Had this company lined up to come empty my house. They told me to bag and box everything, which I did when guys got here on scheduled day they took NOTHING told me it was to much and they didn't have room. Very poor customer service wouldn't recommend to anyone for anything. Driver told me they were doing me a favor coming out. read more

The Green Element Resale is a great local business that offers something for everyone. Their stock of unique items constantly changes, so stop in weekly and you will be sure to find everything and anything. The staff are all knowledgeable and friendly and always willing to help you find that special gift or item. I have heard they have a back room (upstairs) where they sell dogs and cats, but you need to ask the staff for access. Green Element Resale is what makes Edgewater a special place. Recently I purchased a mattress, box spring, dishes and steak knives for use at my condo. Most of my furniture is from Green Element, including my armoire. read more

An absolutely awful experience happened today that I feel most should take into account before shopping at this store. While shopping this afternoon at Green Element, I witnessed the manager yelling at a customer. The customer had been negotiating with him about a price for a lamp, and was asking if he could also lower the price for another piece of merchandise. He proceeded to shout at her in front of other customers, yelling about how "What she was doing wasn't funny," and that "any item under $25 was non-negotiable." There are multiple issues with his statements. Very few of the items in the store are actually marked with a price, which makes it difficult to know how much anything actually costs at the store. Along with this, I have never seen a sign saying that any item under $25 is non-negotiable. If there is a sign saying this, he's assuming that it's in a place easy to find (it isn't- nothing in the store is) and that everyone reading it speaks/reads English, which is an unfair assumption. While I don't know this woman's story or much about her, I know that the way she was treated was absolutely unacceptable. It seemed to me that this woman was in a place financially where it was necessary to negotiate her items to a price that was as low as possible, and while it may be store policy to have any price under $25 final, the way he treated her was completely unfair, insincere, and hurtful. This incident isn't only harmful to the woman he was shouting at, it was making every other customer in the store visibly uncomfortable because of his actions. I feel extremely claustrophobic in this store (something I'll get to later), and his shouting only worked to make me feel more anxious and unsettled in this store. I know I've said it before, but it's really important to emphasize that absolutely nothing that he did was anywhere NEAR appropriate behavior for a manager. This isn't the only issue I've had with him. I've come to purchase items at the store three times, and each time I've had an unpleasant encounter. The store has developed photos for sale, three for a dollar, and I would come to purchase these for a semester-long project I was working on. Each time I'd do this, he'd be aggressive and ask me why I was buying them, and said that "he doesn't understand why people keep buying them," and "doesn't know why I'm getting these if I don't know anyone in the photos." If you don't want people to buy these photos, don't put them up for sale. While this isn't my primary concern about the business, it's led to upsetting and anxiety-filled shopping experiences. The store itself is not kept neatly. It's hard to find a lot of things, and while the aisles itself are fairly clear, the items on the shelves seem to look like they're organized at random. Like I said earlier, if there was any sign stating their $25 rule, it wasn't clear to see, because the moment you enter the store the shelves are stacked so thickly that it's difficult to know where to look. The store is extremely overwhelming, and seems to be somewhat unmanageable for the staff they have. Obviously, I know this place is a non-profit. I know that this can make it difficult to manage a business. Had the employees and owner been more approachable, willing to help, and seemed to actually enjoy their jobs, I would be able to look past the issue of the store's upkeep. Normally, I try to avoid the store and go other places that I feel that myself and other customers are more welcomed, but today it was my last resort. After the experience today, I don't know the likelihood of coming back, and I'd recommend others rethink before shopping here, too. read more

Great place to not only donate your functional used items, but a great place to find items you might need for your house. They are great about picking up your items! read more

Greedy element resale. The price is not marked most of items. You need to ask Bill who is the owner. He looked at you and tell you the price. Mostly over priced. Sometimes he tells you unbelievably high price. You can buy new for less. read more

Love strolling through this place on a day off or on the weekend. I really enjoy browsing and the staff is always extremely friendly. I remember when they first opened this place and now it has really turned into something else. So excited for the man who started this! What a great job that he did. This is a fun place and a great addition to Edgewater! read more

