I love this place & what they stand for with their cause. They have a variety of different items & never know what you are gonna find. Helpful & friendly employees. Items all vary in different prices but have some good deals. Definitely recommend this place! read more

The staff is so nice. I've never shopped there but I have donated many times. I like that it's helping animals in need. Please shop there or donate if you can read more

lol!! I've never been in a store that tried harder not to sell something. First time in and they had several pieces of Kitchen-aid baking dishes. Each were priced between $14-$17 and I think there were six pieces. I asked the woman at the front if I bought all of them, was there any kind of deal they'd make. She had to ask her manager. She asked and I'm seriously not even sure if she finished her sentence before the manager snapped "No! We just got those in". Hahaha!!! Well, you don't want to sell them??? I honestly would have considered paying full price. I would have for sure bought all of it if they knocked off even $5 on the total. I just wasn't sure if they negotiated prices since it's just a thrift store. I didn't buy anything and won't walk back in to that store. How can a manager be that rude? To the owners, you're losing sales. We live close by so I'll recommend they not bother. She should take a class in sales. read more

When in downtown Ventura, check out the SPARC Second Chance Store! For many years, there have been a number of thrift shops on the lower part of Main Street, near the Mission. This one has consistently shone above others. The way they organize the store, from the dual large display windows in the front, to the departmental style for presenting merchandise, it feels cozy and easy to shop. The staff members at the cash wrap are always gracious. As others have noted, they pack fragile items carefully. The housewares seem to be of better quality than other thrifts. They organize them by colors and styles, as much as possible. We almost always find something we'd like to take home. I've picked up brand new seasonal scented liquid hand soap, gently used décor items, vases, and a whole farmyard holiday lighted set with accessories. Some of their furniture items have been tempting. Prices are fair. We always gravitate to this store, and we'll surely be back on our next Ventura visit. read more

SPARC Second Chance Store - Front window, reflecting Main Street. - Thrift Stores Near Me - Ventura, California

Excellent business! Great staff! Good cause! This place is pretty well organized and clean for a thrift shop. The building is interesting - perhaps an old theater prior to being a thrift store? Anyhow, the cashiers and staff are very kind and I believe are mostly volunteers. The proceeds mostly go to the Santa Paula Animal rescue. They seem to love pets - sell some pet stuff and they offer dogs small treats if it's ok to do so. The cashier was very sweet and wrapped up my cups very well so they didn't break on my walk! I forgot to take a nice pic inside the store but here's the cups and the bag she packed them in nicely. Thanks! read more

SPARC Second Chance Store - The cups Made it back safely in the well wrapped bag she put it in. Thanks SPArc! - Thrift Stores Near Me - Ventura, California

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I was very disappointed in this place. They really didn't have much of any worth as you're walking the other other thrift stores you can walk in there but it's nothing I would go there for make sure to donate a dollar or two in the front for animal shelters. read more

I love animals and I love a good thrift store. This place checked all the boxes. They have a great selection of various items. It's not always sorted out according to size, but like any thrift store patience is key. I bought two items for $5 and met a sweet employee named Jackie. If I had brought our larger car I would bought some furniture because they had great deals. Check this place out and support a no-kill animal shelter. read more

Quality goods friendly staff and going to a good cause. We go here every time We Hit Main St., Ventura read more

Nice selection of reasonably priced items. Proceeds go to a wonderful cause. People working here are very nice & helpful. Let's keep them stocked with items they can sell to help animals. I always donate, easy pick up. I also donate to their wishlist on their website. read more

I have enjoyed this store since it opened for the curated items. I enjoy the items this store has, especially the artwork and widow displays. Today I found a lovely China plate. Any store that supports animal rescue is worth my money and donations. You are sure to find a treasure! read more

Great purchases at the SPARC store. Makes it even better, since we are helping the animals!!

I think it is for a good cause but it's slim pickins over here. If you find something decent, it is priced high. Go if you want to check it out. I didn't find much to say I'd go again. But kudos for the good cause. read more

I've been here twice in the last few weeks after discovering it while walking around downtown Ventura. They are nonprofit, giving 100% of their profits to a local animal rescue organization. The store is long and rectangular shaped, filled with home and furniture items in the first half, and the back half is all clothing and shoes. They don't have dressing rooms but there are mirrors so you could hold it up and see if it fits. Honestly, the prices are so low I wasn't worried too much if something didn't fit I would just donate it back! Knowing my money is going to a good cause is the feel good about this shop. Both times I came I scored some awesome finds on clothing. Their prices are really great, too- I got some jeans for eight dollars, pants I think were seven or six dollars. And the tops I got were all between 4 to 6 dollars. Great brands like Tommy Bahama, gap, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, all the surf brands, etc. The employees are mostly volunteers as well. So be extra nice to them :). If you're in the downtown Ventura area do yourself a favor and stop in here to do some shopping! read more

