A great all volunteer operation for the community. The best way to get involved with your community.

Honestly a good, classic little thrift shop. Prices for regular clothes* are very reasonable, selection is okay (it's not a big place), things are organized, and there's usually volunteers around to help you look if you're in search of something specific. Believe me when I say it's very small and not suitable for strollers or dogs. Small to no kids clothing section but there are some games and kids books. Limited hours so plan your time wisely. Checkout time can be a wait. *There are a couple of "special" racks which are priced accordingly. read more

This place is doing good work, so please donate your good, unused, gently used items. All volunteers run. All proceeds go to helping children with dental issues. Nice items. So much gems and pricing is not outrageous. read more

Best thrift store ever! Wonderful bargains and merchandise and all moneys go towards orthodontists for children in need. The store is operated by helpful and friendly volunteers. Highly recommend! read more

A thrift shop with more reasonable prices , if you thrift in East Bay the prices are usually outrageous, Goodwill stuff is sometimes more expensive than new. Clean, well organized and managed by friendly retirees. Wear your mask indoors! Will be back. read more

I've been a volunteer at The Turnabout Shop for about 13 years, and would like to update folks in response to some of the reviews: -because we have no paid staff at all, our remaining open depends solely on having enough volunteers -- we can only be open when we have at least three volunteers on staff for any given day; -since our post-COVID 2020 closure and 2021 reopening, we are open Wed-Sat 12:30pm to 3:30pm, AND OUR HOURS POSTED ON THE FRONT DOOR DO STATE THOSE EXACT TIMES; -we accept donations during those days & hours so long as we have adequate storage & display space -- it's always wise to phone us during those hours to check before bringing donations; -every non-overhead penny we bring in* goes to dental and orthopedic treatment for children whose families can't afford that important childhood care; -the Turnabout Shop is the sole activity of The Berkeley Clinic Auxiliary, founded in 1917, and we have continuously provided free medical support to local residents in some form now for over a century! -we accept the donation of, and resell, clean and undamaged adult clothing, books, small electronics & cameras, kitchenware, small appliances and housewares, art & decorative items, jewelry, small hardware & sports gear, records & CDs, smaller musical instruments, and small garden decor -- because our shop is not large, we cannot accept furniture or any other larger-sized items; -we immensely appreciate our generous dinors and amazing customers . . .and always, always need & welcome new volunteers! Thank you! *we do not buy anything, nor accept consignments -- ALL our goods are donated by the kind folks in our area! read more

This store is a real asset to El Cerrito. Always nicely arranged and tidy. I noticed that they have an overabundance of outdated clothes that are very colorful. Seems people prefer black, grey and beige these days, so I hope they have an ecological way to dispose of them. read more

The Turnabout Shop is mostly clothes, collectibles, household stuffs, paintings, jewelry, etc. no furniture seen, small shop not much books here (.50-$3) 3.5 stars take outs: -interesting shop -not my style, yet. read more

This is a small shop and every time I have been in the past couple of months it's been busy. While I have only purchased baby clothes, I've gotten some deals (I bought 6 pairs of baby socks and a pair of baby pants for $1. On a previous visit I bought a Laura Ashley baby quilt, in what looked like new condition, for $5.). On a related note, I now donate most of my clothes and other unwanted items to this shop as they support local kids who can't afford dental or orthodontic care. On my last visit one of the women working there told me they are currently supporting 20 such kids. read more

I love this store! It is one of the last "old lady thrifts" left - the ones staffed by senior female volunteers who seem to have direct links to those downsizing or passing on because the stuff here rocks. Their prices started going up when eBay took off (suprise) but the selection tends to be pretty good no matter when you go. It seems to be the place for grad students at the Albany student housing to donate their stuff before leaving town, so try to check them out in late May and June for some great clothing and regular stuff. Worth the drive and not too far from El Cerrito BART. Parking is pretty easy on San Pablo. I'm going tomorrow! read more

Located a few doors down from the El Cerrito Speakeasy Theater. I have passed by this thrift store many times and could never figure out their hours. As of June 1, 2008, the hours are: Thurs, Friday, Saturday 11am-3pm This sweet store is operated by dedicated volunteers from the Berkeley Clinic Auxiliary which raises funds for local health care organizations including Alta Bates/Herrick Hospital Telecare Program. the SPCA hearing dog program, Greater Richmond Interfaith Program, Alzheimer Services of the East Bay, several health related summer camps for children, the Center foe Education of the Infant Deaf and Read Aloud Programs. Their prices are not dirt cheap but reasonable, remember the proceeds all go to charity. For $25 I got a soft, flower print cotton hoodie, a spoon holder (my mom just gave me her collection), 3 beautiful embroidered ornaments from China (see pic) and a pretty scarf. I'm a happy girl! They have 3 rooms of stuff. Not big rooms but the space is long and narrow and you'd be surprised by how much they can fit in here. They have clothing, household items, books, linens, jewelry and so many other things that you didn't know you wanted or needed. I was given the thrift store tour (see my next review) by my friend C and her son. Absent was her daughter, who at the age of 7 years is a more discerning shopaholic than I am! fyi. Cash only read more