This review is for this store's furniture donation service. I have never written a yelp review before, but the people running this show are so unprofessional and unreliable that they have given me the right motivation. I had to move out of Chicago to start a new job on short notice. I had a couple of pieces of furniture I couldn't take with me, and I wanted to donate them, but this wasn't easy to set up on a week's notice in June. I was very happy when Green Element was able to schedule a pick-up in time. I sent Brian photos of the items (a dresser, two bookcases, a side table, and an area rug). He asked exactly zero questions about them. I arranged for a neighbor to also donate two bookcases to them on the same day, to make it worth their time to drive to Hyde Park. Brian changed the pick-up time from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the day of. I had to drive to upstate New York that day, so on Brian's suggestion I left the keys with my neighbor so that he could let Brian into the otherwise empty apartment. Brian's team showed up and loaded everything except the bookcases into their truck. After this, he called me to say that he didn't like the bookcases enough and that he would only take them if I paid him money. (At this point I was on the I-90 close to Michigan.) He didn't let me get a word in edgewise. He said, "Either you pay me or you pay your landlord." Of course I would rather pay a fee to my landlord, who has reliably helped me take care of my apartment over the past five years, than to some unstable guy who thinks he's got me in a tight spot and who has already taken half of my furniture under false pretenses. Brian then sent me a long tirade of text messages. They sounded more or less like the replies he has written to reviewers here on yelp. The only thing he apologized for was not being 'more patient in explaining everything.' (I do love it when people explain things to me.) I told him that my understanding of a furniture donation is that both parties make a commitment: Brian made a commitment to pick up the furniture at the time and place he promised, and I made a commitment to give all of it to him when he showed up. Brian can't fulfill half of his side of the bargain and then, when I can't back out anymore, ask me for money to do the other half. He told me no charity would have accepted my bookcases because they wouldn't want to carry them down the stairs. My apartment was on the second floor of a walk-up. I have carried the bookcases myself with one other person and I am 5'3" and 110 lbs. If these are too heavy, Brian shouldn't make a job out of moving furniture. Then he went on at length about online dating, and about how people sometimes look better in a photograph than in real life. The only thing I got from this is that OkCupid isn't really working out for him. He repeatedly told me that we should stop arguing, even though I was barely replying and he was sending me text after text. So, don't try to donate furniture to these people unless you want to deal with some lunatics. read more

The green element picked up my donations with absolutely no problems on time efficient and the nicest guys who care about the community. Would recommend and use for all future donations. read more

So much to go through here but it's a great experience and really cool to go through everything here! It's nice to go to a thrift store where things get priced at the counter--it feels authentic and more like an adventure. :-) And the shopkeepers are very friendly. read more

In the past I would have given 4-5 stars. Shopped there often and donate regularly. But I have been there twice in the last couple of weeks and the sales folks as well as the young people working there either do not wear masks or wear them on their chin. The aisles are narrow and you cannot socially distance with the owner and help. I understand that the store is very hot but they need to do a better job of protecting themselves and their customers. Will not be going back anytime soon. read more

Although I like to shop at Green Element, I prefer donating to them. Their mission is to keep items out of the landfill. I like this idea. If they can make some money out of my good items, then I am happy to contribute to the cause. read more

I would give ten stars if I could! Clean, well organized, really neat stuff...BUT the best part is the people. I really can't say enough about their kindness, helpfulness and all-around GOODNESS. With as much stock as they carry, I know they are very busy behind the scenes. However, they made me feel as if I were the only one in the room. Attention to detail is impeccable. I truly do not have enough superlatives to describe my experience. I am not a city person. I drove in from the suburbs. The city intimidates me. In my experience, city people are typically standoffish and rude. Not at Green Element! I felt as if I stepped into an old country store. The personalities of the owner and employees shone like diamonds. You could feel the mutual respect each had for the other and the strong work ethic that filtered from the top down. They greeted customers by name. By name! I seriously felt as if I walked into a Hallmark Christmas movie! Thank you from the bottom of my heart; not only as a customer but as a human being! You are doing it right. read more