I found an amazing dress here. I will post the photo later. It is a size too big for me. I tried it on over my clothes. The colors, the style ... oh so flattering. My hesitation was the price. The tag said $16 which I valued as high for a thrift store. After a minute or two, I decided to buy it. The cashier rang it up for $8. Yea for me! The thrift store is clean and well organized. I thought that the furniture items were in great shape and sell for a reasonable, not a bargain, price. After this visit, I will be back. read more

Had a great time in Ventura, as usual, but the best part of our day was stopping into the SPARC thrift store and finding a 77-piece Johnson Bros Heritage white china set for $100! This was my late mom's everyday dishware and it was obliterated in the Northridge earthquake. Bought the set and the lovely employees (didn't catch their names...dark-haired young man and woman, man had a beard iirc) wrapped up each piece, with tape! They helped us get it to the car and it survived a backseat trip back home. What a great experience and supporting my favorite cause: animals. Will definitely be back. P.S.: there was also a gorgeous Limoges set for an incredible price. Thrifters should not overlook this store. read more

SPARC Second Chance Store - Gorgeous 77-piece set of Johnson Bros China for $100!!! - Thrift Stores Near Me - Ventura, California

I stopped in to browse last night while waiting for a friend. The store is clean and very attractively organized. Merchandise is displayed really nicely and everything is clean and in good condition (considering age in the case of vintage items). The front display windows are open for you to walk up and browse in and the staff greeted me quickly when I entered but were not pushy or in my space. I didn't find anything I had to buy but they had lots of cool stuff there. Prices are not low, but everything is nice, cleaned up and easy to browse/see. I'd definitely come here again! read more

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I went in this store on sat. 6/6/20. I bought 2 single folding tv tables. I got them home and put them aside and went about my business. Today 6/7/20 I pulled the wrappers off which made them seems new, and they were. I was black and one was a light finish. I noticed the black one had some of the varnish scraped off. ( no big deal) the light colored one was cracked completely across with just the cross rails holding it together. I called and was told "No Returns or Exchanges" I assumed that was if you just didn't like something or it was a wrong size? But to say that about something that was neither my fault or there's, was a bit or should I say quite wrong. I figured because it was broken it would have been a different outcome. It's nothing to do with buyer beware, it's more of a decent thing to do. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME! read more

SPARC Second Chance Store - Crack from one side to the other. - Thrift Stores Near Me - Ventura, California

I LOVE that this stores money goes to running a NO KILL shelter in SANTA PAULA and helps get these guys adopted out to loving families. Some of these animals have been abandoned by owners they trusted. Heartbreaking but SPARC finds them new forever homes read more

Lots of good stuff at the store. Make sure you stop in the far back because there's some real treasures there too. Although we found some items, other places in town tended to have a better selection. read more

I felt very reluctant to post this but, after talking with my friends, I felt that it was my responsibility to share this. My wonderful friends recently adopted a beautiful doggo shortly after learning that the wife has Cancer and may possibly not be able to have children. While visiting this establishment, my friends were discussing with a couple of the ladies that work there, specifically one named Ophelia who is the manager, that they were going to be traveling soon and that they were looking into options for their new puppy as far as pet care, housing while they travel and so forth and this manager of your store decided to con them into giving their puppy over to the Second Chance Store (not a rescue or shelter) made them donate $200 of their own money and by saying SPARC could find a better home for their dog. I have spoken in depth with my friends and informed them that they should get in contact with a lawyer as they never filled out proper paperwork releasing the puppy over to a proper shelter or rescue which means your manager stole an animal from private owners. I find this to be absolutely unacceptable and, for a store that represents the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center, a shocking way to run operations. read more

For a thrift store, 5 star! I always try to find something to purchase here because everything goes towards an animal shelter in Santa Paula. The quality found here is always great. Keep in mind, thrift stores are always a hit and miss. Items are displayed nicely. The prices are reasonable. The store hours are longer than the other thrift stores here on Main Street. The staff is always friendly. They sell furniture, jewelry, housewares, clothes, books, and more. There are no dressing rooms or restrooms here, so plan your visit wisely. Please make a point to stop by here if you are on Main Street in Ventura. read more

