Grey Bears Thrift Store - Santa Cruz, California

Steve L.

Grey Bears takes many types of items for recycling or resale. I haven’t checked out their resale shop but hear that it’s good. I’ve been able to recycle most of the items I’ve taken there. They don’t take lithium batteries, for example. People working there have been friendly and helpful. I haven’t had to wait more than a few minutes in line to drop things off. Great community nonprofit!

TheBayArea831

We love to thrift shop. Today we made it just in time before they closed. I found great deals on some doll stands Ive been searching for. $2 each 🙂 The thrift store has a nice selection of books, Checkout their calendar of deals. Parking is limited on the street. But they have more parking in the back of the buildings.

JoAnn S.

Are you looking for treasures? This is a great place to go for collectibles. It is a scavenger hunt. Need inexpensive clothes?
Go behind the thrift store where they have their super deals.

This is a great place to take your recyclables. Besides E-waste, clothing, they have bins for paper, different color glass, etc--so much better than WW recycling bins.

The profit goes back to feeding the elders in the community.

One con is that they are so popular that parking can be a problem.

Deanna D. P.

Overall good place but I’m bothered about my experience with an employee. It’s Friday 9/20 and today luggage/bags (not purses) is clearly shown to be 50 percent off. I was in the luggage/bag section and found a backpack I liked, I went to the counter and he said it was not a part of the sale and proceeded to tell me a backpack is not a bag. Even though it was with all the other bags and luggage in the section. I’m not sure what else you would call it. The actual definition of a backpack is a large bag lol and can be used as a carry on BAG on a plane? I think they should change their wording or make sure their employees have common sense & understand their pricing. The discount isn’t the issue, the issue is that he was rude and tried to make me feel stupid. To top it off the backpack literally has a huge brand tag on it that is called “bag nation” yet it’s not a bag 🤣

Wil M.

One of the best thrift stores in the Santa Cruz area. A great place to find furniture and computer equipment. The staff here is amazingly friendly and very willing to help.

Suzanne S.

Some excellent deals on medical supplies and equipment. Bookshop is excellent. Suggest going in afternoon as so little parking available before 1 pm. Unfortunately, in the last year, prices have gone way up in the China section. And also in the last year, the clothing section, which used to be very clean and well organized, is now so full and disorganized that it’s very difficult to find anything you might seek. Please do something to improve the clothing area. Computer area very comprehensive and helpful staff there.

A. C.

Our day to day helping the public accepting donations can be overwhelming from the happiest, kindest, humble patient people on Earth to the rudest, disrespectful, distressed, low of the low that you can imagine do come along at our donation tent. I personally stayed as helpful and reasonable as I am and get through my day!

Emily L.

Great selection of items, especially furniture, antiques, yarn, and crochet and knitting supplies. Staff is courteous and provides great customer service. Plus proceeds from the store go to a great cause! I could not recommend this store more highly.