Despite my stopping in regularly for the past 2+ years, I won't be coming back and am going to stop recommending this place to others. My last two encounters with the owner, Brian, were so rude that I give up. I value recycling and saving money over customer service, but from now on I'm skipping this place. Some incidents: - Over the summer, an older man with one leg came in in a wheelchair to look for a pair of pants. Based on the greyness in one of his eyes, it was clear that his vision was limited as well. None of the staff offered to help him, so I did. When he found a pair, but he wasn't sure if it would fit, he asked the older gentleman behind the counter if he could return them if they didn't fit. The guy, Bill, said "no." Now, I get if this is just store policy, but this seemed overboard for a $3 pair of pants when the guy clearly had no way of trying them on in the store and it's an independently-owned store, not a chain. What bothers me most though is that none of the staff offered to help him. - From overhearing conversations, they charge to pick up furniture that they're getting for free, and then sell it in the store. I have no idea if this is common practice with other thrift stores or not. If it is, I highly recommend just giving furniture away on Craigslist or Freecyle, because you won't have to pay for movers. - I get quoted different prices for the same item depending on which employee I ask. - Recently, the owner randomly decided that haggling was no longer allowed, even though prices aren't marked on the vast majority of items. - There seems to be a small all-male core staff. Sometimes, there's randomly other people checking bags and stocking shelves, but they're not there for long. I don't know if it's high turnover or if they're "volunteers" or what. Rather than get yet another angry response from the owner, I haven't bothered asking. To be fair, Bill, the older gentleman behind the counter, is respectful towards me and is generally nice to other customers as well. Matt, a younger guy, has always been friendly and helpful to me and other customers. The younger guys who move in furniture and check your bags are polite. My decision to give up on this store is because of the owner. read more

Overall, this is an excellent place to obtain a wide variety of merchandise very - emphasize very - inexpensively. Some of the reviews of Green Element offer complaints about what the authors characterize as its disorganization and a failure to attach price tags to most items. As to the first complaint, I don't think its entirely reasonable to expect a store of this size, with donations streaming in and out at all hours, to be anything like "organized" in the way you'd find at a for-profit business. Best to enter with a sense of adventure and a certain tolerance for the unknown and unexpected; if you seek neat and symmetrical "end caps" and the like, there's thousands of other stores in Chicago that will provide this for you, at a cost. Regarding the lack of pricing on items - I dunno. I've shopped there a few times this year, and sometimes not knowing a price prior to getting to the cashier is annoying. However, I think that my prior points apply here as well: the prices are uniformly rock-bottom bargains; pristine organization (including predictability of prices) is something you should seek for in for-profit-merchant-land, and expect to pay for; and enter here with a sense of adventure and a spirit ready to embrace to the relatively unknown contents of this weird and mostly wonderful spot. read more

One of the absolute best thrift stores around. I usually pop in weekly and never walk away unhappy. It is overflowing with goodies.

I love coming to Green Element. I find everything from treasures to basic household items. Recently when I came in (I hadn't been in a few months), I noticed artwork on one of their outdoor walls! Such a beautiful and colorful mural!! I love all the life they bring into Edgewater! read more

See all

I moved to Chicago about a year ago, and I wondered into this store and I have been back a least once a week ever since. I love this store!!!! Its very random but any weird thing I think I need I can usually find there .Tool cords ,office stuff ,decor,art and crafts books magazines. You have to look but its worth it . The people who work there are helpful kind and funny. My move to Chicago hasn't been easy. This store is a strange and unexpected brite spot. Support them its good for you and the environment!!!!! LOVE read more

I desperately want to love this place because it's close to my house and is the perfect balance between antique and thrift. The place is a treasure trove of vintage oddities, neat furniture, and the absolute random, and if you have the time and determination, you can find some pretty sweet stuff. I don't agree that the place is over-priced, except for a lot of the furniture, which could definitely be more reasonable. In any case, I like the concept of this place. It's unique and fun. My complaints are few but significant enough. First off, most things don't have prices, so every time you want to consider buying anything you have to bother someone who has to go bother the owner to ask the price. And the owner is the least-friendly person in the place. He is not even remotely interested in being polite when you buy something big there, which I have. That said, I don't think he means to be a crank. He has a cool mission, and he's clearly a decent guy. It's just that I am too afraid of him to shop there. read more

After passing by this store for months, I decided to stop in. I found a book I was looking for. However, when I got up to the counter and produced my card, I was told I had to spend at least ten dollars in order for them to accept it. I saw no sign anywhere stating that rule. Despite the fact that I did find some more good items to purchase, I ended up spending more that I originally intended to spend. Most items in the store don't have the price on them, which is off-putting, especially to those us on on a budget. The guys behind the counter seemed to just make up prices on the spot. It's too bad. . . I probably just going to keep passing by the store from now on. read more

Not the greatest customer service. The guys that are...I guess stocking, are very nice and always ask if I need help but the two older people behind the counter (the owners maybe?) are not very nice. I always say hello and thank you and get nothing in return. Despite all of this, they have a FANTASTIC selection of used books, furniture and glassware. Hence the 4 stars. Just don't expect much help when you get there. read more

Great place to buy books, they are cheap and have a very big selection. Clothes, not so much.

