Aaardvark’s Odd Ark

O.K., Like this is really the coolest, most random, store… like totally rad, with everything you need to like, really shine, like I couldn’t recommend it enough, like if I sent you to another store like I wouldn’t do that cause like this place is the best so I would like you to go there. It is way coooool and totally random. And like L.A. is full of bums and stuff so if you go there you’ll look like totally rad cause you’ll be like the most beautiful person there.
Everything for the modern human unit.

This place is whack… Okay prices, great selection, at the heart of Melrose!

I went here on reviews from everyone else. I was really impressed that I could find just about everything I needed at this one place. The prices are very resonable for used stuff.

Very coooool. Especially for those like me who love the 60’s.
Good for costumes also, tons of eccentric stuff that’s fun to go through and marvel at. Inexpensive too!

OMG!!!
Greatness all around ;)
If you love vintage (Real Vintage) this is the SHIZNIT!!!
They have a great selection and nothing I saw was over $ 30.
I promise you’ll love it!
If you happen to be a classically chic person you’ll defiantly fall into any era of your hearts desire.
So like Nike says «Just Do It»

LOVED IT! amazing. nice people (although i did feel like i was being evaluated …), GREAT prices, GORGEOUS selection! i absolutely loved it, & everything is categorized well. it looked well put together & even though their stock can be a bit dodgy, this place is SO HUGE that it totally makes up for it. & whoever said to go to wasteland instead UM PLEASE DON’T. wasteland is the most overpriced vintage bullshit shops that i’ve ever been to. their used collection is undesirable. take a deeper look & spend some time in aaardvark’s & you’ll find something totally rad.

I don’t like this place. It smells like dead old women and nothing they have fits or even looks decent. You can maybe find 2 or 3 legit dresses, but they probably have stains on them. Go to Wasteland instead.

Dear America, I would like to personally apologize for the sudden slump in the economy. I was out of work for a few weeks and I see this has greatly affected the stock market — worldwide. In order to do my part, I took my fearless lioness on a trip with me to Melrose to get the economy stimulated again.
Our first tour of the shops was Aaardvark’s, which has changed its location from a corner store to the old porn shop, Drake’s. I felt a lingering sent of lube in the air, but that didn’t stop me from spotting a sweet deal: a bowler’s shirt.
My qualms with the store was the customer service. Well, logically, they would need to have customer service in order for me to critique it, so this is going to be a tough one. Let’s just say that it cut into my shopping time and at one point I wondered if the store was not charging people money for the used clothes. But America, I wouldn’t do that do you. I know you need my $ 15 to trickle down to your pocket. God bless you, U.S.A.

Beats the slim pickens in other cities, this spot makes up for the lack of good used fits, LA is full of good used clothes but when on Melrose, were else can you swoop a pair of shutter shades and a butter fly collar polyester. Nuff said.

I remember going here with my sisters when I was only about 6 years old in the early 80s. Wow, that’s how old my eldest kid is now! Anyway, I always thought this place was pretty cool. I still do. I found many halloween costumes here and I always had great compliments. I recently referred my 60 year old aunt to go there for her shopping needs as well. This place has been here for a years and years. When I’m strolling down Melrose – even if I don’t have anything to buy, I like walking in to see what they might have on the racks.

This store rox my sox off.
great selection of vintage clothing. The racks are all separated by decades and type. i went here to score my 80’s prom dress and the clerk caught me frowning and said no no no why so sad. I told him my dilemma and he started handing me dresses to try on. He was extremely helpful and all around cool guy.
after trying on 7 hot pink dresses and still no luck. he asked me how i felt about one sleeved dresses and in his hand was the golden ticket. It was the most amazing thing i ever saw and it fit like a glove! its a one sleeved metallic blue and black dress that makes me feel like an
80’ s sexy time icon.
he also snagged a gold rope belt to accesorize! You could tell helping peeps is like a treasure hunt for him. he genuinely loves making people smile!
the second guy i met had an outfit straight out of aardvark’s from head to toe complete with this crazy blue shoes. and you could tell he put a lot of thought and creativity into his look. love it. loved his hair too! it has inspired me to work vintage into my look
why not? its a lot greener and cheaper than the mall!
I felt like a million bucks walking out of aardvarks and i only spent 40!
i also got a skinny purple retro tie and some pin that says «i got used at aardvarks»
i will return. probably tomorrow!

