How can I not give TROSA Thrift Store of Durham five stars? They were able to do what Habitat for…read moreHumanity ReStore (Durham) and the Durham Rescue Mission could not: They picked up our furniture donation from the third floor of our apartment building without an elevator. The other places either required an elevator or the furniture be moved to the ground floor. Not only that, but the guys from TROSA, Quentin R and Christian, showed up on time and worked efficiently. Also, TROSA's Donations Coordinator, Cheryl Rogers, was great to work with. Everything was taken care of without any hiccups. The lady I spoke to at Durham Rescue Mission referred me to TROSA. I had never heard of TROSA until that point in time. Shortly thereafter, I learned that my wife's clinic regularly treats patients from TROSA and my mom has donated furniture to TROSA's Winston-Salem thrift store. TROSA stands for Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers. Both Quentin and Christian came up through the TROSA program. If I recall correctly from my conversation with Christian, TROSA helped get them back on their feet. Quentin is older and I believe a graduate who is now a manager. Both guys were nice and did really hard work. They helped move the following for us: 1 office desk 1 office chair 2 loveseats with pillows 1 lounge chair with cushions 1 small table set (3 tables in 1) 1 fold-up shelf (3 tier) ------------------------------ 7 items total The office desk was old, but in good condition, and super heavy. As soon as they saw it, Quentin said it was going to be "fun." They wrapped it in plastic to protect it before moving it. I was curious how they were going to move it. They didn't wear gloves or use a hand truck. They simply used their bare hands and raw strength, plus some moving blankets to help slide the desk on the second floor of the stairwell. I was really impressed. Christian took most of the weight, being the guy on bottom. It wasn't an easy task. Afterwards, Quentin and Christian told me the desk wasn't that bad. They've had to move much worse, like pianos. Just an incredible job by those two. It took them about 40 minutes to haul everything away. Quentin ran the show. He and Christian were able to find our apartment door without having to call and ask where to go (a lot of delivery drivers got lost, but not these guys). They were uniformed in light blue TROSA T-shirts and black pants/shorts. While moving the items, Quentin had me fill out a Donation Pickup Form that listed everything I donated with an estimated value. At the end, all three of us signed it. I received a copy of the form which serves as a receipt for an income tax deduction. Also, there was a place on the form where I could write in a tip, which served as an additional donation. I tipped $35 in cash. The pickup itself was free. Beforehand, I coordinated with Cheryl over the phone and via email. We handled the list of furniture items to be donated and the scheduling and logistics of the donation itself. I was located in Chapel Hill and the first stop (11:00am) in Chapel Hill on Quentin and Christian's route that day, a Tuesday. You can call or email TROSA to get the process started. I emailed. Cheryl called me within one business day and was able to get me scheduled as soon as 13 days out, which ended up working out perfectly for us. Book early. One thing Cheryl asked me for was emailed pictures of everything I wanted to donate. She then called me again a couple days later to confirm the pickup appointment and details like parking, how many stairs and landings, etc. TROSA is thorough. Quentin and Christian arrived in a large marked TROSA truck. Coincidentally, I noticed a TROSA truck at our same apartment complex less than two weeks prior to this pickup.

This is my absolute favorite local place to shop when I want to change up my furnitire and decor!…read moreMy go to for up cycling and finding the right pieces at the right time. Other local thrift stores don't compare. This place always puts out the best worthwhile items. And the staff is amazing. Attentive and friendly. They are working with the program for consistent recovery and it shows. Just a great group of overcomes pushing through for their best life. Oh, and their donation zone is so easy. Drive up to the front, get the guys to lend a hand, and drop off! Also, they pick up for donation (upon approval) so send things you would want to upcycle and buy. They also deliver large pieces with a fee based on your distance from the store. Truly such an easy and professional experience. Love them.

It's not the place, it's the surroundings. Construction everywhere that's confusing with limited…read moresigns, took me awhile to figure out where to park and had to go over a dirt hill. Only one store was open, it seems the other had a fire :( I hope this place gets restored to its former glory.

I love this place! It's so quaint and charming. I feel as if I'm going back in time every time I…read morevisit! The prices are reasonable too.

I have been there twice within their posted business hours and the doors were locked with a closed…read moresign in the window. Correct your posted business hours! It's not a good way to do business; and it's very inconsiderate of your customers.

Locale: On the edge…read moreof commercial sector of old downtown Pittsboro in the intersection between Hillsboro and Salisbury Street, there is a corner store that focuses on antique/vintage furniture and decorative arts peppered with a few current items. The store's ethos focuses on sustainability, but not just for the sake of selling "old things" but rather as a replacement for "new things" and to prevent such items from accumulating in a landfill as they clean and repair (when needed) items before setting them on display. As you walk toward the store you are greeted with a welcoming blue-green colored sign, announcing that you have arrived at your destination. Ambiance: On a hot and sunny summer day, it is very nice to be hit with a wall of cool air as you walk through the door and begin to browse. Not too cold, but just right. Don't you just hate walking into a freezer when you're dressed for the beach? Don't worry about that here. Unlike many antique/vintage goods stores, this one has plenty of room to walk without bumping into other people or items. Also unlike many similar businesses, the items are displayed very neatly and with thought. For example, a 1930s vanity and a Victorian armoire were appropriately staged with accessories that would have been used originally. This helps design-challenged people with ideas on how to personalize the item after purchase. In the Bag: The assortment of items runs the gamut from Victorian pieces to a more contemporary selection, although the bulk of the items are early 20th century to most of the "younger" pieces being more than 30 years old. There were also some Mid-Century modern pieces like the patio set, and the dinette. Additionally there were some items that harken back to the time when North Carolina was mostly an agricultural state and these items provide a first-hand glimpse at how life was at that time, such as the vintage enamel chamber pot. On the back wall there is a selection of vintage housewares, and collectable glasses. Behind the cash register is a doorway that leads to a stock room that is filled with merchandise, likely not accessible to the public. So although the sales floor has somewhat fewer items than many similar stores, because the layout was thoughtfully planned, there is plenty of backup merchandise in the case where many items are sold at once. Considerations: This store provides its clientele with unique and vintage items that you can actually use in your home. The selection feels curated and gives the impression that the store owner has given consideration to the selection and presentation, which gives this place a polished and professional feel. The prices are quite good, so you can expect items to be priced well lower than new items (in "normal" non-high end stores) albeit with the better build-quality that cannot be accessibly found today. If you can, I highly recommend this place to do furniture shopping. You may find something here that you will like, and you will be helping the environment by keeping vintage furniture out of landfills.