I looove this place they have the cutest little kninck knacks for the best prices!

I almost don't want to share this place with anyone. But I love supporting a great business! They have great vintage furniture for good/fair prices. Sometimes they need some fixing but they know that and price accordingly. I only seen a few expensive prices pieces or furniture and they are totally worth it because they are pieces of art. They currently have an Asian curio cabinet that is beautiful and worth the price listed for. They also have this cute vintage crib that I would snatch up in a heartbeat if I had a child lol. So hard to pass up that adorable piece since you never see furniture like that anymore. It's close to other antique shops, but this is defiantly the best-prices spot in the area. read more

This is an amazing place to shop, friendly staff, very affordable stuff, they only take in good quality items and resell them at a better price. They have always worked with me if I thought the price was a little higher than should be and have always walked out the door with the item I wanted. I would recommend this place to anyone who like a great deal. Take your time coming here as they have ALOT of stuff to look thru. I always find myself walking down the isles a couple of times taking it all in. i will def be back for more. read more

When I moved to Chicago, one of the first things I did was go searching for a good thrift store I could frequent as I do back home. After visiting many off different stops on the Red Line and around the neighborhood, I decided to go into Green Element. At first it was overwhelming stepping into the store, but once I got the general layout I went to town. I personally love looking for clothes and small knick knacks, and let me tell you, Green Element is full of them- for great prices too! Being a workout junkie, I'm always looking for low price Nike gear and t-shirts to work out in. I scored dri fit jackets and capris for very cheap. The people that run the store were even nice enough to give me a student discount when they saw that I went to Loyola. It's also a great place to find good quality coats. Got what looked like a brand new designer pea coat for 5 dollars. Add that to my t-shirts and dri fits- came out to be 13 dollars-- can't complain. They also have a selection of home furnishings like sofas, tables, cabinets, electronics, etc. I will be coming back once I get settled into my new apartment as I do really like what they have and hope to see more. On top of home goods, they've got a huge selection of books- text books, leisure novels, cook books, you name it. Over time I have seen a difference in the amount of organization in the store for the better. They seem to have tidied up quite a bit considering the large amount of items they have. I definitely recommend this place whether you're just browsing for clothes or knick knacks, looking for cheap but high quality home goods, or even for a Halloween costume or special event. Clean store, good selection, polite and helpful workers- 5 stars. read more

Found out about GER by googling for used furniture/ small appliances while helping my sister get situated in her new place. This shop is quite homey and comforting..it's a nice change of pace from the constant city hustle. The diversity in this shop is impressive. We found several interesting items including a recliner, coffee table and some wall art. We could have spent hours roaming around. My sister plans on returning frequently. Apparently the longer an item has been in the shop, the more they are willing to negotiate! Great shop! read more

And the owner's response to my review only reinforces everything I said initially. I don't have a big yelp presence because I spend way more time on my life outside the internet. Did you miss all the nice things I did say? The fact that I do know what your mission is? That I understand the differences between your store and others? Or did you just focus on the part where I thought you were really rude to folks in your responses to yelp reviews? read more

This review is about their pick up service, which was great! They were recommended by Brown Elephant, as people who might take a media cabinet. (Most thrift stores are not taking them anymore, or the big fat TVs that went in them.) I sent Brian the photos of the cabinet, and told him it had to go down three flights of stairs! The next day, the guys came and got it. They also moved a piece of my furniture in its place, as a favor to me! Don't forget to tip them. Someone will get a nice cabinet, suitable for storage, and I saved money on movers. read more

It's a good place for some expensive furniture, i bought this lamp and a fake plant. The lady there is super nice. very polite. but the boy and a man is too straight forward. he made me pay tax to buy this without even providing me a receipt. which isn't fair. They're a nonprofit organization she said but why are things so expensive there? read more

