Went in today, was surprised to hear two people behind the counter gossiping to each other and making transphobic comments.

I have been donating clothing and jewelry to the shop for more than 25 years. The DCA has always been an outstanding Darien Organization because they donate to many groups and provide Scholarships to local students. Lately however there are new people who are hurting the time-honored reputation of the shop. On my last visit, I was dropping off fairly expensive clothing. A man likely in his seventies, told me in no uncertain terms that I could only bring 3 bags at one time ! He really did not seem to have any idea of the value of the items and was very rude and almost hostile! He never called any of the regular staff to evaluate the articles and I left feeling put-out and sad to say the least. In the future I will donate to The New Canaan Thrift Shop, which has a much friendlier staff, even though I live in Darien. read more

People very nice who work here. Are back on track after Covid. Always busy so the good stuff goes fast. Very lucky to have this gem in town.

The DCA Thrift shop provides tremendous service to our community and many area residents as well. While they can not always take everything, the space is limited , they do an excellent job of repurposing items and making clothing and other items available to those in need, or simpy like collecting. I highly recommend this shop. read more

The prices have gone way way up. Used to be the best thrift store around : ( Also, everything is very picked through.

Terrific thrift shop with the most wonderful finds in housewares, decor, and wardrobe!

I've shopped in here many times over a few years and it's a mixed bag. This place is SUPER CUTE! Lots of awesome finds(SOMETIMES). Listen this place is all about who you check out with some of the ladies that work here SUCK. I mean they are the worst. Asking rude questions and just downright not wanting to do the basic addition required for larger purchases. The ladies roll their eyes and make rude comments which is really disappointing because the clothes here are SO CUTE. Im not saying all the people who work here are awful but it's been a very consistent thing with the older people they seem to hire. 10/10 clothes 2/10 bitchy older ladies who check you out. DONT ASK ME IF: "everything im buy buying is for me?" (Fuck off) or "do you have kids yet" (really? It's 2022) read more

I have been going to this store on and off for years. I remember when it wasn't as clean and well organized as it is now. I don't always buy something, but I have gotten some nice things. Sadly, when I entered the store the other day, wearing one of those very small triangular backpacks measuring something like 8 inches at the base and 8 inches high and about 1-2 inches thick with my wallet and phone inside, I was told, in no uncertain terms,I would not be allowed to shop unless I left my bag in my car, a bag I have repeatedly worn into the store in the past. I pointed out that my coat pockets would hold more that this tiny bag, and suggested that perhaps they have people turn out their pockets as well. Another woman in the store was carrying a large handbag and did not seem to have received the same treatment. I should have exited right then and there, but they begrudgingly let me have my bag. I gathered a few items totaling $9, and gave them a credit card as I was very low on cash. Again, I was told very harshly I could not use that for purchases under $10, even though no such policy was posted, and I had done so in the past. If these "policies" had been delivered in a tone and manner that was kind and courteous, I would not be reporting it here. I know it can be difficult to deal with the public sometimes, but I did not deserve to be treated this way. I work as a volunteer at a thrift shop, and make a point of greeting everyone who comes in and making them feel welcome. I understand shoplifting is an issue, but please do not treat people with disrespect in order to prevent it. Needless to say, I will not be frequenting this shop anytime soon. Besides the nastiness, prices are very high as well and getter higher for anything nice. Too bad. It didn't have to be this way. read more

After shopping at the DCA Thrift Shop for several years, I started volunteering and the manager, Debra Danile, was nice at first. I used to put some things aside that I would purchase later on (and I always followed through with everything I set aside. I left with at least $50 worth of clothing every time) which wasn't a problem until she decided it was. Even though I was going through all the racks over and over anyway, still moving things to their correct sections and gathering empty hangers, I was suddenly not allowed to set things aside. The other young volunteers were texting at the register, but when I took a photo of a pair of shorts, Debra came up to me and said, in front of CUSTOMERS AND VOLUNTEERS, "I don't this is going to work" insinuating that she no longer wanted my help as a volunteer. I felt publicly embarrassed. This is not a paid position, that is not how you treat helpers. read more

