I almost don't want to give this place a good review because it is such a gem and is never picked through like a lot of places. This is so far my favorite thrift store in Boulder. Staff is very friendly and they always have new interesting things every time I go in. read more

This is a wonderful thrift store. I mostly go for the clothing. You can find some really nice name brand clothing. I really like the fact that they donate so much money to different nonprofits, homeless society, humane society, etc. read more

Amazing thrift store, been shopping here for a long time and found a lot of great stuff. Like-new shoes, even a tape recorder. Awesome place. read more

About 5 years ago, ARES was a real thrift store in that it was about what you were lucky to find ie. all mugs are 99., all blouses on sale at 50% off - even ones that are cooler or more popular- so as true thrifting goes, it's about getting lucky. A new owner took over ARES and puts people to work pricing everything individually to the point that it ruins this place. For a thrift store - it's way overpriced. It's not uncommon to find clothes and household items priced at $20 and over with some stupid note that says "$50 new!" or "Sells new for $40." The nice items are always marked with white tags and those never go on sale. It's only crappy stuff that gets the colored tags that rotate out for sale. The owner always has 2 or 3 staff of young people (never see people with disabilities working) and they are trained to constantly case the store to keep an eye on customers. It's totally annoying. They also say things like - "yah - what a sweet deal, huh?" and you look at them a little stunned with a polite half-smile as you read the price on a blouse at $16.99 (because "it's a brand new GAP blouse with tags which sold originally [likely in 2010] for $49.95!!"] They actually have better deals at the real GAP. Last thing - they claim to give money "support" to a few community non-profits and don't say how much goes to them. They could be giving less than 1% of their profits to these places especially because they fail to indicate how much they actually give. Huge red flag. I do notice the owner hires homeless people to flip a sign on the corner to send people to the store. I really hope she's not just paying them in merchandise or min wage. I think this new owner really knows how to work it and takes advantage of CU students who don't know what a real thrift store should offer. Don't waste your time. Goodwill, ARC and Humane Society Thrift store are the real deal. read more

I am unfamiliar with this enterprise. The owner of this For Profit Store became very angry when asked about pricing the merchandise. "I heard you give back to the community. Yet, some of the high prices on used shirts ($8) could be difficult to afford for people earning minimum wages. How is this helping?" Just a relative question from someone new to the community concerned that my donations would be helpful for those in need or with very tight budgets. After she angrily explained a discount schedule, she threw an insult and made a few assumptions. She was talking so fast, I didn't get all that she said. I couldn't ask another question if I wanted to. Then she told me she "doesn't owe me an explanation" and walked off. Whew! After that unwarrented treatment, we donated to a nonprofit unstead. read more

Well, I don't really have a lot to say here. It's a metal building in a crummy location full of clothes and strange stuff. I don't think their selection or the quality of the goods was as good as Salvation Army on 33rd. The staff was nice and they had some cool lamps and weird old coffee mugs in the back. I resolved to buy the strangest coffee cup they had if I found some clothing I liked to get me up to their $5.00 minimum for cards. I didn't find any clothes I liked however, so it wasn't an issue. I am sure there are some gems in with the rags, but I didn't find them. read more

Pretty crusty selection. Not much to see here at all. Not very large amount of items for any of the stuff. Wouldn't waste my time here unfortunately. read more

One of my favorite thrift stores in Boulder. They have a lot of well-organized stuff, some of it quite high-end. Prices are sometimes erratic though. The staff are friendly and appreciate weird. Check out their Facebook page for contests. I once won a $50 certificate for a smart-alecky answer! read more

This place is truly a gem! Although it can be hit or miss (as is any thrift store), the prices are very affordable (i.e. most clothes are under $10 with exceptions being some designer clothes, dresses, etc.). They even have a great and expanding Halloween section. The staff are warm and very friendly - get to know them and you won't be sorry! From bring your dog to work day (everyday) to the end of the month raffle party, this place is really cool; it's refreshing to find an independent thrift store compared to the big, less personable chain stores (like Goodwill). Lastly, in case you still aren't sold on Ares - money spent here at the store goes to helping those at Safe House. So not only can you treat yo' self, but you are helping others as well. Come check it out and I'm sure you won't be disappointed! read more