My husband and I totally LOVE this place! It has everything you could possibly imagine. The people are so friendly and helpful. We go back every weekend. They have toddler clothes and if you dig around you can find some really nice pieces. Great assortment of books and movies too. Check this place out, you won't regret it! read more

Everything is so musky and great. The owner was a lil crazy loud on the phone with a bad customer. I'm picking up some books for the train and postcards for my collection:) huge inventory of furniture in the back. A little strange that you have to ask for most prices.. read more

Very cool thrift store/junk shop! Just the right kind of musty dusty cheap second hand treasure chest. So much stuff! GREAT for practical stuff: housewares, fabrics, books galore, board games, bric a brac... Clothing selection was not very good, tho. I saw one or two interesting things but wasn't able to really dig deep in the few yet packed racks. They have a LOT of furniture, some is very nice and a steal! Prices are reasonable, but you have to ask, and the man with the glasses behind the counter was very friendly! Go when you've got time. Expect to rummage and dig. You'll find awesome stuff among the junk and miscellaneous. I'll be back! read more

Tried this place for the second time, about a month ago. The young mansold me a pinata for $1. When I told him it was for a Cinco de Mayo party at a shelter I volunteered at, he explained how I could also make my own (I needed more). He also asked me to let him know other items we need and stated he would try to help. The prices on the jewelry were better than last time I was there. Thanks for a pleasant experience mainly due to that employee. read more

I LOVE GREEN ELEMENT. I can't say it enough times. I mostly shop here for their amazing books and furniture/area rug deals. They have great vintage clothing if that's what you're after, but their vintage furniture rivals the Broadway Antique Mart sometimes! They offer delivery and if something isn't marked, they let you make an offer. I got a high-pile thick like-new area rug that was originally at least $100 at Target for $15. Plus their sidewalk deals! If it's on the sidewalk they want it gone, so you can get some great furniture for cheap! Seriously, go here. read more

I have known the owner for years...since long before he opened the shop. He's one of the most decent, civic minded people I've had the good fortune of encountering. I hope this helps put to rest any questions about who he is as a person. I give his shop five stars because you can be sure he is actually using the proceeds as he claims. This guy is no charlatan, lives modestly, and really does put his money where his mouth is. read more

I love this place! I love all those beautifully put-together, very choosy second-hand stores, too, but I don't want to pay that much money because second-hand is in now. I get it, but I really love a true thrift store. That's what Green Element is. I've so far only been on the lookout for household goods, but I'll be back to peruse the other aisles later. I got a great table (1950s with the chrome sides and legs), great condition, an extra leaf, only one chair, but all were in great condition---$75. I picked it up the next day, and the guy helped me tie it onto my car with care. The staff is volunteer and they are all super nice. To everyone. I've been there a handful of times now and each time reaffirms my appreciation for this true thrift store. read more

I could have spent hours looking at all the stuff they have! I went looking for a last minute Halloween costume & also picked up a really nice skirt, and since I don't wear skirts very often I'm glad it was only $4.40! Staff was also courteous & friendly. read more

This is by far my favorite resale shop in Edgewater and Andersonville. I donate to them regularly and buy from them all the time. When I was planning my wedding, I was in here every week searching for items. They have been nothing but helpful and resourceful. They always helped me load things in and out. The pick up service on furniture is wonderful and they only take items they can resell. Meaning they don't just pick up everything, which I appreciate. Some of my furniture items they didn't think they could resell but they were super nice about it. I gave them a cash donation to set it out in the alley for me to which they obliged. I always enjoy the large selection of books. My only complaint is in the summer when there is no air conditioning. It can get stuffy in the building. Hope they can afford to cool the place soon. read more

I was very impressed with GER. I spent one day going all over the Northside comparing different prices, quality, and availability. this place beat every other place by a mile. there was an older gentleman who was exceptionally helpful. quite a few young guys helped me move furniture to see it better. I went in looking to buy a kitchen table and walked out with a table, four chairs, and a buffet. I was under budget for read more

I stumbled across the cutest Lorde & Taylor wool coat here! Whenever I'm out this way I stop by and find something nice to give me my consignment shopping fix. Great store! read more