A very unique Durham space for thrifters and crafters. The Scrap exchange is one of the few Durham staples that I really haven't seen anything like it in other cities. It's a very good, very cool store. Its current location which is located in old renovated movie theater offers a wide variety of things from craft supplies of all sorts to thrifting finds. It's a space that feels like a school art room where anything is possible with just a little creativity applied. You never know what you'll find from old magazines to old family photos to empty 35mm film canisters to old laboratory supplies. Their official thrift store is located in eye sight close by to if you want browse those offerings. This place is a true Durham staple since I was a kid and it was located in Northgate Mall and remains a Durham staple now (sigh... - because I'm older now too) many years later. read more

This is a very, very, very cool store. I can understand why I've heard so many awesome things about it. It's actually rather large inside and not exactly what I was expecting. There's so many different sections and they're all arranged very neatly. Creativity just oozes out of this building pores. I didn't buy anything at this time because I was slightly overwhelmed. But now I know where to go when the creative bug bites! There are sections for fabric, for art supplies, for any craft imaginable. I would definitely check this place out if you are sick of Michaels. read more

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Love this place so much. It really is a great resource if you're a local artist! They have everything from buttons, to leather, to scrapbooking supplies. It's a marvel to see it all in person. The staff are always nice and super helpful and the prices are reasonable too. There's also always some cool local art to check out too. read more

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Come prepared to spend some time and not much money. All kinds of crafting/art supplies. Plus stuff like PVC, nuts, bolts, wood, computer stuff. And original art. This was my third trip. Will be back read more

The stock is naturally ever changing so every visit is a treasure hunt. There's ephemera for artist trading cards, yarn for knitting, floss for embroidery, fabric for sewing, etc etc etc. I have found supplies for candle wicking, the first needlework I ever learned. Just taking a stroll through is inspiration. read more

Its a huge warehouse filled with scraps - mostly in 2 rooms. There were yarns and fabrics also. You can find some unique items here digging through bins. Pull up a chair, you'll need one. The reason I only rated it 2 is because they wanted $15 for a used 12x12 pad of paper + $30 for a small stack of papers, 3 stamps and a few charms. I could get much better items and more of them at the Hobby Lobby 40% off sale. The whole thing, including scrap 12x12 pad should have been $12.. They have gone the way of Goodwill w price gouging. If youre extremely selective about what you buy and like digging through trash bins, this might be a stop. If I lived in the area, maybe, but not worth an hours drive imo. read more

I have never been to a thrift store exclusively for crafting materials before, so I was so excited to learn about the Scrap Exchange. They have a huge selection of yarns and fabrics that are well-priced and unique. I will say the massive spools of thinner yarn were much better-priced than the weight 4-6 range, but that is likely just down to supply and demand. I did not buy any yarn on my trip but boy oh boy was I tempted. Everything is sorted by color and I spent wayyy too long picking through the yarn bins. They carry quantities large enough for sweaters and have premium fibers such as wool. They also carry a mishmash of bits and bobs, odds and ends, anything that may find itself in a creative project. I love the community space right at the entrance, and would love to participate in a craft night there. This is an absolute gem located near UNC Chapel Hill, and I will definitely be back! read more

Welcome to a veritable wonderland for crafters and artists. They inspire the imagination. I wanted to crochet a fidget bao or steamed dumpling for my daughter. I found yarn, poly fill and buttons plus 4 stamps and 3 stamp pads and put them in a nice pencil case for the hefty sum of $9. The place is beautifully organized! read more

The Scrap Exchange - Crocheted bao - Art Supplies Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Whenever we are in the area we make sure to stop by. It's a crafter and artist's paradise! The place has a huge variety of supplies that can be used for so many different projects. I am sure to peak at the fabric to find some special prints I'd likely not find other places. I also snag some zippers since they are so much cheaper than buying new. I could spend hours going through this store and looking at all the fun items that could be used for different projects. Staff are nice and laid back as well. read more