The 2016 YELP 500, Review #067: Found a gem of a book in here. "(ISSAC) ASIMOV'S GUIDE TO SHAKESPEARE" for three bucks! Outstanding! Money well spent for a book that will grace my collection for years to come! When it comes to thrift stores I come in for one thing. Books.... mostly Shakespeare and Williams-Sonoma cookbooks (since I now boast over 100 W-S cookbooks in my collection, I keep photos of them in my phone so I do not accidentally purchase ones I already have. The rest of the store looked very well stocked with clothing, furniture and knickknacks. I would have liked to have had the time to see the entire store but, it was closing time. This is why there will be a "next time". read more

Very nice and helpful staff! Clean and arranged nicely. Like the hours also, 7 days a week. Great for people who work. Has lots of odds and ends but treasures, too!!! Prices are are in line for a thrift store. And most of all for me. The proceeds are for the rescued animals, who they they feed, provide medical needs, and try to find their forever homes. Just an amazing store. read more

I love the Sparc thrift store. The idea that you can buy great things and that the money goes to such a fantastic cause makes my heart happy. They have unique items and all the money goes to helping animals. The employees are volunteers and are very friendly and happy to help. Such a blessing for the community. Thank you Sparc! read more

SPARC Second Chance Store - Not the lowest prices but all the money goes to help animals. - Thrift Stores Near Me - Ventura, California

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Whenever I go back to visit family in Oxnard I always love driving through downtown Ventura to see what's new, what's gone & how things have changed & developed. Downtown Ventura several years ago, was an active area with lots of antique shops, thrift stores and restaurants. But a lot of the small boutique antique & thrift stores started to close... Fast forward... Downtown Ventura has come a long way! Today downtown Ventura is thriving with new boutique stores and lots of restaurants and sidewalk cafes. There are a few empty store fronts here & there, but what a difference from years before! The area is such a hub now, that the city even turned the once free street parking into metered parking. Out of all the new stores, SPARC caught our eye! Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (SPARC) Second Chance Store. It's basically a thrift store and all the money goes to help SPARC in their mission to, "...Provide the resources, progressive programs and community education needed to rehabilitate and rehome the abandoned and stray animals of Santa Paula." Seeing that all of our animals are rescues we had to stop by & hopefully find something to buy to support them. They also use the store front as an adoption area. The day we were there they had a few kittens & several puppies. We bought a siberian husky magnet, but we also made another donation. All you animal lovers and rescuers out there, come by and support SPARC's store. This is a great idea that goes to a worth while cause! read more

I like the fact that I can bring my bulldog shopping in here with me! Inventory limited and priced higher than similar thrift stores nearby, but usually higher quality selection. Place is kept clean, organized. One cashier was obnoxiously pushy with me about getting my bulldog spayed instead of breeding her, to the point where I had to tell her to mind her own business in so many words, respectfully of course. The rest of the staff is quite friendly though. I would recommend shopping here, but staying out of political discussions with the staff... LOL read more

I have been shopping and donating to this good cause store for a long time. I have been very satisfied with the staff and the volunteers. They help me unload from my car the items I donate and help me with my purchases. It is such a good cause, animals and former pets can't help themselves, it is the kindness of rescue organizations which save many hopeless and helpless animals. This store enables them to have the funds to do so. I have a rescued dog from their Santa Paula Sparc shelter, she was brought in to their facility as a helpless puppy, I was able to adopt her and now a happy healthy part of my family. We love her so much. I will always support SPARC any way I can and purchasing nice and interesting items from this store is a good way! read more

Cute little shop, with a lot of good items and great prices. Everyone was super friendly and they are there for a good cause. Definitely one of my favorite shops in the area because of their quality and prices. We bought a Mirror and wine rack for only $19 plus that day they had an extra 20% off read more

This is by far one of the nicest thrift shops I've ever encountered!! They're pretty selective on the stuff they sell... sometimes you do get random occasional junk! But the furniture they have are usually really nice ... but way out my budget! I love how they're the few places that's dog friendly!! I've bought a few items here... like a beautiful sweater They have dog treats read more

I love the fact we can donate our items, knowing they will help feed and house stray or unwanted animals. My family consistently donates items to this facility, I personally make sure what we send is saleable as well, hoping nothing goes to waste. Well, the reason I gave 4 stars in review, is, over the weekend we stopped at this thrift store. We've done this many times before. Usually most of the employees or volunteers are decently friendly, as was one gentleman we spoke with this day. We get to the register, there was one available person to ring us up, although we were told we had to wait for the manager. No problem, they were closing, so folks were busy. The manager, a female (older,long gray hair) showed up, rung us up, then proceeded to place a bag on the counter, followed by a receipt set on a pile next to our purchased items. We stood there for a few moments thinking she was going to bag the items, as any good customer service person would. Nope, I saw the receipt, asked if it was ours...she pushed it towards the bag and stated "yeah that's yours", and proceeded to leave it all piled on the counter while looking at us. We had done nothing wrong prior, I guess she was just feeling rude that day, or she didn't like our looks? Not great for a manager. I would suggest, at the very least, smiling as your customers come and go, remembering those same people help the pets you volunteer your time for... read more

