3.5 stars for AL Riverside. I got some pretty plates. 50s porcelain with a very "me" pattern, so, if you're a local who can breeze through regularly, you will probably luck up on stuff now and then. There just wasn't very much inventory, really. AL can't control what donations they get, so no fault on them. I'm just saying, an empty-ish thrift isn't any fun. read more

This used to be where I would donate my nicest items, mostly inherited antiques. But recently I was criticized by staff that my donations weren't up to their standards, so I decided that I will no longer foist my unwanted items on them and instead find other, more eager, charity venues. read more

I've passed by, but haven't stopped in until now. Well organized shop with vintage and current items for sale . They were running a promotion so it was busy .I was still asked if I needed assistance with something I was looking at. You can't find that in regular stores nowadays. I'll be back because they have some interesting items . read more

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this place. Let's start with the obvious: there was zero greeting when I walked in. No "hello," no "welcome," no eye contact just me wandering in like a ghost with a shopping bag. I stayed about 30 minutes, and not once did anyone ask if I needed help, if I was finding everything, or the usual "thanks for coming in." Now, here's where it gets awkward. While I floated around invisible, I noticed other shoppers being approached, assisted, and even thanked warmly. Maybe they were regulars. Maybe it was just coincidence. Or maybe my dark melanin skin stood out a little too much among the non-melanin crowd. I won't assume just yet but let's just say I noticed. That said, let's talk positives: * Prices = Excellent. Finally, a thrift store that hasn't lost its mind and started charging boutique prices. * Organization = Clean, neat, not the "dig through a mountain of chaos" type of store. * Deals = Scrub sets for $2, kids' clothes for $2-5. I scored two flannel dresses and jeans for my granddaughter for just $11. And they even threw in their "special of the week" a free vase, which made my plant-obsessed heart happy. So overall: * Shopping experience: Great deals, smooth browsing. * Customer service: Let's just say, if being ignored was the goal, 10/10 nailed it. * Return visit?: Yes. But more out of curiosity than loyalty. I want to see if this was just "one of those days" or if this is the standard vibe. Not a horrible experience just awkward and a little uncomfortable. Cheap scrubs and flannels might bring me back, but next time I'll be paying attention to whether it's the prices that are different... or the people being treated differently. read more

Great place , lots of selections , great staff and lots of help and friendly people . Prices are great

I've been donating here for years! I was just trying to donate a bag of clothes during the advertised time and this old man chewed me out saying they were full. I get being full, but he was so nasty for absolutely no reason. read more

Assistance League - So mean! - Antiques Near Me - Riverside, California

Been shopping here for years now. Seems like within the last 6 months their pricing has gotten ridiculous. Many items are absurdly priced for a thrift store. This is not an antique store, it it a thrift store and they need to price accordingly. They had a doll house and priced it at $250 ridiculous. Take a visit here and check out the prices you'll be shocked. Worse than greed will. read more

45 dollars for a fossil bag and 175 for a flower ash tray is crazy.... the older ladies here are getting out of control pricing things like it's a museum. I used to find good things here not anymore. read more

This used to be my favorite thrift store in Riverside. I've been coming here for at least 5 years. I loved it because it was one of the few thrift stores left that had quality items for an affordable price. I used to find gems like a leather vest for $6. This has changed drastically. Yesterday there was an unmarked hat and when I asked for the price, the staff member said it would be $16 because of its "brand." It's clear that due to increased foot traffic, they've increased their prices and now see the opportunity to price point based on the brand. In principal, it really shouldn't be that way. Items are donations, and thrifting was made to be affordable are accessible to folks. I saw that they had a $1,000 table - how is that accessible? read more

recently visited this lovely shop with a friend to satisfy my thrifting obsession. while parking on their lot is not plentiful, we easily found spots on the street next to it. inside is brightly lit, with clearly delineated areas of neatly organized, well-labeled items that were varied, clean and decently priced. items include sturdy well-made furniture, clothing, housewares, handbags, kitchen appliances, artwork, fake plants and books. rock/pop from the prev. millennium played softly and the sales-ladies were friendly and helpful. it's a new favorite spot for me. read more

They have a wide selection of some new and gently used items. Store is clean, we'll staged. Prices are very good. Staff is friendly and helpful. It is an all volunteer organization with proceeds going to their programs to help underprivileged children in the community. read more

The staff was incredibly friendly, loved their vibe and prices were NOT expensive. We got more than a dinner set of incredibly nice pieces for a more than reasonable price. If you are looking for the antique vibe without the antique price tag this is the place for you. We will definitely be coming back! read more

If you've ever shopped at an AL store, they're all the same. Lots of friendly staff to help customers, items well organized, fair prices, plenty of space to shop, items not over crowded on racks or shelves. It's a nice atmosphere. The collection is curated towards those with mainstream taste. There wasn't anything unique or exciting--this is typical for AL and not a complaint. It's not trying to be quirky or edgy. It's polite and cozy. Nonetheless, I left with a couple of kitchen towels, a Juicy Couture top, and a bottle of Marc Jacobs perfume, which was graciously wrapped in paper. My total was about $11. Not bad at all! read more

Assistance League - My purchases. A lady was wrapping my bottle of perfume. - Antiques Near Me - Riverside, California

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I agree with review by Amis, this thrift store has greatly deteriorated the last few years and continues to by overpricing merchandise that are true secondhand and sometimes dated items. I've shopped here for 10 years and have seen the changes. Many items in their "boutique" section, which are supposed to be premium finds, are faded, worn, and/or shrunken down. Other items throughout the store are simply overpriced for their value. I've seen a few items which still had manufacture tags were being sold at similar prices. They've also recently changed their sales to 40% off instead of 50% off. Lastly, most of the volunteers are personable and helpful, but there are a handful who carry a snobby demeanor and make shopping there uncomfortable. Overall, I find myself shopping here less and purchasing less. read more