I LOVE Scrap exchange it's my favorite place to go to kill time and hunt for treasures and crafting supplies. They have the weirdest and most unique items there and I love it, that's what gives the place its charm. Everything his extremely affordable and I've gotten a lot of cool and witty t-shirts from there that I wear quite often. The staff are very friendly and while they tend to rush around and leave the check-out desk empty they are quick to rush over and take your payments. It's an amazing place to explore weekly as they are always cycling out items and clothing. 100% recommend this place if you pride yourself in being a thrifty and crafty person! read more

The Scrap Exchange - Some cute critters I got for 1$/50¢!! - Art Supplies Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I absolutely love this place!!! I could literally stay here al day long. They have the coolest stuff here from fabric, supplies, crafts, apparel, any and everything you could think of. My favorite bin is the leather scrap pieces. I found some amazing pieces and it's .25 cents a oz. I can't wait until Saturdays so I can get my weekly fix. I always find some amazing gems read more

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Excellent thrift store. As usual with thrift stores the men's clothing didn't really stick out to me. However, my girl friend had fun looking at clothes for herself. She came out with some pretty vintage clothing. I wasn't looking for anything specific but the store is actually pretty well organized. I came out with full set of Harry Potter movie series and a Google nest mini- that I use all the time. read more

The Scrap Exchange - An art exhibit displayed at The Scrape Exchange. - Art Supplies Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This place is what helped me feel at home when we moved here from "Up North" (Ohio, in my case) a long time ago! A wonderful idea, community, haven, and experience, whether you live here or are just visiting. Love, love, love the Scrap Exchange! read more

It is hard to describe the Scrap Exchange. Part Army Surplus Part wayward home for unloved craft supplies Part Salvage reclaim part rabbit warren Certainly a mash-up. Go wearing jeans Leave feeling dusty but satisfied Leaving with everything from craft supplies, bits of old wood or vintage finds like balsa wood airplane kit or luggage. It is easy to spend a whole day combing though stuff. Inviting you to find a creative and innovative use for thousands of orange lids. (Fish scales perhaps)? Someone has done the hoarding so you don't have to. Scrap Exchange excels at keeping stuff out of landfills and is an upcyclers dream. read more

I stopped in here with a friend and even though I knew going in that this was an unusal type of spot, I was still somehow expecting the state of the shelves to be a little better. There is so much stuff here that frankly should go in the trash but I guess they're hoping that someone can save this stuff from the landfill. The space had a lot of items that looked used or in poor condition. I do think if you're exceptionally creative and thrifty and working on a very random craft project, this spot may work for you. I may have been better off going with a very specific vision than just browsing. read more

The Scrap Exchange - Art Supplies Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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This is such a cool business! You can find so much that you could use for crafting and creating. I went in with the intention of finding some old magazines for collages. I ended up leaving with a bunch of stuff to make homemade greeting cards! I got some magazines, scrapbook paper, stickers, cardstock, envelopes, and more. And I spent $9! They weigh paper by the pound so when you're just experimenting with a new hobby, like I was, you don't have to buy much. You can wander for hours. This is also a great place to bring friends from out of town, as well as teacher friends- they can find so much to use in the classroom! I'm excited for the thrift expansion that is happening, and also excited that the Scrap Exchange we know and love will be sticking around the Lakewood Plaza. read more

This is so far the coolest find since moving to NC from CA. If you like thrifting and arts/crafts, this place is a must! I thought it was going to be a small store with only a limited selection of fabrics and small scraps, but it's pretty big and they literally have everything! Office supplies, stamps, bike helmets, wood, leather scraps, etc. The location is also pretty hidden, I would have never found this place on my own had my friend not told me about it. I can't wait to go back to get more stuff! read more

