These volunteers deserve to be thanked for performing an unglamourous service, recycling & also acting as a friendly & useful thrift store with a wide variety of items. Furthermore, I've never heard of any scandals emanating from this non-profit. read more

I've always loved shopping at Grey Bears, which is why this experience was so upsetting. Today I was walking toward the outdoor rug section with a basket full of items when a staff member stopped me and told me I had to bring my items to the front before continuing. What felt uncomfortable is that there were several other customers walking around with items from the main store, yet I was the only one singled out. When I brought my items up to the register, a different employee initially rang them up, then paused after the same women from before whispered something to her. She then told me they were adding a few dollars to several items because they were "priced too low."!! I was in shock. These items were already on the sales floor at the marked prices, and I did not see this happen to any other customers. The entire interaction felt unfair and targeted, and I left feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but being singled out and then charged more than the posted prices shook my trust. I've always enjoyed this store, but this experience made me feel unwelcome, and unfortunately I'm not sure I'll be able to shop here again. read more

Good stuff. You don't always have what you're looking for but when they do, it's a great find

Wow, corporate mentality has finally hit Grey Bears. Went there today as I do weekly, found a few items I wanted and went to pay the prices as labeled on each item. Cashier then balked at the prices and said she couldn't sell them to me because she hadn't approved the prices, as the "guys" in the back, don't know how to.....even though Grey bears employees them to do so? WTF........... So if you find an item for a deal, they now have the unposted right to refuse the sale because someone thinks the price isn't reflective of it's true "give to us for free" value. Sad, but I have been slowly noticing this trend lately, just not as blatant as today. read more

1/2 off days. Second Saturday of every month. My mom and I looked for over 1 hour at all the items we did not know we needed. Staff was great we came in today.. I appreciate their food bag distribution that mom gets weekly. So to support them today was a blessing. Thanks. And Mahalo. read more

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This is the sweetest little secondhand store filled with wonderful people who will talk to you. Remember your name remember what you like such kindness such respect such a home welcoming. It is a great little thrift store to visit. Parking is always hard. Just because everyone loves that store so be patient but it's well worth even if you have to walk. read more

I almost don't want to share how good this place is because I don't want you all coming and taking all the good stuff, but this is THE thrift store to rule them all. 'Nuff said. read more

I had a good time today at Gray Bears. Not knowing what to expect, my first visit. It's split up into three or four separate buildings. Nice if your looking for something in one of those specific locations. Looked to me like they had plenty of kind people helping out around and answering our questions. All the sections were pretty neat and picked up except one...tools and hardware. We found the pieces right around where they should be. I noticed they didn't have but maybe couple of small racks of clothes, so there's that. Last words...go get yah some! read more

One of my favorite places to shop around, be inspired, and have fun. Thank you for not only being a fixture in my life, but also in the community by paying it forward. Great things are done for the environment by the people at this location. Reduce, reuse, recycle is a tenant which is brightly followed here. read more

Didn't get anything this trip but it looked like there were tons of amazing things! I was so surprised by their medical collection? Like what? But yeah, fans, spare parts, lighting, clothes, fine china, plants, books, food, furniture? There was a manga I always laugh at whenever I see, here amidst the cook books which got me cackling. Nothing I really wanted except a nice $6 hot glue gun but I decided I didn't need it. Definitely will pop by again! Came at 1pm on a Tuesday and it was fairly empty. Staff are friendly and busily organizing the place. read more

Amazing people doing amazing things. Considerate and respectful while providing food benefits for many. read more

There seems to always be a rude employees some are super nice but this lady with glasses short hair is super rude..I'm also told that the lady and employees who work there stash thing for themselves behind the counter..everything is donated the prices should reflect that...not everything is antique that needs to be priced at $30,lower the prices and you wouldn't have to have the same merchandise for months because no one wants to pay $14 for a crystals vase because you saw the price on eBay.. read more

Iv been donating to grey bears for years. They feed people. They are a wonderful resource for many things. Most people there volunteer their time. Don't throw your usable items Donate them to help grey bears help the community. read more

Everything is a great find plants the food bank and the great lunch thy service. The attendants and workers there are so friendly and d helpful. read more

Yikes, the prices are way too high! It feels like everything in there is priced above retail or even antique store prices. It's disorganized and ridiculous. Everything feels picked over--like the employees take home anything good before it ever hits the sales floor. I don't know... not worth wasting time read more

Good selection. Great concept. I hit this store every time I'm in Santa Cruz. You won't be disappointed

Always something new to get into and it seems like a good cause. We go a couple times a week and it's always a positive experience.

