*This review pertains to the donation/drop-off services here. I have not gone into the actual…read morethrift store, so I can't comment on the store itself* I am visiting my parents in Montreal, primarily to clean out their enormous storage room which, to my dismay, was like a hoarder's dream. Picture 65 years of ... stuff, from floor to ceiling in piles. A nightmare job. Anyhow, after two weeks, I finally got the place squared away. Only issue was, I now had TONS of bags of...stuff to get rid off. I'm talking blankets and pillows and bed linens (some new), a new carpet cleaner/steamer, framed artwork, old but working coffeemakers, tons of clothes, tons of totes and duffle bags, glass vases and ceramic jars.... I could go on and on. I initially planned to donate all this stuff to the Salvation Army thrift store on Sherbrooke St. W. in NDG. I drove around the block there but parking was impossible due to the high snow banks. (Even if the street was cleared, I'd still have had to pay for parking at the meter, FYI). I didn't want to park too far away as I had a gazillion bags to shlep to the store, and many were heavy. After 10 minutes or so, I pulled over and called the store, asking if they had a loading zone or garage or back door for me to temporary park, to unload all the stuff. The Salvation Army gal said no, and furthermore, the guy who assists at the front door, to help bring in donations, wasn't available yet anyhow. Bummer! I asked if there were a thrift store nearby that took donations that had a dedicated parking lot or unloading zone and the gal referred me to Renaissance on St. Jacques, just an 8 minute drive away. I'll cut to the chase here: this Renaissance place is the absolute BEST place to donate your stuff, hands down. You drive into this enormous parking lot right off of St. Jacques. Even with our recent snowfalls, the parking lot was totally cleared off. There's a big sign directing cars to the side of the building to drop of donations. Once you turn the corner there, there is a drive-up area, covered by a canopy, and guys with dollies waiting there to assist you! You don't even have to get out of your car! If you have a lot of stuff, or heavy stuff, or it's bad weather out, or if you are elderly or mobility-challenged, you don't even have to get out of your car. It is SUCH an easy, efficient system here! I can't tell you how impressed my mother and I were with this set-up. And the guys who assisted us were so friendly and nice, too. Bonus! Forget about shlepping your stuff to a thrift store in the snow, paying for parking, and dealing with the stress of all the logistics involved in getting rid of your stuff. This place makes it oh so easy.

One star less than five because of the lady assistant-manager. No friendly smile. No name tag…read more Looks at you like you are dirt. Gets extremely upset and yells at you if you place what she calls "electronics" after clothes and pots for plants, even if you are buying cables and flashlights. Orders you, instead of nicely telling you, how long you have to exchange or return things. All the other people in the staff commununicate with a smile except this woman. She is the exact opposite of courtesy. Renaissance is a beautiful place to shop but that lady should not deal with customers.