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A modern day Emmett Till is how I was treated at the Scrap Exchange back in 2021.i was wrongfully banned at the store, Laura the former Executive Director. She said in an email to me something happened with a customer where I harrassed and was being aggressive with a customer. A caucasian customer lied by going to Wendy a then manager at the time and told her she felt threatened, this because she felt that I was being shown favoritism by another employee and she didn't like it.Wendy and others within the Scrap Exchange knew they didn't have just cause to remove me because I had always been respectful to both customers and employees until another customer who is an african american came in upset because she to felt I was treated favorably by an employee. The african american customer goes off on both myself and the employee and I along with the other african american customer was banned for a yr. After said yr they let her back into the store but continued to lie on me Heather, current director specifically saying I was still visiting the store harrasing and and having disputes with with employees during my time of the unjust 1 yr ban..I NEVER came back to that store.i tried having THE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT SERVICES investige their claims and the Scrap Exchange could not show that I ever did anything wrong via video footage. Could not show I harrassed anyone or that I came back.They completely dismissed my claim after holding it for over 2 yrs and siding with the Scrap Exchange who obviously was not going to acknowledge how wrong they did me,Neighborhood Improvement Services took a couple of employees word as being credible.Shame on them as well and i met with them to let them know how disappointed i am.It is so very wrong that in this day and time a black person can be accused of something without a company having to prove anything. Clear DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER! Just throw around a person of color being aggressive and there you have your case without evidence.If I ever did anything wrong why didn't Laura meet with the NAACP Durham chapter president, Rev Rachel Green at the time she call.She declined to meet.My daughter went in asking what is it that I did in the calmest manner to Brittany and she cried wolf yelling Carol Paytons daughter is here..like my daughter was threatening her.The nerve and to further say she should have her banned to. Now my daughters ability to go to the store and shop in peace is threatened. This is sickening because if they can do this ti me without any evidence,they can do it to anyone walking into that store and YES I AM CALLING ALL OF YOU OUT BY NAME HEATHER,BRITTANY,WENDY,AND LAURA..SHAME ON YOU ALL. AND FOR THE MANY TIMES I TRIED REACHING OUT TO THE OWNER.To place a lifetime ban on me without cause. Happy Black History month it will never change read more

I'm cut from a different cloth. I have enormous self confidence and I'm a strong personality. I'm also kind, respectful and decent. I don't steal. That SIAD, I haven't conformed to what people think is the standard. I dress differently. What the problem is is that most people are intimidated by my style and don't like it. In that store, I've been followed, asked to leave and more than once. I've had a few hundred dollars worth in my carriage to buy and was told to leave. I'm looked at different and they ignored me when I got home to call to complain. Idc what they have. Unless your not one of them, you will be uncomfortable. Fact. If they we're giving stuff away, I wouldn't take it. I suggest going out of Durham to someplace decent. read more

Great place to find usual thrift store goods as well as crafter and oddball supplies. Quirky and fun atmosphere!

I love these sorts of places! It's hit or miss weather you'll find anything good or not but the hunt is always fun. Lots to look at and browse through. I never leave without anything. read more

It's great if you know what you're looking for otherwise probably not worth the time.

So many wonderful things to buy- as a preschool teacher, I can always a ton of items to use for upcoming crafts and projects... also great doors and table ! read more

I visited the art thrift store and the regular thrift store. Both are absolutely great - and I hope I can visit again, or better yet, I hope they will install one (or one just like it) in Raleigh! Great store hours, amazing book area, so many unique items in both stores too! I didn't find any plus size clothing, that would be my only possible suggestion for the regular thrift side store. read more

Excellent spot for a treasure trove of various crafts and projects. You never know what you'll find! Sometimes they may bot have what you're looking for, but that's to be expected; thrifting isn't ever a guarantee. However, you'll likely have a fun time hunting, regardless! read more