Treasures galore! Great furniture and medical equipment and needs. Many puzzles and games and things you didn't even think you needed... Outdoors, indoors, electronics and books as well as clothing and garden! Best place in town to check out. read more

So many fun knickknacks and glass and crystal bowls. My boyfriend and I love coming here to find tools, books, speaker wire, clothes, and so much more. They have amazing deals and everyday it's something different. read more

Pop in at 11am weekedays for free food giveaways. I asked the gentleman to grab these out of the freezer as I was looking for vegan stuff. I also got Hella heirloom tomatoes that would be nice in salsa. strawberries are in excess around this time of year so there's always giveaways read more

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The guy who works in e-waste is super rude and yelled at me. Overall this place is super picky about what they take and I honestly make better use of my time just going to goodwill rather than wasting my time here. read more

Great place. The pricing is better than other thrift shops. The volunteers really care about what they are doing. I read the comments from other reviews and wondering if they went to another place because this place is packed with stuff and really fair pricing. Bag of clothes for 13 dollars. Every day something is half off. I got a like new couch for 50 dollars and some other random stuff. I'm new to this store and love it. I will be telling my friends and family. read more

We were in the area and decided to go thrifting. This place is huge. There's a lot of parking and they had clean bathrooms. It's so big it's divided into sections by portables. There's a lot of old things here but very well organized. This place was very busy with people shopping and donations. We found a few a big jar with a cork the was a place to add a great gift. I found some shorts and a pair of express pants. The woman's items were $1.50 you literally can not beat this anywhere. They had a portable with electronics my son was able to find a dvd and two games. My favorite was the portable with the boos. It was like a tiny little book store. Everything was extremely organized and price was extremely reasonable. They had this deal of filling up a bag for $10. We will definitely be returning. read more

Grey Bears - Bookstore - Thrift Stores Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I 1st started going to Gray bears 9 years ago.. They had a fire and it took a while for them to rebuild. Are you looking for treasures?? This is a good place to go for collectibles. It is a scavenger hunt. Need inexpensive clothes - - - - go to the back where where they have Super deals. This is a great place to take your recyclables. That is how I used it yesterday. Besides E-waste, clothing, they have bins for paper, different color glasses, etc--so much better than WW recycling bins!!! The profit goes back to feeding elders in the community. One con is that it is so popular that parking can be a problem. read more

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Update Jun 2024. Jennifer Merchant was hired as director Summer 2022. By Oct 2023, she'd doubled the membership fees - her first year of taking the role. SO not only are the shelf prices more, the membership price is doubled in one year. Yikes. Grey Bears owns 3.6 acres of prime real estate, (and they just bought the Trowbridge 1 acre with Palace Art), collect substantial rents, Grey Bears trades on donated labor, food and goods. They have millions in assets & millions coming in ea year. And they doubled the membership fees. What are the goals here, Ms. Merchant? read more

Son and I were looking for a "yard sale" type place and found this through an internet search. This place is worth the trip, a lot of items for sale in various "themed" buildings. Lots of good deals to be found if you search, but a lot of items priced pretty high also (especially collectibles). I picked up some cheap Craftsman sockets and wrenches. Son was a little disappointed on the price of clothes. All people working there were very nice and it purchases go toward a good cause. read more

A big hats off to the Org and volunteers. The holiday meal was delish. But, the volunteers and BOD members who put everything together, directed traffic and handed out meals where just amazing. And it was rather chilly so standing outside was impressive. Thank you again. read more

