Grace Thrift Store

An odd, cramped shop with things that should have been discarded months (if not years) ago. It had a feeling of a "hangout" for folks that worked there and/or their friends and not very welcoming to others. I didn't find anything I wanted inside but saw a piece of furniture in the lot out front. When I asked they told me it was sold and shouldn't have been out there. Strange. Needless to say I haven't been back and instead spent my time in other thrift stores that have shown more professionalism.

Grace Thrift Store is a little gem in this SE Albuquerque neighborhood. It is located in an area that needs quite a bit of help - be it used clothing, food banks, safety needs for the people that reside in SE Abq. This store thrives by helping others, including their ministry, giving out clothes to homeless people and making the world more green by recycling used items to sell back to the public. The ministry feeds the hungry out of the same site. What differentiates this thrift store from others, I feel, is the sense of purpose and pride that the management invests into the store and into revitalizing the neighborhood. Nobody needing a new pair of socks is ever turned away. I was recently there and a lady stated that her shoes were stolen, so she was given a free pair. This neighborhood needs more of this. I can see why it is called Grace House Thrift.The coolest thing is if you bring a child or two or three in, they each get to pick out and keep two books from the back! They have a great selection of children's books, and this is so important for kids in this day of television and video games.There are many options to choose from, when shopping at this store. The best thing to do is to head a bee line straight for the little glass case in the back. It houses the best of the store, the boutique items. There are designer jeans for men, nice jackets, neat trinkets and cute purses. In addition, there are many unique items that are fun to look at. There is also a glass case behind the register that has all of the collector baseball cards and stuff like that. The front of the house is where they sell clothing. There is usually a sale going on, where you can stuff a plastic bag full of clothes and it is $5 per bag, buy two and you get the third free. There are pants, jeans, shirts in many colors and sizes. The men's department is not that extensive though, the women's area has the most. There is a side rack by the door when you walk in that has the better label clothes. I believe those are $3 each. In addition they get in some cute shoes, boots and purses that they display in a wooden cabinet. I have seen Nine West shoes, cute cowboy boots and Coach/Sak bags recently. You can hunt for a little bargain.The back of the house is where you find paperbacks, toys, CD's, tapes and yes records. It is a relatively small operation back there, but inventory is constantly changing. I saw a 1960's style bread box recently - looked stainless steel. It was very cool, I almost bought it.The highlight of the place is the baby section. It is constantly getting items for newborns, infants and toddlers - clothes, toys, blankets, baby food, car seats and the like. People really love that area. Why by new when there is already so much out there to be reused? Grandmothers, new mothers and many others come just for the baby section. You can stuff a bag for the same prices as above. THAT IS A LOT OF BABY for a LITTLE PRICE!Drop by and say hi to Pastor Patty at Grace House. Buy something or donate something and you will feel so good.