This is just a fun random place to browse. They accept donations of industrial scraps and other materials, and you can use them to make crafts or assemble random knick knacks. They are a nonprofit and also seem to have spaces for events like kids parties and perhaps classes. You can either go looking for specific scraps or just browse. You just never know what you're gonna find (hey look, a whole bin or old plastic film cannisters!). They also have events like Smashfest where you pay for items and then get to throw them at a wall -- gets out your aggression and raises funds for them. Glad that Durham has an odd little place like this. read more

Big thrift store, that I wish I'd had time to explore. I had to drop off some of mom's stuff after a move, and they have a spot to pull in out front. Very friendly and helpful staff. Easy access. Mom and her friends spoke highly of this place, both donating and buying stuff from here. It's local, not Goodwill or Salvation Army, and they are doing a great job. read more

No, last visit (April '23) was very slim pickings. Prices are great but options were few.

Going here made me really nostalgic. They had so many things that I remember being present in my life which have all but disappeared. But it also reminded me of the ways I watched my grandmother reuse things. Before goods were cheap and it was trendy most families reused things. But that's another story. Scrap exchange is the ultimate thrift/reuse store combo. Not very pricey, but it could be addictive. They have artwork, fabric, electronics. We made the trip because my son needed fabric for cloth napkins for school and his friend wanted to make a robot. We saw fashion students there and people trying to furnish an apartment. What retail store could accommodate all those kinds of needs in one. I am excited to see how they continue to expand. read more

I'd been told about The Scrap Exchange ever since I first moved to NC in 2014. I finally visited in 2017. (What can I say; I'm sometimes a bit slow to adopt.) Now that I've been several times, I can say with certainty that TSE is a veritable creative oasis. You can be into any kind of art -sewing, mixed media, metal work, wood work, you name it- and you'll find items to further those pursuits. And the best part is they're way cheaper than retail. You have the satisfaction of reusing/repurposing/recycling at a much lower cost. If you're also just looking for random items at a lower cost, then that's also a good bet. I've gotten small tables, crates, glassware and so on for low cost but high quality. The staff is always helpful and full of great info. My visits to TSE really soothe my soul and help me feel creative. Plus, I enjoy supporting a non-profit that's improving the neighborhood without driving out the local inhabitants. TSE is doing great work. Check them out! read more

I just found this place and loved it! I think you can find just about anything here. If you like to dig around for the odd and unusual, you will have some fun here. I don't even know how long I was wandering around, this place is pretty big! Tools, electronics, books, sewing material, craft materials, jewelry, toys, glassware.... I found quite a few treasures and spent under $20. The staff was super friendly, they accept donations and even have a craft room where kids and adults can sit down and make crafts. Neat place that seems to do a lot for the community. read more

This place was INSANE. There are so many bits and bobs sure to excite your imagination. The scrap exchange spans into multiple well organized rooms of resale craft supplies. I spent two hours exploring each section wishing I could bring a bag full of things with me back to Detroit, but of course an extra checked bag is an arm and a leg. They have a gallery installation in the back with a totally relevant collection of up cycled commercial fabric and weavings. Incredible work to say the least. Enjoy!! read more

I can't believe I hadn't visited The Scrap Exchange after hearing about it consistently for the past three years! I was a little hesitant after hearing about their most recent move into the Lakewood plaza, I used to live a couple miles from there and would occasionally swing by the Food Lion when in dire need and let me tell you, it's sketchy [just not a place I felt safe as a young, white, female]. However, if you can overlook that and see the good in what The Scrap Exchange is doing, you will be pleasantly surprised. Going to the Scrap Exchange challenges me to do more projects with used materials. My sister has gone there many a times to pick up salvaged wood for various projects. I am not usually a "do-it-yourself" type person, but I think if you have something in mind prior to visiting, this is a great place to pick up project items for a much cheaper price. Personally, the store can be a little overwhelming if you're going there looking to be inspired. There are just SO many products and things, things you never would've thought to recycle. However, if you can hone back on the sheer magnitude of the store, and have an idea of what you want before you arrive, there's a good chance you're going to be pleasantly pleased. Unlike most thrift stores, the Scrap Exchange recycles more stuff: office supplies, paper, ribbons, yarn, phone, children's toys, cardboard boxes and metal tins, scrap wood, etc. They have a whole area of unused greeting cards, scrapbook supplies, board games and some ceramics and jewelry. They DON'T have clothing and not a lot of furniture or household products. They have one area where you can fill a bag (three sizes priced $5-$15/bag) with anything from about twenty large blue bins. These bins have everything from bottle caps to pieces of unfinished knitting or croquette work to old race medals to fabric scraps. The Scrap Exchange also offers a "members" program (I THINK it's $45/person or $30 if you're a student, teacher, clergy, etc.) They offer discounts and special shopping events to members. The Scrap Exchange also offers classes for adults and kids! I haven't been yet, but it's definitely on my child-friendly list! read more