Love this place! One of the best thrift stores in town. Everyone who works there is super nice and the store has great variety. Really clean, decently cheap. They've always got sales going on so you can often get things for even cheaper. Really nice local thrift shop! read more

The employees here are very helpful and friendly. The selection of household goods was a little small, but the items were nice. The small furniture items here were good and priced fairly. The glassware, however, was overpriced: mugs for $2, bowls for $3. They do have sales on items with tags of a certain color, so I suppose that makes up for the overpricing sometimes. Can't comment on the clothes, as I haven't shopped in that section, but seems like there is quite a wide selection. read more

Friendly staff, reasonable prices, great location.... Just attended their first annual Secondhand Sunday, and won $100 Ares bucks in a raffle. This place is fun! read more

Located in a large warehouse, Ares is a bit of a diamond in the rough. Although a bit dingy, this thrift is well-organized, with welcoming staff, and always stocked. This is my go to for a GREAT selection of cheap, brand name jeans. read more

ARES is a wonderful locally owned thrift store! It is a little more expensive than other thrift stores for some items, but worth it since it is more curated. Their inventory changes frequently and they take the time to make it fun to shop there. They have sales, raffles, and their rewards program means you get more deals. I got a nice Maruka handbag there recently. read more

Good assortment of designer clothes. Not a great selection of boys clothes, furniture or coats. Nice people working there. Prices are excellent and everything is pretty well organized. read more

This is by far the best thrift store in Boulder! Every time I have come to the store it has been a pleasant experience. The staff has always been friendly and are in great spirits. Really great vibes and I love that they support a bunch of charities. They are extremely helpful in helping you find your way around their huge store (which has a great selection of reasonably priced items!) to find what you're looking for. I was able to snag a spiffy coffee machine for under $10 and I was even given $5 Ares bucks for my purchase during one of their festivities (which clearly made this purchase a steal)! I also really love that they are pet friendly! read more

We love Ares! My wife and I love shopping there- they have everything and at really great prices, and I especially like finding unique glasses from their glassware section, like a pair of antique coupes we found one day. They're super friendly there, too. We also love that they serve the community, helping people in need by giving them vouchers to shop for free. In addition to that, they help out local schools with fundraisers, including our kids' school. I also love that they accept so many items, making our lives easier when it is decluttering time, and knowing that these items will go to a good cause. read more

Found some really great brands on clothing!! Lots in store. However, some prices seemed a little high for second hand thrift items.

I've lived in Boulder for nearly two years and really felt welcomed to the city when I first walked into the newly managed Ares Thrift Shop. Not only do the sales associates Lupe & Taylor cheerily welcome me as I walked in but the store manager Jennifer chimed in after her and introduced herself. This is what customer service feels like! (I should know I am a former Disney employee) .The way the associates Evan, Julio and Matt conduct themselves in the store is refreshing they seem to really enjoy their work and take the time to welcome & assists all customers...not to mention the attention paid to keeping the store clean and esthetically pleasing...lets just say that it is a far cry from the store of early 2009. read more

BEWARE!!! The only time I have ever stopped in here was when I was in the area. I typically avoid ARES based on their very odd and EXTREMELY over priced goods. I'm talking outrageous prices. In addition their staff has been very rude the few times I have been there. However, if I'm nearby, I have stopped in couple of times over the last couple of years. One of those days happened to be today. I was shopping around and out of nowhere a policewoman appeared in front of me. The staff had called the police and reported that they believed I had stolen from them in the past. I would like to be clear: this is not true. I have never once stolen anything from ARES. Not today or any other day. They banned me from the premises, regardless of what I had to say, and I GLADLY went on my way. I see in other reviews that falsely accusing paying customers of theft has happened before. I am saddened that this store exists in the town of Boulder. Truly a crappy business. BEWARE!!! read more

This place is awesome. Friendly staff, good selection, and great deals! Go on Mondays for Buy one get one free clothing and shoes. Every day of the week has a certain deal. And be sure to get an ares punch card because you will be surprised how quickly you earn $10 ares bucks for clothing! read more

