St Alban’s Church Opportunity Shop

It is hard to give away your stuff in DC. After having driven all over the DMV to donate stuff at various times, I was happy to locate St Albans finally. A great place to donate clothes and housewares and and interesting mix of items for shopping. Merchandise seems to turnover frequently so a it may be good to pop in regularly. Nice people too.

I have found so many great things here. Very expensive current books — hard cover and softcover for a dollar and less. Great china, kitchen gadgets, brand new black leather opera length gloves with the tags on (tag said $ 85.00, I paid $ 10.00). Everything is inexpensive! The people are nice, especially the cashier on Saturday afternoons who is hilarious. I love to go regularly — there always a super deal and interesting stuff.

Went here with my friend… big mistake. Long story short– we found the most darling little gold necklace which was listed for $ 7.50. The helper who was assisting us in the jewelry department decided to take it upon himself to double check the price since this old miser couldn’t believe the low price, so my friend was ordered to take it off. In doing so, the other helper, a woman who could only be described as stale and trite, shot her nose up in the air and told us we would have to wait as she was assisting another customer. In the 3 minutes it took this slothful maid to get her act together, she had «lost» the gold necklace, meanwhile my friend had already paid for it so it was hers.
They entertained us with a pathetic performance wereby they looked for the little gold necklace in question, only to conclude after a minute and a half that it was lost, never to be seen again. Way to go! RECAP– Order my friend to take it off, make a fuss about how it’s so nice so that everyone in the store hears, dump it on a counter and tell us to wait, and then feign pity when it was obviously stolen.
Bottom line– if you wish to be entertained by an ancient miser, a slothful maid, and a conniving thief, look no further, come to the op shop.
**update– My friend went back to the op shop the next day to see if they had found the necklace, and the owner (Ann) was so rude to her that my friend was in tears and had no idea how a person could be that rude for no reason. Ann also lied to us because she told us that we could have part of the necklace that wasn’t lost (two little pearls) but when we came back the next day she wouldn’t sell them to us. Ann is mean.

You need to visit frequently to find the gems, but they exist from time to time. Clothes and household mainly. Good place to shop if you are furnishing an apartment on a low budget-​kitchen and small appliances. Occasional better and antique items in a locked display in the rear of the store. Cash only.

This is a small thrift store in the basement of a church. While the hours aren’t convenient for me during the work week, their Saturday hours are perfect when I’m walking home from a tae kwon do workout and am out and about enjoying the weather.
I’ve been here twice, once because I wanted to check it out to check it out, and the second time to find a man’s shirt to use as a smock when I volunteered for a children’s event at an art gallery. Good finds are hit or miss. The shoe selection’s so-​so, finding a cute top is like finding a needle in a haystack, yet the book selection’s decent. The first time I was there I found a short-​sleeved, V-​neck, camel-​colored hoodie tunic sweater and a book called «Elegance.» The second time I was there I found a decent-​sized man’s shirt to use as a smock, which was pinstriped and had multicolored polka dots on the cuffs (how apropos to volunteer at an art gallery).
I agree with Abby’s review that the place needs a jolt of young energy zapped into it, but for what it’s worth it’s a decent little thrift shop.

Hmm, I debated writing a review because I’m usually secretive when it comes to good finds… especially when it comes to places that specialize in one-​of-​a-​kinds. Find a great restaurant– I’ll sing it to the high heavens. But a good thrift store– why should I risk letting someone else snag my $ 5 Chanel blazer*.
However, because the proceeds from this shop benefit some really awesome charities, I will say that I copped some unspeakably amazing deals. Like, pass down to my grandchildren, high-​quality, found on
under Premier Designers stuff.
But it’s possible that I bought everything worth buying so give them time to restock…
*this deal did not actually occur.

Okay… so this is in a basement of a chruch. I always see when I am walking down Wisconsin from Geriatric Giant. Today I decided to stop in to see if could get my halloween costume, or something. At first this place was depressing looking, it has an overall yellow tint to it. It was surprisingly filled with people, despite being 230 on a Wednesday. I would assume because of the area, this place probably gets quite good donations, but most of this stuff at first seemed like typical fair. Most of these things are a good 9 – 15 years out of date. The good stuff probably gets picked over. The ties are 3 dollars, skirts are 4, shoes are mostly 2, tops are 4, dresses are various prices, all the belts are a dollar
store. The old man was really nice, though, and wished me happy Halloween, and good luck with my costume.
They need to get some young life in the store, to re-​organize, get rid of the yellowing walls, and depressing lighting. But what do I know, according to their website they make 150k a year!
As I was leaving a saw a pair of Ugg Boots for 2 dollars, almost brand new.
The elder people there, are REALLY NICE!!! (minus the one who was mean to the first time). I actually, really like this place.