Second Impressions — Attraction in Lake Forest

Hidden Treasure in Lake Forest! I’ve taken way too long to write this review and I will make up for it now. I have been a thrift shop shopper for a very long time and when you find a store like 2nd Impressions where the attention to detail, incredibly helpful & kind staff (many are volunteers!) cleanliness, amazing merchandise you just got to shout it out to others! The owners put so much heart into everything they do to keep this great resale/boutique/thrift shop going. This isn’t an easy business to keep running but they find ways; currently they have their $2 (yes, I said $2 !!!) bin sale going on this weekend and it never seizes to amaze me that I find great pieces all the time. Next they hold a Holiday Boutique and you would think you are in the fanciest highend Holiday shop (by the way it’s next weekend Nov 1&2) I started with “Hidden Treasure in Lake Forest” it can be a bit hard to find as it is in a strip mall in the far back (behind Avila’s Mexican restaurant at Ridge Route & Muirlands) but oh so worth it!! Run don’t walk to this amazing gem of a resale shop. I forgot to mention if you are looking for something special for an occasion all you have to do is ask Carrie, owner , or her staff and they will not quit showing you possibilities! They have mad skills when putting together outfits too. Come find this Lake Forest hidden gem that shouldn’t be hidden anymore. Just don’t buy all the good stuff leave...

Overpriced junk. I am not sure what people are loving about this store. I don't understand the good ratings.

The clothes were not really in good shape, limited selection, and the prices are not thrift store prices. You can find brand new clothes in ROSS, Burlington, Walmart, and Target for the same price in the clearance section (and cheaper).

I am not really into thrifting, my daughter and friends recently convinced me to give it a try. The only two times I've been in a thrift store was in Gig Harbor, WA a few years back and the experience was exceptional. Almost everything in the store was in like new condition and many items were brand new. There were brand names items (some still with tags) for $.50 to $2-3 a piece. This was not my experience in this store. The clothes and shoes were not only old (and obviously worn) but some had holes and tears. Prices were not good either. Maybe this is Orange County's idea of thrifting. Maybe they don't know better. I am not sure.

I really don't get the high ratings. Giving the second star because the store was clean and the two ladies were nice.

No, thank you. I will...

Do not go to this place!! My parents went to shop their $5 sale at the boutique that’s part of Second Impressions and the cashier forgot to remove the security tag. They didn’t notice this until a couple days later, when my dad went to get this security tag removed off this $5 SHIRT! The woman helping my dad made him feel like he had shoplifted!!! This is absolutely ridiculous!!!! They treated him like a criminal all because THEY forgot to remove the stupid security tag! They actually had him waiting there checking SECURITY FOOTAGE to make sure they actually paid the entire $5 for this stupid piece of clothing! Once they saw he was saying the truth they removed it but not before the woman humiliated him and treated him like absolute garbage! I always shopped here and told all my friends about how amazing this place was… until now. They may not care because clearly this is acceptable behavior for them but this is such disgusting behavior for people who claim to help others and be Christian. I’m appalled and furious that this happened! Please do not support businesses who treat others in such...