NCJWLA Council Thrift Store

My only complaint is when i went in there with one of my family members and two of the staff members there, the guy with the military buzz cut who just wont shut his mouth. and the older white tall man wouldnt stop stairing, they made her feel so uncomfortable she Wanted to leave from getting creeped out. hispanic kid just wouldnt stop … funny thing is i go in there and still catch him doing to other women shoppers.

This business is a bad neighbor in a busy part of town. It’s absolutely insane that a thrift shop would command a massive parking lot that is usually empty, but strictly enforced against patrons of other businesses that share their building.
It’s a well known fact that the adjacent parking lot is an overcrowded mess. Watching the thrift shop sit with a paid guard lording off of multiple empty rows of parking for customers that will never come is ridiculous.

I’ve seen some negative reviews on here about the staff, so I wanted to share what I saw today. It was a cold day (for SoCal, anyway) and a woman came in and asked politely to speak with the manager. I gathered that she was not well off, maybe homeless (I don’t know), and she apparently asked him for a sweater or other warm clothing. He told her to find something that fit her, and told the cashier to let her take it. I thought that was really nice.

I’ve been shopping here for years. I love the random crystalware you can find. The store is very organized and everyone is always helpful. Tons of items of every kind! For a small store it is very well put together. The store manager was very helpful and kind to when I was looking for something particular, I think his name is Greg, incredibly knowledgeable. I look forward to more great finds here!

Since I first discovered the store on October 21 of last year, I immediately fell in love with this awesome, clean place, but most importantly, the helpful, amazing, and friendly staff (Greg, Pam, Marie, Henry. and others I forgot their name (sorry), but as helpful and friendly!). I have been to countless of Council Thrift stores. and for me, this one is the ABSOLUTE BEST!!! Thank you for making me happy each time I visit your store, guys!

I scored the greatest gem EVER here: an old-​school VISION skateboard, that I paid a mere $ 11 for!
I’ve found designer jeans here for 7 bucks a piece!
Brands I’ve scored include:
— Free People
— Flying Monkey
— Calvin Klein
— BCBG
I also found a FANTASTIC pair of VINTAGE Austrian glasses here (I’m near-​sighted). They have a pretty nice collection of reading glasses, purses/​handbags/​backpacks.
Lots of books on the bookshelf as well. Plenty of shoes and gorgeous BOOTS.
My favorite thrift store, by far!

TINY store, packed full of look-​throughs. I wasn’t super impressed with the inventory, but I did end up purchasing a couple of pieces of pottery. The clerks were super friendly and helpful. This one isn’t on my list for frequenting, but whenever I find myself in that end of the Valley I stop by. Another «You just never know» store.

I want to give the Jewish woman’s thrift counsel the best review, and Greg in particular, for taking my donation before the store even opened. They were most accommodating thank you Lisa Levenstein

Beware Parking here!!! Last time I shop or donate here… They towed my car after they closed… Guess they just started doing that. I was inside the shop which I go to all the time (and they know me)… Walked down to Peets & got something to drink… Walked back to get get my car and it was gone. It’ll take $ 285 to get it back… Thanks NCJW… Would’ve guessed that you would have rather had that money in your store… Supporting your programs… I was sadly wrong.

I scored a few new shirts, a sports jacket and sweet business jacket. This is a little pricier than a goodwill but they some excellent finds.
I would not say it’s a «cool» thrift store, but its a great store.

I have come to LOVE this thrift store! I moved to LA over the summer and have found so many affordable furniture items and clothes (I couldn’t help it — there are some nice clothes!). :)
Some of my treasures:
— A beautiful set of crate & barrel dishes (white with black flower/​mandala designs) in perfect condition
— Small set of white bowls (perfect for ice cream) ;)
— A dresser (not the best… looks homemade so the drawers don’t slide very well, but it was originally posted at $ 60 I believe and when the manager saw me struggling with the drawers he gave it to us for $ 35. We took it… because it’s expensive furnishing an entire apt at the same time.
— A wire basket that i use in the kitchen to hold things
— 2 nice/​cute skirts (brand names and in great condition) for $ 8 each!!! AMAZING
— 2 silk scarves that also sold for the lowest price that the scarves sell for (I think it was $ 5 each).
I will definitely continue to go back. My only complaint is that there is no dressing room, so you have to kind of guess if the clothes will fit. I can’t imagine buying a pair of jeans here.

