The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center — Local services in Grand Rapids

I have always liked this store and some of the 8 others in the district; I have been spending and donating to WM locations for decades, on and off, quite often to this location (also, the main store). I am now wondering where is the food bank that the Holland church claims they have in operation, actually is at this time. Isn't there one here in Grand Rapids, during this Covid-19 pandemic? Is everything going to rehab? Rehab is a GREAT cause but I'd like details before I donate more. I do remember that one of the wasps in charge years ago (a LTC or COL or whoever) allowed an antique collector (name escapes me) to be in charge of antiques / collectibles that were donated to the store. As there are 8 stores in the district and the Division Ave location is where 90% of all store donations are sorted and redistributed BACK out to the 8 stores in West Michigan, the choice of items are decided by whoever is in charge at Division Ave. (not many people know that their donations get sent to GR first and NOT in their communities where they donated to their own city stores - ALWAYS has been how it works). Anyway, said woman (antique / collectibles / jewelry collector herself) FINALLY left, after DECADES of incompetence and questionable practices, we still know little about who is pricing the valuable donations now. Her erratic pricing / "appraising" efforts were sad. I was told that she was fired at least once, for stashing items one year, during the financial crisis (I can't validate this - only heard this through the grapevine). I also did hear such things about her from a now deceased acquaintance and a few others. This wasn't anything I was completely aware of myself, prior to hearing from others. One has to wonder just how much MUCH $$ didn't get into the Salvation Army coffers as a result of those supervisory eyes averted from this particular organization. Still, it happens in all charity stores, some more than others. Not all volunteers are concerned solely with the actual charity. If they were, people would actually see more offerings with intrinsic value, out on the floor. Mostly, it doesn't happen and as a result, people who are aware won't donate better quality goods. EVERY store has at least one antique dealer and/or "appraiser" in the back room where many items don't make it onto the showroom floor. I do believe that this store has had a chance to reform, esp after this woman's final departure. Of course, who will ever know why this went on for SO MANY YEARS. This has ALWAYS been my FAVORITE West Michigan charity and I intend to continue giving. Before, I would only give quality items that I figured would actually go on the shelf. I am glad that she's history but still, would love to know more BEFORE I give more today. I feel that I do have...

This has always been my favorite thrift store to shop at! It was junky & I loved to dig & find great treasures. Was closed for a LONG time… went last week & store is fresh & clean & beautiful. Antiques, collectibles, boutique clothing, household goods, toys & more. Shelves are displayed beautifully & CLOTHING IS NOW SORTED BY SIZE!!!! OMGosh I’ve been complaining about that forever!! So much easier instead of going through ALLLLLLL the colors just to find 1 thing, very time consuming! Thank you for listening to us. Prices were great!! Not crazy like some of the other SA’s, I refuse to shop at them anymore. They told me by the pound will be in the basement in a few weeks….just clothing? no...

Sometimes I find good stuff here, but I hate that they don't put out jigsaw puzzles unless they're still factory-sealed. I was told it's because people complained that puzzles weren't complete. News flash: puzzles at thrift stores might not be complete. Tip: rather than not selling them because of this, why not just put a sign up by the puzzles, or on the boxes, that they aren't tested and aren't guaranteed to be complete? One of the main reasons my son and I like to go to thrift stores is to look for puzzles, so this policy is...