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I visited the scrap today. No words describe my disappointment with the "new" Make-N-Take location. The Make-N-Take was set in a well-fitted place and now moved into a crappy size. The Make-N-Take went from neat to a disaster. Who decided this? Because it wasn't for the best. I had planned to have my daughter's 10th birthday party here, but after seeing the move, I am going to have to reconsider big time, unlike the Make-N-Take location. read more

I visited the Scrap Exchange yesterday for my birthday and I'm sad to say it but... The Scrap is now Crap! I used to go and fill two shopping carts full with stuff. If you're a science nerd, you will be very disappointed. They went from literally hundreds of different chemistry labware items to a total of eight. The overall variety of neat stuff, is sadly, a bygone era. Also, on top of the widespread letdown of all that is Scrap, the employees just don't seem to give a crap about the store. I felt bad even buying the two items I got because I knew it would be used to pay said employees. That's a long way to go considering the Scrap Exchange was my all time favorite store on the planet. read more

Great place to wander around & find cool treasures. Definitely stop in & see what great things you will find

I'm so disappointed in the Scrap Exchange. They used to be fun and quirky and understood what they were selling which was donated odds and ends. They have obviously grown too quickly and the new thrift store STAFF ARE NOT NICE. I went to drop off a car full of items on Sunday in the pouring rain and apparently missed the sign that said do not enter. Donors be warned. If you pull in the wrong way you will first be asked to turn around before they will except any of your items. And no I am not kidding. They are obviously much more interested in their traffic policy then to bend the rules or to give a little grace for someone who has missed the sign in the pouring down rain. But they have no problem asking you to round up your transaction for a cash donation. Good bye Scrap Exchange. It was fun while it lasted. I will donate and spend by money elsewhere. read more

I've always loved the scrap exchange! I learned about that almost a decade ago and they were our go-to for cheap supplies for events. They've moved to a larger place since I left Durham and returned and it's more organized than it used to be and has waaaaay more stuff. I dropped by for some yarn recently and was happy that it was easy to find and nearly sorted into colors. They tend to only have a single skein of each type of yarn, so it's not great for large uniform projects but good for smaller things. I found some great wool and alpaca yarns that were a steal! They have a large supply of knitting needles and a very small supply of crochet needles. Staff was nice and friendly! I asked for help looking for an item and they were able to point me straight to it. I'm not sure how often they get new inventory but I'll have to make it my go-to for yarn! read more

The scrap exchange is usually a hit or miss with clothes or any Knick knacks. It's a great place for books though.

This is a very cool store. Lots to discover and get your creative juices flowing. There are also thrift items such as appliances and technical equipment. I recommend following their Facebook page because they regularly get new things in and post on there. Overall this is a fun place to go but some downsides are it can be very crowded and is sometimes impossible to navigate with a cart (take a reusable bag to stick your stuff in when you're shopping) and some things are surprisingly expensive (especially when they're selling by weight - there doesn't seem to be a way to weigh in advance of checking out.) This is a place that is good to be mentally prepared for - it can be overwhelming! read more