Came to Ventura to shop the thrift stores and find some cute antiques. Came here got some cute pendants. Everything was fine until. Before we headed home we had purchased some merchandise at the child abuse thrift store next door and their was a loading spot open and no parking spots opened I told my husband go inside with our son to pick up the merchandise. Now this old lady dark short hair comes yelling at me telling me this is a loading zone , I go to tell her my husband is picking something up from that store and that we be on our way she goes on to talk over me and tell me to move my car I'm sitting in passenger I'm not gona leave I'm waiting for my husband who would be right out .She was not satisfied with that answer since she waiting for a truck delivery well I'm sorry but I was parked their first hasn't been 20 mins (it's a yellow parking spot for loading unloading ) which I'm waiting for my husband to load the merchandise. She goes on to tell me she's gona call parking authority I haven't been parked for more then 5 mins when she comes out. I rolled my window up on her I don't need to argue with rude inconsiderate lady even after I had purchased things from that shop . And YOU KnOW what when we pulled out, that truck driver she was waiting for was no where in sight!!!!!!! Patience and kindness goes a long way !!!! I will NO Longer shop here or recommend this store rude old ladies who don't care if your their customers!!! read more

This place has the high star rating for a reason. It's very clean and it smells good. I've spent many hours browsing their shelves and I've found many a gem there. Love the people here too. Great Main Street location too. read more

Something in every price range. Great place for visitors to grab trinkets for souvenirs.

Yesterday, I found a brand-new, Lands End tank top here. $4. Last week, I snagged a pair of khaki-colored bermuda shorts, with the tags still on. $4. I've found hand-painted, Italian-made pottery, vintage cast-iron pans, and nearly new designer bags. My boyfriend has received so many compliments on the 50s dining set and antique armoire that he bought from here . . . both in incredible condition. I almost hate to give away my secret, but this is NOT your typical thrift shop. It looks more like a boutique, is clean and nicely organized (not cluttered), smells good inside, and is full of items you will covet for your home and closet. Prices a wee bit higher than the other thrifts on Main Street. But the stuff is better and the experience is much more high-end. If you're looking for some junky knick-knacks for 99 cents, you may not find it there. But if you seek a piece of mid-century furniture in pristine condition, here's where to look. Also, and here's what's most important to me. Every penny goes to help the animals at Santa Paula Animal Rescue. The Second Chance Store is giving them another chance at a great life. So donate your (gently used, barely worn, good) stuff here. And then once you've emptied your closet and drawers of stuff you don't want or need, fill them up again with fabulous finds from Second Chance Store. read more

Yep, worth the drive. This place always has cool stuff - and usually doggies for adoption as well! They're bursting at the seams with treasures and it's fun to hunt through everything. Don't forget the front windows, though -sometimes there are little gems out there that get overlooked by passers-by. I love that proceeds go to help the animal rescue, too. If I could buy more stuff there, I would. Always on my Ventura route. read more

Every time I go to Ventura I stopped by to see what they have. The store is well organized and very clean. My daughter and I always find random items here. The prizes are not that bad. Most of their items are in very good condition or new. I love the fact that I my purchases go to a great cause. read more

I love shopping on Main st checking out the variety of antique shops. But, what I love about this shop is what they stand for, all proceeds go towards keeping the Santa Paula, animal shelter open to take in unwanted or abused pets. Stop in the staff is so friendly and on Saturdays they have pets up for adoption in the store. read more

I called them twice today, first asking if they had a piano me and my girlfriend saw last week in the store. A second time asking about the dimensions of the piano so that we could come pick it up today. The website and voice answering machine both said they close at seven. We drove an hour and a half to get there at approx. 6:00 and the man I spoke with on the phone, who failed to inform me they were closing early was locking the door. I told him I have the cash and would just need to wheel it out and it wouldn't take more than 5 mins of his time, and he not only was extremely rude in denying me his business, but then proceeded to lecture me in how I should have made the purchase over the phone. How he got calls from someone (me) that sounded interested in it, but that since that person didn't make plans to pick it up, that he would not help me. I then pleaded him to just let us pick it up letting him know we drove pretty far just to purchase this specific piano, and he showed no compassion. So I suppose a three hour drive for in n out Ventura was the culmination of my Sunday. At least there is Game of Thrones on tonight to help me forget how much time, gas, and emotional energy I just wasted. Make sure you call before shopping at this store and let them know you are going to make a purchase otherwise they might be closing on you just as you arrive. read more