Long before I moved to LA, I remember seeing the neon Aardvark’s sign in Pretty Woman and wondering what it was.
Given the limitless vintage clothing options in SoCal, Aardvark’s is a great spot.
Affordable — check.
Good selection — check.
I’ve managed to find at least a few things each time I’ve visited the Melrose location… and as an avid digger, I’ve found anything from casual dresses, to scarves, to tops.
Love love LOVE this place.

This store is my favorite vintage store. They have a great selection of sizes and variety! I have purchased polyester shirts and vintage cords here, to which I still have. The staff is very friendly and of course it’s a great excuse to shop on Melrose. I had trouble parking the last time… but it’s worth the circling for a spot. If you pray to Timothy Scott, the parking god, this usually works.“Timothy Scott, I need a spot.” I know I’m strange.

Great place to shop for vintage clothing. I’m the type that likes to wear Kramer’ish (Seinfeld) t-​shirts. They have tons of them here. Both mens & womans clothing. I’ve been to this one, Venice, and Pasadena. They also have a location in Canoga Park, and San Francisco.
If your looking for jackets, as I always am, check out the Pasadena location, if not Venice. You won’t be disappointed.

i usually come here to buy scarves. they have a lot and they’re like only $ 5 at max. better than paying $ 20 for one at wasteland or somewhere else.
the rest of the store… you may find some good pieces, you just have to look. but everything is really cheap. which is good.

it’s wacky…
it’s weird…
ah shucks… it’s MELROSE people! catch a clue… and check this out if you are in town… you never know what you might find or who you might see…

I had no idea this place had the «Odd Ark» at the end… interesting. Anyway, this place is perfect for halloween costume buying. They have the largest selection of band costumes and weird army stuff you’ve ever seen.
I needed pajamas for a pajama party once, found em here. Needed the worlds ugliest suit for an Ugly Suit party, found it here. Needed one of those arab head scarves that sheik dudes wear, found IT AND the head band thingy that keeps the scard of your head HERE. Male Flight Attendant outfit? Check.
You never know what you will find here, so come in with patience and get ready to look thoroughly through the racks. You will come up with something funky, and maybe something cool too.

Crazy clothes and costume ideas galore. If you are looking for the Pimp Daddy (Not to be confused with Puff Daddy, P-​Diddy, Diddy, PD, Diddy-​Yo or wait, where was I going with this? Oh yes…) of all costumes or you wanna be that groovy hippie or disco dancefloor mama, then this is the place to come!
It seems like their stock weighs in heavily on the 60’s and 70’s, bright colored side of the coin, but dig a little and you will find some fantabulous finds here. Great for those ridiculous velvet hats too and platform shoes and not bottom basement cheap, but certainly reasonably priced for the quality and flair you’ll find. Enjoy and hands off that Afro, cuz that’s got me written all over it!

Ok +1 star for the fact I got my entire costume in one fell swoop. I do like this Aaardvark’s and the kids that work ‘ere.
—original — -
Ok. Here is the difference between northern and southern California…
I went into Aardvark’s on Melrose with an LA buddy of mine and he said, «so is this a costume shop or something?»
Go into the SF counterpart and people are legitimately supplementing their wardrobes. What kills me is why is LA’s better?!
This one is bigger and even more eclectic. I liked it a lot to be honest even though I wasn’t the one doing the shopping. I just know that this one has loads of potential.

One of Melrose’s landmark shopping detinations, Aaardvark’s has a fabulous collection of used clothes for any taste.