Thrift Store Review: Arc Thrift Store on Austin Bluffs

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!