Giving one star isn’t fun for me, I hate doing it and I don’t do it very often. However, I think it’s warranted here.
I went in to buy some clothes. I did indeed get a good deal, but because the manager thought the deal was good enough, she refused to give the advertised student discount even after determining it was valid. She told me next time I should use it and that I should have showed it to her first.
Two suggestions:
1. Set prices or don’t set prices. But when you determine the price on a case-​by-​case basis, make it somewhat consistent.
2. Honor student discounts or don’t have student discounts. Alternatively, include on the discount notice that student ID cards should be presented first.
The one-​star rating is because I feel shafted by this organization. A business transaction should transact trust, and there was a total loss of trustworthiness here. A business that treats some customers one way, and others another is not worth anyone’s time.

AVOID THIS PLACE! DISRESPECTFUL MANAGEMENT! The workers are just trying to make a few bucks more out of you and make commission off what you buy. I spoke to two different managers about different items and they both treated me very disrespectfully. Money Hungry Avoid!

It’s a cool spot.
So this review will be shorter than most of my reviews since I never really come here to actually shop. This location in my opinion is super convenient to be in and out with dropping off things to donate. It’s not as clean as it could be as far the organization of previous customers’ items goes but the employees are always nice and very helpful. They also have a couple parking spots located literally right at the donation drop off area so you don’t have to park and walk with a ton of bags. They also provide receipts, but they come in the mail weeks later!
I hope this review helps you decide on where to donate your oldies but goodies. :)

We have donated items to this location on a few occasions. In the beginning, we had no issues and received a receipt mailed to us after drop off for value given to the items we donated. We always go through the boxes/​bags with an individual working the drop off. On one occasion we noticed on our received receipt that some of the clothing items we had included, mainly some name brand dress items, were not noted. Perhaps overlooked. Understandable. Accepted.
Most recently, just before Christmas, we had brought in a rather large collection to donate that included four bags of clothing, books — including an entire set of mint condition quality children’s books, CDs, DVDs, and a brand new tablet like e-​reader still in the wrapped packaging. Everything was checked to make sure it would be accepted. The only item they would not take was a TV (still working). Which we happily took to another location right after.
We received our receipt a little over a week later. Amazed to find out that over half the items, including ALL of the electronics type items, were NOT included. No DVDs or CDs were noted, and neither was the e-​reader, which was valued at over $ 300 new.
I wish I could believe that the items were just overlooked, but unfortunately the value collected was too high for me to accept that given the items that were not included in our receipt. Obviously there is an issue with how items are «checked in» even after you go through your items with them before leaving.
We make a strong effort as a family to give away to those in need instead of just trashing items, and preach those morals and values to our children. Needless to say, we will no longer be donating any items to this location or Council Thrift Shops in the future. Our donations will go elsewhere to be provided to people whom the center works to offer a better life for.
If you have items of a higher value you are looking to donate, I would suggest avoiding this location altogether unfortunately.

Omg!!! What lousy customer service!!! You talk and talk and see me waiting to view things inside the glass counter! You don’t even bulge to look at me and ask if I am interested in anything! How terrible! The customers is what keeps you in business, at least be nice. And help!
— no fitting rooms
— over priced clothing which claim to be «designer»
— sticky floors
— dusty book shelf
— rude service
The end.

Look, I am sure this place is one of those hit or miss ventures but this was my first time here and it was a total HIT! I browsed there children’s book section and it was fantastic. I bought 20 books in like new condition (Runny Babbit by Shel Silverstein, an Olivia book, and a slew of other great titles) including 8 board books — a large sized Goodnight Moon, Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See, Where’s Baby’s Belly Button, and Little Blue Truck — for $ 10!!! What an amazing deal. They also had three small like new authentic Coach bags for $ 18 a piece. If I liked the Coach brand I wouldve purchased them. They had a Stokke high chair in red including the infant seat and cloth cover for $ 25. Great deals. Clean store. Staff a little abrupt. To me, in comparison with the rip-​off Goodwills I have been to, this place is as good as it gets!

