This is the second of a series of reviews I’m unofficially calling “The Quest to Visit and Review Every Thrift and Consignment Store in Colorado Springs”. These reviews are unsolicited and non-compensated. Read all the thrift store reviews here.
I stopped into the Arc Thrift Store on Austin Bluffs Parkway a few weeks ago, and the place was hoppin’! It was Senior Discount Tuesday, but there were more than just seniors shopping! I got permission to take pictures and wrote down some notes so I could share my finds with you all.
I think the thing I liked best about this store was the way they had things like hats and gloves organized. Those are items that I’d love to buy secondhand, but honestly can’t even recall if or where other thrift stores I’ve been in keep these types of items. ARC had them neatly displayed, and all the sets were fastened together.
Here’s the prices I noted: I did my best to find the highest and lowest so as to give the most accurate range, but don’t quote me or anything. Their kids’ clothes (and by kids I mean baby-toddler) were anywhere from about $1.49-5.79. Kids coats and jackets went up to about $24.99.
Ladies’ jeans were $5.99 to $9.99, most of the ones I saw were $6.99. They seem to price pretty heavily based on brand, so you’ll see those $9.99 price tags on brands like Gap (I think, I forgot to write down what brands were priced at $9.99). Ladies’ shirts, including sweaters, were $3.99-9.99, and shoes seemed to be in the rang of $4.99-14.99.
I felt like their prices were high, but with the abundance of 50% off days, that problem could easily be worked around. However, those 50% off days exclude the current week’s tags, so you won’t be able to get the newest items at 50% off.
They seemed to have a ton of winter coats, more so than other thrift stores I’ve visited recently. Some of those would totally have been a bargain at 50% off! If you need a coat, I’d go here first.
There were two nice mirrors here… Seems like I don’t often see mirrors in thrift stores!
They did have a pretty good sized furniture section. I couldn’t find a price on this chest of drawers, but there was a matching nightstand that was around $30, I think? Maybe a little high, they were kind of beat up but isn’t it pretty?
They had a decent sized housewares section, as well as a book area. I felt like the housewares were a little disorganized, but hey, I’m not sure anyone could keep that many items organized all day long!
Carrie’s Take
What was good:
- Lots of selection; there is tons of stuff at this store.
- Well-organized, things that were sets (like gloves) were fastened together and hung neatly.
- Generous with their 50% specials.
And not as good:
- Prices were high – I would have a hard time buying things here unless it was 50% off.
- Related to above: items seemed to be priced according to brand; high-quality name-brand items were as much as 2x as much as “lesser” brands.
Austin Bluffs Arc Thrift Store Information
You can donate to Arc – they’ll even come pick it up! Here’s more info on donations.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM
Phone: 719.522.1203
Address: 4402 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs
Website: ARCThrift.com
Parking: Parking Lot
Credit Cards: Yes
Here are the promotions they run – all specials exclude green and “current” tags
Military Monday – 50% off with military ID
Senior Tuesday: 50% off for ages 55+
50% off Saturday: 50% off for everyone
Other Holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Day after Thanksgiving
And occasionally there are even online coupons! Check here to see if there’s one valid currently.
What’s Your Take?
Have you been the Arc Thrift Store on Austin Bluffs? What did you think? Feel free to share in the comments! I’ll be reviewing the other Arc stores soon, so stay tuned!
$1.25 for Lucerne (half gallon) at Safeway, Fri-Sun Only
Wow, this is quite high! I just bought a *new* toddler coat at Target for $17. A puffer warm coat. Any coupons or sales and that would have brought it better than some brands that this store had in “name brand”. I don’t think that even as a 50% that it could match a decent sale at a regular store. Granted, it’s not GAP, but still.
I visit this ARC weekly. Once in a while, I will find a really nice deal. Most of the time, I leave their store having bought nothing, though. Their clothes are too high. I’ve seen Old Navy jeans marked $9.99. It’s difficult for me to pay that price when I just paid the same price for NEW jeans at the Old Navy store last week. I like their shoe and toy selection best. I wouldn’t buy furniture there unless it was 50% off. The staff is never willing to come down in price on a damaged item. They try to say that the item was marked with the flaw considered. Hard to believe that a stained coat would be the same price as a non-stained coat, though. Also, if you make a return there they will not give you your money back. You get stuck with a store credit. That’s a really unfriendly policy, IMO.
I shop at the ARC quite often and that one in particular for books. They have a great selection of religious/inspirational/devotions books whenever I go. I usually only buy 50% off items but it’s worth the search on each aisle. I love to shop and this is the best way to do it at a great price!
I USED to love shopping at the ARC. I don’t know about the one on the south side, but this one has raised it’s prices OVER 300% in the two years we’ve been on the north side. I used to go in and EVERYTHING was priced based on item (ie all shirts same price, all books, etc.) I’m extreemely disappointed in their infant clothes. They do have the best selection but when their asking almost new prices….forget it! I used to go in and pick up shirts for 99cents!