Dang, why do I ever go to this place on Monday when I know that Tuesdays and Thursdays everything is 50% off?? Well I was there on Monday anyway and I still got some amazing stuff. I am absolutely totally and completely in love with the rusted funky antique typewriter I got for $15! I also found some great clothes, including a brand new with tags habitat jacket for only $15. I know I know Tuesday it would've been 7.50, but why take a chance and this is such a good organization. They help seniors, and they feed seniors, and they do a lot of recycling in the house wears department I fell in love with a lamp, I think I'll go back on Thursday and see if it's still there after I found the typewriter I just was beside myself and couldn't look any farther. It's about the coolest thing I've ever seen. I don't know what I'm gonna do with it, except maybe just stare at it fondly. I saw a lot of great furniture there and some really stellar art. I don't need any of those things, but they were sure tempting. Go to this to this place any day, but best to go on Tuesdays and Thursdays! read more

A pretty nice thrift store ! Found what I needed quickly. They have a 50% off sale every 2nd Saturday ! Good stuff. Reasonable prices on most stuff. Fairly good quality items. They also have a return policy for store credit if your item doesn't work or has a problem. Great ! A great resource for the Santa Cruz area. When I need something, I always check Gray Bears first ! read more

I LOVE Grey Bears! Crazy selection and crazier parking !! Kind patrons who are excited and passionate about their mission and the 11'oclock heirloom tomatoes! Wide range of products including clothes to puzzles to scuba gear. Great for a little walk around and finding gems for your home!! I always come when I'm in town :) read more

This place brings back memories and is very sentimental, as my grandmother used to volunteer there. Every time I'm in town I have to stop in and check things out. You'll never know what you're going to find, there are always treasures to hunt for. Make sure to take your time and carefully walk through, there are so many things to discover. Also, there is a book shop and an electronic shop behind the main building so make sure to check them out too. read more

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Great prices especially on the 1/2 price deals each day of the week. Every time I need medical supplies or equipment I look at grey bears first because they usually have what I need. read more

Eh, meh, neh... I had read about this place before visiting because I thought it's such a great concept to consign recycled items esp e-waste, and that this place has several areas with computers/electronics, books and media, and kitchenware, so surely there's something for everyone right? Wrong. The prices here are like high end consignment places, but we're at a recycling center, for crying out loud. Books and DVDs were kind of reasonably priced, and even better if you can stuff enough of what you want into the paper bag on Friday $10 a bag day. But the household and kitchenware places were really expensive, prices exceeding that of Walmart, what the??? We left empty handed, but we did see that this place does good community services projects such as meals/food bags for seniors and other such outreach programs. Hopefully, they will have better items at better prices in the future for the local crowd who are looking for deals and steals, but we don't plan to be back. read more

Almost impossible to go in here without finding something. I literally have to set a limit for how much cash I'll bring so I don't come home with more then what I wanted to go for. It's a gem. Love it read more

This is by far my favorite thrift stop as I have been coming here for years even before I moved in the area .They always have treasures of every kind here for whatever you are searching for ! The most awesome Thing is the outside bathroom if you gotta go , you know there's a bAthoom that is fairly clean read more

The people that work at Grey Bears are so friendly, you get good feeling just being there. The quality of there products are good and especially their prices! read more

I love grey bears and will continue to go there, but I do have to say I had one of the worst experiences I've ever had at Gray Bears recently with the women that work in the clothing shop. Not only were they extremely disrespectful and rude, but they were very condescending and weren't very kind to me since I didn't have a lot of money as a college student they assumed I did have a lot of money and we're saying I should be able to afford what I was buying, but I had to put a few things away anyways. It made me uncomfortable and just not want to go back to the clothing shop. read more

This is a good thrift shop, particularly for computer and home audio supplies. But the truly great thing about this place is their commitment to recycling: they accept waste and have programs for food waste and almost everything else. If you are committed to reducing your carbon and waste footprints, bring your donations and recyclables here. The staff is all on-board with the mission. Highly recommended! read more

Great thrift store, also provides great service to seniors in the area with low-cost food bags.

This organization is for a very good cause and offers many handy conveniences. I have run into a few grumpy/short tempered/impatient employees there, mostly at the donation drop-off . While I think they are volunteering, they still could've been nicer. Just try to make sure you are following their protocols as best you can, or you might get snapped at lol. I still highly recommend this place, some great deals there and it helps seniors! read more