The Abbot’s Thrift

This is one of the most unfriendly places for people with kids. Don’t bring your kids unless you want to be Hawkeyed and badgered by every woman over 65. My son was playing with a few matchbox cars and one employee was worried that some elderly person would trip over him and sue. I picked up the cars he was playing with and noticed some broken glass. The same woman could care less about the broken glass when I told her, said it happened all the time, and left it there never cleaning it up. I suppose she was unconcerned that my son could be cut by the many shards left on the floor and need medical attention. When we were getting ready to check out, my son ran up the isle to get his things. As I was telling him not to run in stores, the cashier announces over the loud speaker that there is no running in the store. I can’t believe this place is supposed to be a Christian run charity. Obviously they have forgotten the golden rule. I will never go back.

It’s a five for me… for the best of reasons.
1) Prices for what I select are always a bargain. How much so, I don’t want to let others know.
2) I don’t go there because of the people, but since I mention that — they are great. I bring them some brown paper bags once and awhile, which they can use. I treat them with respect, and they look out for me. I’d like to buy them all Christmas presents this year, because they have outfitted my cabin almost 100%, and provided me with some incredible buys along the way.
3) They are honest, and even though you get only 3 days to bring it back — well, crap — they are giving you usually an incredible price. If you can’t test things in that time, too bad (I’m talking about electronics here)
4) I’ve given up EVER buying anything new, if I don’t have to. Of course sometimes you do, and somethings you must buy new of course (for items that are too personal, like a mattress) — but tables, chairs, and even couches — no way will I fork over that kind of money again for new. It’s better for our environment as well. Just inspect it, make sure you don’t have to delouse it — and get on with your life. The money saved will help you find better things to do with it.
Abbots is not the only place I go now, I go to Gray Bears (or is it Grey?) — as they have some fantastic deals, and a large selection. I bought a 24″ HDMI computer monitor, for $ 35.00, that works beautifully, and it’s a touch monitor (controls are all touch, not buttons). I was in shock, and it’s been working beautiful for a month. They also have some special sales on certain days. You look it up. I almost hate writing this review.
But Abbots shocked me the most — with repeated good deals, good people, and good God if you do not go here once and awhile, you are missing out. I stop in as much as I can just to see what has come in next. The last time was a desk, that I’m typing on now — it’s actually a design center like table, beautiful finish, great wooden chair, side shelf for a computer, shelves in the middle — plenty of room for 3 monitors, which I’m looking at the left one now — only problem is a broken castor on the chair, which will stay on (just don’t pick up the chair), and a some scratches on the left side of the desk (not at all bad). Price, $ 48.00 /​new, I’d say this thing must have cost at least 200 — 250, possibly more. It’s a very good quality desk. I loved it when I saw it.
They deserve this write up, so I don’t mind doing it. I have some favorite people there, but I won’t tell you, I worked on getting to know them. Good luck hunting!

Good thrift show if you’re being a thrifty person and not a dirty hipster. Decent service but it often times it seems a little barren.

Man, people sure are whiny about this place. I guess these reviewers go to thrift shops for service with a smile and the ambiance. Me, I go to thrift shops because I’m thrifty. Abbot’s has a great election of stuff for way better prices than most places in Santa Cruz! I particularly like their furniture selection. Got a very nice desk chair for $ 20 and two matching, new-​looking floor lamps for $ 12 each. Sure, it is a goofy Santa Cruz kind of joint. I was particularly amused by the employee explaining the healing magnetic properties of hematite to a customer. But I am a practical man and such distractions don’t throw me off the scent of a good deal.

very cool people. nice selection from day to day. great prices! the kitty inside is cute.

I agree with Sunshine L. — «except when Joanna is working». What has happened to Joanna to make her so acidic, so abrasive? And then there’s the younger woman who plays the music of Queen non-​stop. Ahk! Ugh! «Make it stop!» Who is in charge at this place???

I kind of don’t want to do a review of this place, just to keep it a well kept secret. But that wouldn’t be fair to the store. It’s my favorite thrift shop. Its fun to browse, the prices are reasonable to amazing, and all the people I have encountered working there are very kind and helpful. Joann (or Joanna-​terrible with names) is such a kind woman. I swear people come in just to talk to her and then end up buying something. I’m happy to donate my extras here, and the random finds I have found here are incredible.

Every time I am in the area this is a must stop shop. For a thrift store (I shop many) this has a lot of great stuff, very well organized and the prices you can not beat. You can purchase a china cabinet for $ 20 were most places would charge $ 50-​$ 100. The clothes section is very well organized and very easy to find sizes. I buy work slacks for $ 2 a pair here. Last weekend I bought 6 pairs total, 4 still had original tags (Macy’s& Gap)

Never find anything for myself here … I donate stuff all the time … Staff is friendly enough. Seems pretty organized … They might want to do a little quality control … Found a few dresses with broken zippers … But I guess if someone likes it badly enough… They could fix it

I love shopping at this store except when Joanna is working. She is rude, condescending, arrogant but in the «nicest possible way». I hate asking her for anything. I am treated like I am imposing on her time. Take a vacation!

Store is very cute, well organized, priced reasonable, and found a couple things I couldn’t leave without. Plus — store cat. Fifth star!

Books are being refreshed far less often and the children’s section has shrunk to half full. Still fun and friendly, but come on, please keep the bookshelves full!

This is one of those stores where you have to dig. Lots of items, not well organized, but a fun endeavor for us latent hunter-​gatherer types.
They seem to have frequent 50% off specials which we found in our pile inadvertently. Hard to manage with a young child without losing them amongst the racks.
Would visit again for the adventure, but take a compass!
FYI Sunday hours are mis-​posted, they don’t open until noon. Not sure when they close that day.

I used to feel I had to wash my hands after browsing here, it was so grungy. Now it is much cleaner. The remodel is a very good change! I can’t shop there much anymore though, as I have young children and they no longer allow access to the restrooms. Isn’t that illegal?
They’ve downsized the children’s department and housewares seems a bit more sparse… more room dedicated to adult clothes, it seems.

Hate the new revamping and remodel. Also the big goons out front making sure
they want what you have to donate. Yesterday there were four of them out there. I went to Goodwill instead! Used to be fun to hunt around, now I go maybe once a month. Only good thing is Lucy and Johanna. Well. the cats also! Too much clothing not enough «junk». Seems they will be making less $$ to donate to charity… do they
still do that??? Five stars only for Johanna and rest of employees. The new owners
made a mistake. Hate the display cases in the front, just a stupid way to display junk they think is valuable. Two stars only because your still in business!!!

Basically, their «remodel» was more of a full on frontal lobe lobotomy. Absolutely loved the place before, it was basically a ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ mix of clothing and random item treasure hunting. Now it has become like every other thrift store, a soulless 80% clothing and 20% everything else.
Maybe they downsized their inventory for the painting and revamp? I will go back in a month or two and see if it’s anywhere near it’s former level of rummaging fun and will update this review accordingly.
Side note, I miss the fish and the 50% off days.

LOVE this thrift store! They have great clothes, books and so much more! I especially like the employees and like the changes they made with the remodel! Great job!!!

Used to be the best thrift store until it was revamped. Now it is just like all the rest. The workers are nice and the store is clean, but just not the same. Too many clothes and no character, plus no more half off Tuesdays.

Great! Large and in charge. Pretty good prices and super nice employees.

Nothing much to say except that it’s church affiliated and even before I figured that out I was pretty disappointed in the lack of anything interesting in the shop. A little weak for a thrift store.