Does anybody have an idea when the Turnabout Shop might reopen? I am taking a lot of stuff to Goodwill and St. Vincent, but I'd like to save some treasures for the shop . . . read more

Great charity ,well organized shop. The prices are really unreasonable. Especially on jewelry and so called antiques. read more

I've been going to this store for so darn long, I don't remember how long it is! As others have mentioned, it's hit or miss for getting in there, as I can never remember when they're open. As with everywhere else, your chance of finding a spectacular treasure at an affordable price has pretty much disappeared (someone appraises their items), but from time to time I find something I really like but can still afford. The ladies are always nice there. Apparently the customers aren't always, because they put in one of those cameras with the tv up front. I was shopping in there and hadn't noticed the new system, when the counter lady said to another customer, "Don't you want to buy some stockings?" The customer didn't reply, but went to the back. Then she came back to the front of the shop and left. I wondered what was going on. And then the counter lady told me she'd seen her on the tv putting stockings in her purse. The customer went and put those stockings back after the clerk asked her if she wanted to buy some. I thought that was the most polite and hilarious way of confronting a shoplifter I'd ever heard of. Anyway, it's one of those traditional little old lady stores, and has their usual mix, from antiques and jewelry, kitchen to books, clothes to baby stuff, you know the range. And it's nice stuff, though there's not a lot of it. Check it out, it's very pleasant, if you get there when they are open. , read more

The prices are great! Men's selection is small, about 6 feet wide. The quality of overall merchandise is OK, and the selection is limited. Mostly clothes in the back. Jewelry is at the counter and seems nice but I know nothing about that. My wife bought a pair of pants for $1, and they're still holding up, a few months later. They support a good cause, not one you typically think of - check their website to see. read more

It's a sweet store with a great mission . Unfortunately I can't depend on hours posted. I seem to always miss them. I'd like to donate again but taking boxes or bags n having them not be there for posted hours is a pain. I understand you have to be flexible with volunteers schedules but twice was enough for me read more

This shop is much deeper than it appears from the street, so don't think you can see it all from the window. Like many thrift stores, they have an eclectic mix of a little bit of everything - art, dishes, books, clothes, jewelry, etc. Be forewarned that everything is sold as-is, cash-only, and no returns, refunds, or exchanges. That said, you can find some great deals including sport coats for $8 and board games for $5.Worth poking your head into if you're in the area, perhaps catching a movie at the Cerrito Theater 3 doors down. read more

This shop is delightful. I have found so many wonderful collectibles here, in addition to jewelry vintage clothing. I love "old lady" jewelry, and it's all here. The women who work there are so sweet and enthusiastic, especially when you buy the earrings they donated to the shop that they remember wearing for 4th of July in the 50s. Sweet! read more

I try to pop into this shop every other week or so. I have totally scored items from their dollar rack! A few weeks ago I found a great little pair of leather boots (in my size amazingly enough). They were marked $6, but get this! When they were ringing me up they said they were on sale for HALF OFF! Oh Yeah! Their stock moves pretty quickly. So, you just have to stop by now and then to find your treasure. read more

I little more expensive than the thrift stores I'm used to, but the prices are reasonable if you catch them on a sale day. I recently got a bunch of really nice pants, each for $1 or $2 because pants were on sale that day. They put some work into their selection, so it's a bit pricier, but you can see their inventory more quickly and everything they have is relatively high quality. I got a few 100% cashmere sweaters for maybe $8 and a pristine Betsy Johnson dress maybe for $7. Pretty reasonable. read more

Only opened 12 noon-4 pm Wed-Saturday. Please keep this in mind. I've forgotten this fact only to arrive to find they haven't (forgotten, that is) :)) It sorta feels like you're shopping among friends. In the back room you can hear women chatting as they sort through items, as if at a church social. Their selection varies: I've found great ear rings, clothes, household items ( their "daily", changing, $1 rack (remember only wednesday - saturday) frequently offers amazing jewels). Yesterday I found an antique "uno" lamp shade (perfect condition), beautifully made, handmade beads hanging from its edge, elegant and chic. For a couple of months, on and off, I've been looking online, everywhere; a shade like this is $75 if you're lucky, up to $150-- plus shipping. I paid $10. Everyone is a volunteer here. All proceeds go towards providing dental care to local, impoverished children. Please support. read more

this is a great little store. They have quite high standards for what comes in there, so it's not extremely cheap but everything is in great shape. These ladies are tireless volunteers who are now presently supporting several local health charities, including those for children. When I donate items, I try to give them the higher quality items as that is what they can use the most. read more

Don't let the front of the store deceive you into thinking it is a small place. It goes back in to two other rooms. The finds here vary from housewares to clothing for the entire family to odds and ends that you will find you can't live without. Price wise, I think they are pretty fair as they only put out quality items. Some very exciting news is that since they re-opened they now take credit cards. Now if you find something you want and don't have cash, you can get it anyway. Open Wednesday through Saturday, Wednesday is a good day for "new finds." read more