This used to be a fun thrift to visit. I shopped here for years, but with the recent reorganization it has Become a place I wouldn't recommend or return to. The management seems to have lost the traditional thrift shop vision of "raise money while serving the public with affordable goods". Lots of designer labels with high prices: I think they need to be told that they are not Nordstrom. I suspect they think their merchandise is so special because it came from Darien residents. In addition on two recent visits there was a staff chat fest going on. read more

I was not overly impressed with the items here... I guess it's ok for random cookware and other bric a brac but the clothes were really worn out, missing buttons, hung sloppily about, the shoes were dirty but they were very inexpensive. I saw some nice onion soup crocks for $2 and they were cracked.. I felt very cramped in here, it's a tight space and there were a surprising number of people in the shop. I am sure there are some good buys and nice items if you're really willing to pick, and if you like to sift through things there are probably some good deals to be had. read more

Before their remodel this might be a place to check out even though the condition of a lot items were pretty shabby. Now prices are high-especially when they have their designer sale. Just a tip-if you decide to pay their prices you really need to carefully check out things before you buy. A skirt which was no bargain at 48 dollars turned out to have a major seam rip that was never written on the tag and of course a final sale. You would do better shopping at GW. This place is basically a hen party where the workers think they are running some kind of boutique. read more

It's odd to me that I can find designer brands at the Goodwill stores in Norwalk and Stamford, yet can't find anything remotely similar in value/brand/quality here, especially considering the entire road the store is on is lined with Range Rovers, BMWs, etc and stores like Brooks Brothers and J McLaughlin. As someone mentioned in one of the reviews here, I'm not surprised that the volunteers pick things over for themselves. This store would bring in so much more money if they didn't. read more

Love, love, love this place. I've even found my discontinued dish pattern for pennies. Would have cost me hundreds through a replacement business. And while I am not one to wear used shoes, I have found brand new Stuart Weismans for $8 that I know go for around $300. read more

I don't generally leave reviews for charity shops because...well, they're charity shops, but I had to this time. I visited for the first time yesterday and was a little disappointed. A friend recommended the place to me a few months ago and said there were deals and treasures to be had. I'd agree with her that the prices are pretty good but a lot of the merchandise had missing buttons or stains. This would all be well and fine (it's a thrift shop after all) if not for the ladies speaking very loudly about what they picked through in the back and that if they knew something a customer bought was on the floor, they'd have taken it for themselves. Again, well and fine. I assume these ladies are volunteers and they kind of deserve first dibs, even a few things for free. In the end I walked away with a pair of jeans for $2 and was happy. Then I came back today for their annual sidewalk sale and sadly decided I wouldn't be visiting again. The highlight of the sale was a table of shoes. Some of them were very nice and priced well but there were staff (particularly a very fair short lady) who would be taking things out to put them on the table and when someone asked to see them would tell everyone they're keeping them for themselves. The short lady had two full bins of shoes and merchandise and would practically snarl at anyone who would even look at the bins. When someone else who worked there made a comment she said she wasn't even buying them just keeping them to try on and then she'd put them on the table. I saw one lady look at her, laugh, put back the shoes she was holding and leave the sale altogether. Here's the thing: it seems there is limited merchandise for the sidewalk sale, someone who works there keeping that much stuff is ridiculous, especially when I came back to the table and looked through the few things she put back all of it (new) was scuffed up because she'd just thrown them in bins haphazardly. I mean, she would be holding a box out to put on the table and when someone asked "what size are those?" she'd inspect it and say "mm, I'm keeping this" or "Okay, I guess you can have it." I told my friend about that and she said she noticed the number of clothes in her size drastically lowered the last few months and she'd suspected they were doing this. Her brother even said he went in there once and went to reach for something and a lady who worked there grabbed it from him and told him she was taking it. I can only laugh. There's something particularly sad about watching a thrift shop go downhill. Thankfully I won't have to watch. Yesterday was my first time visiting and today was my last. With that said, I wouldn't discourage every day thrift shoppers with a tight budget from visiting. They have great deals on pants and if you're in need it's one of the few thrift stores that you can get a pair for $2. If you're a serious thrifter who's in it for the hunt though, I would say skip this place. At first glance it seems alright but then you notice how much rehab needs to go into each piece. They're also clearly very unprofessional which usually leads to problems with pricing and the like. So many sweaters with pilling, one item even had some sort of crust on it. It's a NOPE for me. I'd rather go to the Stamford Goodwill, which is saying a lot! read more