About

Our Story

Community Thrift Store, founded in 1982, is a non-profit organization that works with over 200 Bay Area charities. We accept donations on behalf of our charity partners, sell the items in our store, and then disburse the proceeds. Community Thrift Store is an independent and non-discriminatory establishment and when you donate to us you can pick your favorite charity!

Whether you are looking to free up some space, donate to a vital community organization or find your next conversation piece, Community Thrift is the spot.

What Will I Find at Community Thrift Store?

You will find an eclectic mix of donated items ranging from low-priced everyday necessities like kitchenware to furniture and home decor spanning antique to Danish modern and mid-century. We have an ever rotating stock of men’s and women’s clothing in new and vintage styles, plus fun accessories, jewelry and shoes. Our book section is packed with everything from classic literature to celebrity autobiographies. Whether you’re furnishing a new apartment, refreshing your wardrobe, or hunting for rare collectibles, there is something here for you.

We’ve been an award-winning independent establishment in San Francisco’s Mission District for over 35 years. If you don’t find what you’re looking for on your first visit, keep in mind that we add hundreds of new items to the sales floor every single day.

Community Thrift Store Hours

Community Thrift Store is open:

10am to 7pm, 7 days a week
Donations are accepted 10am to 5pm daily.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DONATING TO CTS

Holiday Hours

New Year’s Day – Closed
Easter Sunday – Close at 4:00pm (Donations close at 2pm)
Memorial Day – Close at 4:00pm (Donations close at 2pm)
Gay Pride Day (Last Sunday in June) – Closed
4th of July – Close at 4:00pm (Donations close at 2pm)
Labor Day – Close at 4:00pm (Donations close at 2pm)
Day before Thanksgiving – Close at 3:00pm (No Donations Accepted)
Thanksgiving – Closed
Christmas Eve – Close at 3:00pm (No Donations Accepted)
Christmas – Closed
New Year’s Eve – Close at 3:00pm (No Donations Accepted)

We’re a San Francisco Green Business

Community Thrift Store is certified as a San Francisco Green Business for meeting high environmental standards in the area, which includes our efforts in purchasing, use and disposal.

San Francisco Green Businesses directly contribute to sustainability through pollution prevention, waste management, conservation practices, energy efficiency, and water and waste management.

Through donations and shopping at Community Thrift, you are contributing to the city and the environment.

Our Home. Our City. Our Planet.

Learn more about the California Green Business Network

I Don’t Live In San Francisco (Or I Do And I Don’t Want To Get Dressed)

Can I shop Community Thrift Store Online?

We do not currently sell items online because we are dedicated to keeping it local. Our donors appreciate that their donations stay within the Bay area community and our loyal shoppers are devoted to the thrill of the hunt. Since we do not cherry pick the rarest and most valuable items to reserve for online sales, all that great stuff is available in our store.

If you don’t live in the Bay area, you can still follow us on social media for DIY inspiration and thrift shopping tips. And of course, stop in and say hi next time you’re in our neighborhood!

Where Does the Money From My Purchase Go?

At Community Thrift Store donors choose which charity organization will receive the proceeds from the sale of their donated items. When you make a purchase at CTS you will be supporting one of over 200 Bay area charity partners. Your purchase receipt will show which non-profit organization will benefit from the sale.

Is My Purchase at Community Thrift Store
tax deductible?

Community Thrift Store is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency, so donations are 100% tax deductible (Federal Tax ID Number is 23-7262039.) However, purchases are not tax deductible. When you buy cool new-to-you stuff at CTS you are considered to bepaying fair market value in exchange for goods.

Shop and Support Local Charities

Our Top 5 Tips to Getting the Most Out of Thrift Shopping

Shop Often If you have ever gone to a big department store twice in one week, you probably noticed that it looked exactly the same each time. That will not happen at Community Thrift Store! We restock the sales floor with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of unique items every single day. Stop in often to find your next treasure.
Keep An Open Mind Sometimes the perfect thing is the one you weren’t expecting. Our customers are creative and resourceful and have done some brilliant upcycling and repurposing with items they’ve found at our store. If you’ve ever been inspired to be more DIY or create a Pinterest worthy transformation, start here!
But Also Keep a List There is a huge array of categories at Community Thrift Store. Keeping a list of items you’re currently hunting for will ensure that you don’t forget to check the furniture section for a new desk chair or scan our book aisles for your next beach book.
Be Patient When it comes to thrift shopping you may not find exactly what you’re looking for the first time, but if you continue to look you WILL find it. Your patience will be rewarded by knowing that you paid less, made a sustainable choice, and supported your community.
Cultivate Good Thrift Karma Some of our shoppers rely on the thrift gods to deliver what they are looking for, and some believe that good thrifting karma will reward them. How do you get some of this magic? We recommend making a donation of goods to CTS, sharing our posts on social media, treating the staff and fellow shoppers with kindness, or supporting one of our community partners.

Visit Community Thrift Store in San Francisco

We’re located at 623 Valencia Street in San Francisco, CA. Stop in to check out what treasures we have today, or give us a call at (415) 861-4910 with any questions.