This is by far by favorite thrift store in town. I can usually find very nice things. But my favorite thing about this store is how organized they are! If you need a 18 month girl’s sweater you walk right in and look in that size. In comparison, you go to the Goodwill on Powers and spend an hour looking through all the children’s racks which are not sorted by size. This ARC is the best!
I’ve been shopping at that ARC for many years, mainly for the selection and 50% off sale prices (their regular prices are a little high). My husband is usually outfitted in Columbia, Tommy, Gap, A&F, etc. for a fraction of the retail price (I’m sure people think he’s got much more expensive taste than he really does!) I like being able to buy quality brands for pennies on the dollar!
I’m with Laurie. We are “regulars” at this ARC. It’s true they’ve raised their prices in the last few years, but if you go on Saturday for the 50% off sales, you can get incredible bargains. Be willing to search. Yes, women’s jeans can be $9.99, but they still vary in price. I was just in ARC yesterday looking for jeans and found Levis ranging from 3.99 to 9.99. I stay calm and patient and keep looking. I found the perfect pair (very modern, low rise boot cut–not jeans from 1985) for 4.99 and they were half off so they wound up being 2.50. My best finds have been Vans shoes for my 11 year old for 2.99. Perfect condition. A Patagonia fleeece for my daughter for 1.99–also in perfect condition. And snowpants for all my kids for less than 3.00 each. Not bad. I have found that if I frequent the store on sale days, I can usually find what I need for my kids (boots, jackets, fleeces, shoes, pajamas, board games, puzzles, etc.) for very little money. It is a VERY organized store, and you can find what you need pretty easily. Unlike Goodwill… for some reason I feel lost in Goodwill. Maybe it’s just me.
I shop at this ARC thrift store and although the prices are generally higher than Goodwill – I think that the way they have the store organized really can make it worth your while. Their clothes are all sorted by size and are easy to find… which I think makes it worth shopping there considering if you went to Goodwill to shop for clothes for your kids, your husband and yourself it would probably take you over 3 hours to go thru all the racks. Also if you are looking for something in particular it is easier to find what you are looking for at this store. The ARC thrift store on South Academy is not as good because they do not organize their clothes (at least not the kids).
I went to the ARC last Friday for the first time in months and got sticker shock! I had just come from the mall and saw new coats for $59.99 then used coats at the ARC for the same price so I just walked out.
I’ve had a hard time with the ARC too & the amount they ask for clothing. I rarely buy clothing for my hubby & myself (our clothes are really old & need to fall off before I buy more!), I have found that I can buy new clothes on clearance for less than ARC prices. For example, I bought my hubby a pair of jeans on clearance for $2.50 at Kohls, happened to have a 30% off coupon, so got a pair of Lee jeans for $1.75.
It is sad really as I know that ARC is a charity and therefore needs people shopping in their stores, however, I won’t be back until their prices come down.
I do go to this ARC regularly, but I do think they have some of the highest prices in town. But, if you hit something at 50% off and it is something you are needing, it usually brings it down to a reasonable price. They usually have a good selection of little boys jeans and overalls. If I am looking specifically for those I will usually hit here.
I hadn’t been to this ARC much before, but went in looking for a few things. I loved the Calvin Klein jeans I got my husband, they actually fit, and they were only $3 with the 50% off tag! I was impressed by the collection of neckties-but won’t pay the $6 they were asking. I will go back on Monday and use the military discount for a few more; I’m hoping some of the fun character ties will still be there! And I found a complete set of Tupperware canisters-4 with lids in icky green–at $5 I felt like I was stealing it! I’ll be heading back for sure–but probably just on Mondays!
I used to shop quite often at the Austin Bluffs Arc but I won’t anymore for one reason. I can’t stand the way they treat their customers! I asked a question trying to get clarification on what color was on sale and this worker very condescendingly told me that “some people can afford to pay the REGULAR price.” Ugh. However, I do highly recommend the new(ish) Salvation Army on Tutt behind the Supertarget on Powers. Super (usually) friendly staff and an awesome cause. And they almost always have 50 percent off on Saturdays, a decent selection, and reasonable prices. And this year they had THE most adorable Santa!!! He was so sweet, at least 85 and skinny as a rail but what a precious man!! First time in 25 years I wanted to sit on Santa’s lap (well, perhaps beside him on the couch!). :)
My daughter and I went to ARC last week because she needed an ugly Christmas sweater for a contest. We found one alright, but it was $6.99 – the same price as some really nice sweaters! We went ahead and bought it since we couldn’t wait until the 50% off day, but I felt $6.99 was way too much for this sweater.
They have a good variety of items but they are WAY WAY too expensive and even on their 50% off day, it’s too crowded to go through everything. They do have a military and senior discount day, but I’m not either of those.
I have seen items at their store that I just saw at the Dollar Store a few doors down from them, they have the same item, used and at a higher price then the dollar store. I do not shop there any more because of their high prices. I will give my money to places that cater to those who are low income like me.