Let me start this off by saying I have never stolen or attempted to steal a thing in my life. The other week I visited this store for the first time, found a few things I liked from their homegoods area, and made my way to the front. At the checkout the woman behind the counter asked me if the labels on the items were the one's I found them with. I told her yes and asked why she asked. She told me that it looks like they've been tampered with as "we don't label our things like this" and told me that if I didn't leave the premises immediately she would call the police and have me arrested for attempted stealing. I told her again, this was how I found the product and I'd be happy not to buy them so they can relabel them or she could tell me how much it was supposed to cost but didn't appreciate the threats. She refused to talk it over and said I was not allowed to return. I am not a confrontational person and don't deal well with this sort of thing so I left in a flurry of embarrassment as other customers looked at me with unnecessary disgust. I had a minor panic attack, which I'm prone to when someone attacks me like this, upon getting out to my car. Later on in the week I came back and spoke to the other cashier that was in there and talked to her about what had happened and how I felt mistreated and asked why someone like the previous employee can just make accusations like that and treat people that way. She asked me who it was and I didn't get a name but remember her blue hair. Upon mentioning that she said that was the owner, THE OWNER, and must have had a reason to suspect me of stealing and that I was going to have to leave immediately. I have never been treated like this and can easily say I will never come back, not because they asked me to but because of the way they made me feel like criminal when all I wanted to do was buy a salad spinner. There are better thrift stores that treat their customers more appropriately so I'll just take my business elsewhere and encourage you to do the same. read more

I wish I liked this store. It is so close and has a really big inventory. Unfortunately the quality of the inventory is a little dated. Kids clothes were inexpensive but limited in selection. Prices are very fair. With the new owners there is no more smoking in the store - yay. I still prefer the local non-profits over this for-profit thrift. read more

For over a decade I've been shopping at and donating to ARES in Boulder. A few years ago when it was purchased by the current owner the quality of goods and service improved immediately which has made ARES a stellar operation. If you're locally owned by a woman you will always get my business when basic expectations are met, but ARES is beyond basic. The inventory changes hourly, the quality is unmatched by any other thrift store in Boulder County - they must hand inspect every - single - item that comes through the store. When I got married I popped in regularly to shop for decorations and vintage items to complement our theme. I love that ARES provides employment for dozens of people and they all seem to come to work with a great attitude. I'm always happily surprised by the service I receive. They also give back to our community and support people in need with their programs. Oh, and the music they play is great! I can get lost in there day dreaming about all the things I can do with my finds while a soundtrack to it all plays in the background:) read more

I was moving out of my house and had some extra furniture to donate, called Ares and within two days had someone with a truck who actually picked up the dressers and desk. The pickup guy was so friendly and nice. Later that day I got a call saying they had found 150$ in one of the dressers that I had donated and gave it all back to me! No other thrift shop would do such a thing, such great people! read more

Many of Boulder's thrift store "finds" are often in this store at any given time. New merchandise appears frequently, but if it's good, or vintage, or interesting, usually gets snatched up right away. It's a wonderful place to go to hunt for odds n ends, and to find things to use in your assemblage art. I don't often fill up a cart here, like I might in a larger thrift store, but I go frequently and get that one or two fantastic find every day or so. read more

A really cool community thrift shop. They often have special discounts for students and faculty. There are many sales and promotions throughout the year. All yellow tag items in the center of the store are either 10 cents or 25 cents - I forgot, but absurdly cheap. read more

Great store! Always has brand name items at ridiculously cheap prices. The staff is helpful and so nice. Shop here!!!

I found a great selection here -- I went in looking for one item and walked out with an armful. The open layout made it easy to see what my options were, which is unusual in a thrift store, where it often feel like the clothes and the shoppers are crammed so tightly together that it's hard to shop. Best of all, the staff were incredibly friendly, kind and helpful. I stopped by here on a whim and I'll definitely be going back! read more

Seriously, Boulder thrift store's have nicer items than most new stores in other parts of the country. Whenever I can make the trip over to Ares in Boulder, I find something awesome, so I just keep going back. Case in point, there are some drums and old school puppets hanging out next to the same Ikea desk and bunkbeds I bought new for about 4 times as much as I saw them asking for at Ares. I'm not a big fan of thrift stores that are a total waste of time, so I've found this to be one of the best for picking up cheap cool stuff, and typically the same or cheaper than other stores. I'll keep going back if I keep scoring. read more