non-​profit hospice that supports its patients and families, regardless of their ability to pay giving people the opportunity to remain at home!
What a great shop!

PEOPLE OF COLOR IN MARIN COUNTY: BE AWARE AND DO NOT SHOP AT THIS RACIALLY DISCRIMINATING THRIFT SHOP!!!
Hodge Podge of San Rafael is the best racially discriminating thrift store in Marin County! I am appallled that they apply their selling policy of unmarked items to their Caucasian customers. I have shopped their numerous times, only to leave their shop frustrated because they would NOT sell me an unmarked (priced) item.
Today I witnessed a situation whereby a Caucasian customer was allowed to purchase his unmarked item without question. After to bringing it to the cashier’s attention she ignored me.

Hospice did a wonderful job in helping my mother-​n-​law when she was ill; what great volunteers! I decided I would leave some barely used sweaters with the thrift shop. As I walked in I was amazed at how much they carried and how organized everything is! Of course clothing, but kitchen ware, books, jewelery, and much more!
If you love looking for that special little item that once had a home, don’t miss this shop!

HodgePodge in San Rafael is one of the best thrift stores in Marin County. Not only do they sell great quality clothes, books, furniture and housewares at AMAZING prices, but if you want to donate your own stuff, they accept everything and anything (unlike those other picky thrift stores). And it’s super easy to get a receipt.
If you happen to decorate your home for Christmas, this store does a complete over-​the-​top redo with all kinds of decorations for sale. Never buy a light string for full price again becuase they had baskets and baskets of them for super cheap; also garlands, Santas, ornaments etc.
We stop by the store each week to see what’s new and the store always looks different and fresh. Free parking in the back too.
And the money goes for one of the best causes around… Hospice.