Social Service League Store — Local services in Lawrence

Used to visit this Thrift Store two or more times a week. On my last visit, I asked to see some pottery that was placed very high in the windows of the building. The clerk stated she would only get them down if I was going to buy them. Well, I wasn't going to commit to buying something without seeing it first, or knowing it's cost. No one does. This thrift store gets items by donations..i.e. FREE. They are in business to raise money for those in need in the Lawrence Community (one reason I shopped there) It seems the place is under new management or something, because the prices not only have gone up considerably but I find the new "volunteer clerk" to be rude and very unhelpful. Placing items out of reach does not seem like a productive way to resell items they have gotten through donation. The gentleman that used to work there, evidently doesn't work there anymore. He was extremely helpful and always willing to go out of his way to help. I spent a great sum of money there when he was working. I also noticed on my last visit that they keep certain items behind the counter and only show those items to certain people. I suspect the person I saw on this day was a dealer or collector of some sort, he was allowed to see several items while I was in the store, they were not out for the public to purchase. He left without paying anything for an item which looked like a vintage GI Joe. I think it's a wrong business practice to put items out of reach from the buying public and only allowing certain individuals to purchase items held behind the counter. You are raising money for those in need in the Lawrence Community and only allowing a certain few to buy specific items. It seems to raise the most money would be to allow EVERYONE to see items that are donated, not just collectors or dealers, and to not display items out of the reach of the public, with refusal to show the items unless you commit to buying them. I will think twice about going here again. This "volunteer clerk" obviously is not totally committed to raising money for...

My gal pal came into town and since we both love thrifting we opt for this relatively unknown jewel. It's off the beaten path and you enter through a door in the back off the alley (super cool). The place is beautifully organized and clean. After you enter keep walking back to the end which takes you to another building entirely and has kitchen items, linens, pillows and a children's section. I always start at the back and work my way up front. Trust me, you won't be disappointed by the sheer volume of funky and cool stuff. The middle is filled with paintings and as you enter the front it's all clothes, shoes and more upscale items. The check out desk has beautiful jewelry and I found a gorgeous pair of sterling silver hammered hoop earrings for 18.99 signed by the artist! SCORE! Again, it's off the beaten path but well worth a visit! The employees are very friendly and helpful! Pretty much everything is reasonably priced AND unlike some well known "thrift" stores their CEO isn't paid millions. 'Nuff said. P.s. I bought this Yankee candle brand new, never been lit (until it landed at my house)...

Went while visiting Lawrence. Went into their book room and was told that paperback books were 50 cents. I found a book and went to check out. They tried to charge over $5 for it. When I told them that the lady told me all paperbacks were 50 cents for that day, they pointed to a sticker on the back saying that that wasn't true and that book was "special" and "probably got mixed up with the other books"..? What other books? You advertised to myself and others that ALL paperback books were 50 cents and then apparently there are "special" books that are more expensive? Give me a break.

When I told them I didn't want it for $5, the friendliness was turned off. No apologies for the misinformation I was given, they just stared waiting for me to leave.

The store is super cluttered and not a thrift store, they're a reseller store. It looks like they research the items and price them close to eBay prices. I would never recommend anyone shop from there if you're...