Great place to get cute things for you home or to ware to a party grate volunteer staff

It used to be a thrift store with thrift store prices, but now they are just gouging you. $14 for 4 tiny icecream cups, absolutely not. After shopping here for a good seven years,I'm officially done supporting this location and cause. read more

I know this store does good things for the community! However, the few times we've donated, the volunteers have made us feel like they're doing us a big favor by taking our things and that we're disturbing them in whatever they're doing at the time. read more

The ladies here are always so friendly and often knowledgeable on the vintage items. I like that they still have thrift store prices (affordable) and actually put thought into the merchandising and pricing. They separate boutique clothing, and have a separate vintage section which makes shopping easy. They often have really good sales too. My favorite section to shop is the kitchenware (dishes, and glass) and boutique clothes. read more

Very clean & nice people. All merchandise clean & pressed. 2 individuals extremely knowledgeable and helpful

I have shopped at the Assistance League Riverside thrift store for years & have found so many incredible items & deals. I have always called their store the "Nordstrom"of Thrift Stores as they have beautiful women's, men's, kids & teen clothes & shoes sometimes never worn with the new tags still on. I love to shop the housewares department & have found name brand pots & pans & cookware items. They have a nice selection of costume jewelry & my first stop in the store is to look at the jewelry case by the check out stands as I have found some amazing gold rings & vintage Disney watches. They have a great vintage room with many oddities from time to time. I love to browse the picture & art section & have found some original oil & water color paintings. The volunteer staff seem to really do their research on pricing most items & price things less than half of the value. The store is always well stocked & new surprises are always popping up on the shelves. It seems like from the donations they get in they put the best of the best items only on the floor. Most all of their items on the floor from their boutique clothes that you could tell were steamed to get out the wrinkles to the glassware & nick knacks which are always clean & well displayed. Most thrift stores you go to things are randomly tossed on shelves but this store is well organized with the departments clearly marked. They have seasonal themed holiday sections with my favorite being the the winter wonderland in December. They also have special displays for all the main holidays like Valentines, Easter so on. They always have "weekly" 50% off sales on certain items & departments. About three to four times a year they have a store wide 50% sale. The "all volunteer staff" have always been very helpful. With their incredible weekly sales they do get very busy & you could tell they do their best to get everyone checked out in a timely manner. I love supporting a organization like the Assistance League of Riverside that is an "all-volunteer"organization dedicated to clothing, comforting and educating the children of our community. read more

This thrift shop is a wonderful discovery! It is particularly clean and well organized, with a lot of great items.

Staff is really nice and super helpful! This place can get super popular and crowded so come early! I'm always greeted when I come in and usually leave the store with at least 1 item. They seperate the store into 3 sections-- regular clothing ($) boutique ($$) and vintage/antiques ($$$). Cute layout but some items are overpriced. They have sale days so watch out for those, I believe they have an email sign up. read more

Love this place! Good quality clothing and items at an inexpensive price. And you are helping a charity!

I have found that Assistance League of Riverside's Thrift Shop is one of the nicest around. It is totally run by volunteers, no paid employees. That means that after basic operating expenses the money brought in from this shop goes directly back into the community to help with their many philanthropies. It is neat, clean, well organized, new merchandise daily with a friendly staff. (remember they are volunteers) The shop has different sales weekly. I wish they were open more days, but I understand getting volunteer staff is not always easy. They are open from 10:00 am until 6 pm Tuesdays, 10:00 until 2:00, Thursdays and Saturdays. read more

Thursday, October 27, 2011 Cute little thrift store that's run by old ladies. It does have the thrift store smell so be prepared. It's pretty easy to find since they leave this little sign outside to say when it's open. Surprisingly, there are a lot of old ladies in there shopping around as well. They're all really nice so don't mind them. Their selection is small. It's bigger than your average thrift store but I've been to better thrift stores with a better selection of items for a smaller store and cheaper prices. Total: $4.31 $4.31 - Scarf - I found this vintage abstract printed scarf here and I really had to have it. It was really cute and the pastel color of it was what screamed at me to get it. Overall, I was pretty happy with my find for the day. :) read more

I used to always find something here but lately I have walked away empty handed. I like vintage sewing patterns and they used to have patterns, notions , or at least books. I have to wonder if they now have someone working there who is into sewing too and takes all the good stuff. Or maybe they are "saving" them for their sales they have. Whatever, I've stopped going in. read more

Cutest place ever and the sweetest ladies working there! A pleasure going there every time I go. read more

Clean and well staged. Volunteers of all ages. Very good merchandise with swift turn over. Money raised is used to help many community efforts. Good Job Assistance League..We appreciate your work and your continued service to our community. read more

It was voted best in Riverside so I checked it out and it has many things to choose from tho in my opinion its not the best ive ever been to but id diff go back if i was in the area read more

The best organized thrift store in Riverside - easy to breeze through in 10 minutes (unless your someone who needs to look at every item!). Clean, no 'thrift odor' and friendly volunteer staff. The one problem can be the relatively short opening hours, so check them before going. If you're driving past anyway, a small sign outside on the sidewalk shows they're open. read more

Cute, clean, and organized thrift store. My favorite in Riverside. I love the ladies that work here. They are all so kind and helpful. I just wish they had later hours. read more

This is a very nice and will run thrift store and it has a very nice selection of items which changes frequently. One must return frequently to find the best values. The revenue is used for many philanthropic activities. I advise you to stop by both for the values and to see how they give back to the community read more

I love this store for it's Boutique section. They always have cute tops and great purses. Love the ladies that work there. The cause is feeding and clothing the children in Riverside....so the money stays local. read more