I’m a bit torn about this place. I go here for hidden treasures for the household and not for clothes. I’ve gotten several items for a steal, but mostly I do agree with other Unilocalers — this place is a bit overpriced and sporadically so. Plus, they often forget to put price tags on the items.
Today I walked up to the counter with two fairly tarnished brass birds (a pair) and asked the price (none was on them). The sweet saleslady went to the back and asked a man (?). She then returned and said they were $ 30 for the pair. The man just looked at them and decided. I decided not to take them. After all, I’d be the one to spend the time to clean them and although they were pretty, I’d seen them in the shop for awhile. So far, no one’s been interested. They will need to bring that price down to $ 20 IMO. But that’s how it goes here when things aren’t marked; they just arbitrarily on the spot decide the price. I don’t like that.
Oh, and don’t get me started on the «art work» — way, way, way overpriced and, again, sporadically. Some print of a painting that you can buy at Ross for $ 19.99 will often be marked $ 50 here.
With all of the above said, I will continue to shop here. I do think the staff is very friendly. Not sure who the rude manager is (maybe she no longer works here?) No one at this shop has ever been rude to me, nor have I witnessed any staff member being rude to another staff member.

This place is a real joke & greedy for a place that is sapose to be acknowledging & helping a cause. Their prices are ridiculous & what they call designer they wouldnt know designer if it wacked them in the head.
HELLOooooooo FYI Forever 21 & H & M are not designers, they put some real designers in the regular clothing section & price it lower that a forever 21/H&M piece DUH! My friend bought a Sweater we sell from Italy for over $ 300+ they had it marked at $ 15 DUH you dummies.
They try to sell 99 cents store chockies for $ 5.00+ … Old gross dirty crock pots/​pans etc for $ 30+ dollars DAMN you can buy new for that price. If you ask them to lower a price of something that has been their for over a month they won’t. Example: my friend wanted a Ralph Lauren skirt that is from the 90’s & missing its drawstring and she knows its been their for a long time, they were asking $ 15.00, she asked can I have for $ 10 and they wouldn’t GISH this is USED items that have been donated to raise money for very sick people wouldnt you think they would take any reasonable offer HELLOOOOooo once again!
I dislike places that price UP because of the area they are in & think just because they are in Studio City they should over price used goods, it sickens me & its dirty handed.
I have been telling all my customers not to shop their or bring them any items for donation. Their are better places that dont make money on donations and that have a real heart for the cause.
Most I have told have realized this and won’t go their again.

Welcome back, my fellow vintage and thrift store aficionados! Or, even those who shun thrift stores, you’re welcome too. When you say «trash», I say treasure. My quest to bring you the best of the best in second-​hand continues with a trip to Council Thrift Shops (under the guise of the Jewish Women’s Council organization).
Located in Studio City, this Council Thrift Shop is mostly suited (as per usual) to the female shopper. Your eyes instantly purge large racks of blouses, dresses, coats, ball gowns, jeans, sweaters, shoes, purses, etc. The men’s section is far less extensive although you will find the same categories as listed above. The quality is high with most of the goods being very clean and in great condition (you won’t find a smelly store and a moth-​bitten shirt, here). This shop also features some furniture, books, housewares, and decorative items.
Advice about the clothing? If you are looking for a modern get-​up, good luck. But, if you are a vintage lover like myself, then feast your eyes on the mecca. Yes, I love vintage stores just as much as the next person, but the best part of thrift stores is finding the ONE pure vintage piece that you didn’t expect. The search is the best part. You can obviously expect vintage at a vintage store (duh) but finding it at a thrift store is like finding a surprise dollar bill in your jean’s pocket. I came across not only vintage heels, leather-​tooled purses, but also a polka-​dot polyester dress from the 70s and a 40s sailor romper (NOT a costume or vintage inspired– I know my fabrics and labels and this was real vintage). My smile was a mile long.
The jewelry selection also featured some fine costume pieces and real cameo necklaces. Sadly, the prices were out of this world. In fact, this seems to be a trend at this shop. Regardless of quality (or not), many of the pieces are priced at new-​store prices. How does that make sense? It’s a thrift store! However, there are also great finds in the store like an amazing brand-​new looking pea coat for $ 15.
Organization also seems to be slightly lacking. I always prefer stores which organize by era (in vintage stores) and by type of clothing and then color (thrift stores). You won’t find any of that here, as the goods are just thrown together by type (no color or size coordination). It is a bit of a mess on the racks.
I wasn’t too particular about service as the manger on duty was yelling every two minutes that they are closing soon and was chomping her gum in my face as I asked to see the jewelry behind the counter. One of the rudest things employees can ever do. I hope you choke on the gum.
Despite any of my complaints, this location is a solid thrift shop I would definitely return to, even just to browse.