The Salvation Army

Being as how I specialize in mid century modern furniture– literally– it’s my business; I’ve been to hundreds of thrift stores and I must confess, this store was the best!
Firstly, the store is MASSIVE! It has to be around 8k square feet! The store was super clean and set up in the same manner that one might picture a vintage store setup… not a thrift store.
The selection was incredible! They had over a dozen rugs, even the rugs were organized and hung on hangers the same way they would be if you were shopping at Bo Concept or some other high-​end furniture store.
They had 4 different furniture areas, and an area where they had new mattresses for sale at rock bottom prices.
I just so happened on this store on Friday when they were having their 50% off sale — I ended up buying 3 shaggy rugs for a total of $ 60! SCORE!
Huge selection, friendly cashiers and gentleman to help you load your awesome finds, and plenty of parking– what more could you ask for from a thrift store?!

They do 50% off everything towards the end of the month that makes stiff really cheap… Otherwise some things can be pricey since they try to price some of it as «antiques.» The furniture selection has been pretty good. Don’t expect any help, the staff are really rude and unhelpful which is ironic.

I had a really bad experience a few months back, but I didn’t write a review then because I wanted to give them a second chance. Went back today, and am still not impressed.
Last time I was there I spent a long time shopping and trying things on. I had a huge cart full! I got to the register to find my daughter had taken my wallet! They were closing so I didn’t have time to run home and get it. I asked if they could hold the items, and they said yes if I came back first thing in the morning. I arrived 25 minutes before the store opened and waited. When the doors opened I asked about my held cart and nobody knew what I was talking about. I described the items and found out that everything had been put back! So I wandered around trying to find what I could remember. I ended up digging through huge barrels and finding some things at the very bottom. I was not happy. They eventually confessed to me that they really don’t keep holds because people never come back! So why lie to me, and let me drive through rush hour to wait for nothing? Just say, I’m sorry we can’t hold these. At the very least it would have been nice if any of the employees had expressed willingness to help me find the items, or apology for what happened.
Today I went in looking for a small entry table. The furniture prices were absolutely… offensive. $ 120 for a dresser that would be $ 30 at Goodwill. I think some stuff was over $ 1000. The outrageously high prices were storewide, $ 79 for a queen air mattress that probably leaks? $ 14.99 for a scrapbook that probably cost that new? I understand pricing high when it is something truly valuable. These high prices just seemed really random, based on nothing other than an item being in a box or having a tag. Aside from high prices, it was disorganized and hard to shop. Especially in the Bric-​A-​Brac area, things were just thrown on shelves, and a bunch of things would fall down if I grabbed something. The employees who saw me struggling did offer to help, which was really appreciated. The saddest thing to me was at checkout, the gentleman in front of me was buying a single pair of shoes, he had to count out some change to pay for them. As he was counting the cashier just glared at him with the most penetrating death glare ever.
I think the Salvation Army is a great organization, but this store really really needs help!

My friend said he got a beautiful crystal bowl here so I decided to come and see what they had. I couldnt beleive the amazing collection of crystal in here! It all looked like it should be displayed behind glass, so I picked myself up a set of champagne flutes. I combed through the store, and would have gotten more if I wasnt afraid it would break on the ride. Right before I left I found a lovely pair of classic long stem burgandy glasses. I also found a leather trash can for my bathroom! I almost wanted to keep all of this to myself so that I can go in there and buy the rest of the crystal…

I was looking around for an economical chair for a brief period and this was one of a few SoDo spots I’d checked out.
Parking is rather straight forward and the crowd is always diverse. The chair section is off to the side in a less-​lit portion (but still sufficient, I think). Most of furniture around this area was dated yet perhaps still sturdy. I did find one chair that I did quite like: it was of moderate age and probably one of the first with multi-​lever fun. It had good adjustments and function… but then it hit me: it’s just a liiiiittle bit too big for me (and heavy).
Oh well, you move on.

This thrift store is really large and has a small parking lot above ground, and a small parking lot below ground.
Their furniture section is rather large. I saw lots of couches and lamps. I didn’t see as many tables as some other places. For some odd reason, there are also lamps interspersed around the store, where the clothing would be.
We picked up a cute side lamp for only $ 4. Salvation Army was doing a special where most of the store was 50% off!
The clothing was very so so. It was organized but not nearly as well as some of the other thrift shops. Same with the handbags. I saw lots of Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and Express here for some reason.

I really liked this thrift store. There was a great selection of clothing, in all sizes and styles. We got a lot of great things for next to nothing.
Unfortunately, we found out about the Salvation Army’s policy of discrimination against homosexuals, so we won’t be back. If they’d wise up, we’d love to return!

BEST TACKY XMAS SWEATER SELECTION EVER! This place is actually pretty nice and big for a thift store. Doesn’t even smell funky in there and you can actually find a lot of decent brands in there. I saw a bunch of Gap and Old Navy type stuff while I was digging for the ultimate tacky xmas sweater!

I got the most hideous Ugly Christmas Sweater here last week. It is a sure fire winner.
The sweater itself is Pink pastel and it looks like a crew of Santa’s Elves threw up on it.
And strangely everything in the store was 50% off? Bonus!
Best $ 4 I have ever spent.

I absolutely loved stopping in at the Burien S. A. and finding a bargain. The prices were great. People were nice and the place was neat. I have purchased furniture, jewelry, craft items, shoes and clothing for grandkids (gorgeous dresses!) and much, much more.
The closing of the Midway and Burien S.A. stores was a terrible decision. The manager said they made a good profit during the year, so why close it?
There are so many low income people in these areas that need a thrift store that is accessible and has decent prices. How are low income people able to get to the main store in Seattle? And the parking is just miserable.

Price is awesome.

I was thoroughly impressed w/​location and after just coming from the GWill outlet store. I’ve only been to 2 other locations of thrift stores that compared to this one! Downtown San Francisco and Downtown Portland, OR.
People were dressed up nice, the displays were good, it was clean and was not stinky at all!
I grabbed a calendar for the December month, 50% off Christmas items the week of Christmas! just a heads up!

The number one reason I don’t go here more often is the parking lot. The lot in front of the store is usually full and you will have to go around the block again to get to the second lot they have for Salvation Army customers. Unfortunately I usually forget to turn into that second overflow lot until I’ve already passed it.
The selection in this store is good and it is considerably organized for how much inventory they have. They also have a fabulous collectibles room off to the side of the store that almost made me buy a pinball machine once (even though I have no room for it!) Some days I go straight to the collectibles room, it’s not necessarily cheaper than any other collectible sections at thrift stores, but their variety of stuff is amazing!

This place is the bomb. com. I have been several times and am never disappointed. It is really good sized, has tons to choose from and although I live in Los Angeles, I’ve found so many lovely pieces of antique furniture, I’ve considered getting a uhaulit to take the stuff back home. Husband thinks I’m nuts. He may be right but between the serving pieces to fill in for missing china pieces, the shoes, the small appliances, the Halloween kids costumes, etc. this place is a great find. Added bonus… it’s walking distance from an equally terrific Goodwill.

This is not your typical thrift store… it’s huge, with many great finds. They have TV’s, furniture, and yes… even antiques. I’m not big on thrift-​clothing, something about stained pits always turns me off… but a used coffee table, I’m always down for a good deal. Check it out if your interested in other peoples’ junk. Cheers!