Castaways Thrift Shop — Local services in Rockport

CASTAWAYS RETAIL STORE???? SUPPORTING/GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY???? PEOPLE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND VISITORS ALIKE, CASTAWAYS IS A GREAT STORE TO VISIT IF YOU WANT TO BE TREATED LIKE A CRIMINAL FROM THE TIME YOU WALK IN THE DOOR TO THE TIME YOU LEAVE( IF YOUR NOT KICKED OUT FIRST)... SO WHEN YOU ENTER MAKE SURE AND SAY HELLO TO THE ARMED POLICE OFFICER STARING AT YOU LIKE HE WOULD LOVE TO THROW YOU TO THE GROUND AND CUFF YOU AND THEN TASE YOU AND THEN THROW IN A COUPLE GOOD PUNCHES FOR GOOD MEASURE....(BY THE WAY WHO PAYS THIS LOVELY CHARACHTER???? DOES CASTAWAYS PAY HIM WITH PROCEEDS FROM DONATED GOODS FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT ALL THESE AND I QUOTE " STUPID CRIMINALS" STEALING DONATED ITEMS AND MESSING UP SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ELSE , OR IS HE BEING PAID BY THE ROCKPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH GOVERNMENT FUNDS, FINES FROM TRAFFIC TICKETS AND CRIMINAL CASES/RESTITUTION, OR OUR TAXPAYER MONEY FROM THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY?????????? WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH HE GETS PAID FOR GUARDING THIS GREAT CHARITABLE THRIFT STORE INSTEAD OF DOING WHAT OUR POLICE OFFICERS ARE HIRED TO DO....THINGS LIKE ,WORKING ON PATROL AND GETTING ALL THESE "STUPID CRIMINALS " OFF THE STREETS.....)YOU KNOW ROCKPORT IS FULL OF THIEVES THAT ARE COMING UP WITH NEW WAYS TO STEAL FROM THIS GREAT CHARITABLE BUSINESS (THAT TREATS THERE CUSTOMERS SO KINDLY AND RESPECTFUL AND THANKFUL) EVERYDAY....USING NEW TRICKS AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY'RE GOING TO STEAL SOME DONATED SOCKS AND UDERWEAR FROM THIS GEM OF A STORE.... THEN WHEN YOU MAKE IT PAST THAT WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE BE PREPARED TO BE INSULTED, EMBARRASSED, FOLLOWED, AND HAWK-EYED FOR YOUR SHOPPING PLEASURE...THEN WAIT TIL YOU GET TO THE REGISTER AND GET TOLD TO START TAKING ALL THE HANGERS OFF YOUR ITEMS AS IF YOU ARE A VOLUNTEER WORKER AND ARE GOING TO BE FIRED IF YOU DONT DO WHAT YOUR TOLD....THEN YOU CANT EVEN MAKE A STATEMENT OR GET ANY ATTITUDE (BECAUSE DONT FORGET OUR LOVELY CITY POLICE OFFICER THAT CANT WAIT TO CATCH ONE OF THESE " STUPID CRIMINALS/THIEVES SO HE CAN MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF THEM...THEN BE PREPARED FOR THE FULL CAVITY SEARCH BEFORE YOU EXIT THE BUILDING....( TO MAKE SURE YOU DIDN'T GET ONE OVER ON THEM...) OUR LOVELY POLICE OFFICER SHOULD BE ARRESTING THE EMPLOYEES/AND OR OWNERS FOR HARRASMENT AND PRACTICALLY MAKING THREATS , PRICE GOUGING, AND THIEVERY BECAUSE IF ANYBODY IS THIEFS ITS THEM FOR THEIR HIGH PRICES FOR PRODUCTS THAT ARE GIVING TO THEM SO THEY CAN HELP THOSE THAT ARE LESS FORTUNATE AND SUPPORT THE CITY FULL OF THIEVES...... ENJOY YOUR VISIT AND I DARE YOU TO EVEN TRY AND TAKE A PURSE IN WITH YOU... DOUBLE DARE...

Arrived at Castaways early Morning on July 2025. Our favorite place to look for great deals at at a reasonable cost for a worthy cause. The only complaint I have, as a Veteran, is the display of the U.S. Flag. The American Flag is displayed above and to the right of the Bathroom. Personally, I would consider that display to dishonor the flag and what it stands for. Perhaps the person who was told to put it up did not take into account what was underneath the Flag, an honest mistake! I would hope that the Manager of Castaways would look into this matter and place the flag in a place showing Dignity and respect. Signed a Veteran!

U.S. Flag Display

“Whether it is considered proper to staple the U.S. flag to an inside wall can be a matter of interpretation and opinion regarding the US Flag Code. While the flag code doesn't explicitly prohibit stapling, it does state that the flag should "never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way". Stapling could be interpreted as a method that could potentially damage the flag. The United States Flag Code suggests that the flag should be displayed flat against a wall, or suspended so its folds hang freely. This encourages respectful and dignified display of the flag. Ultimately, while stapling may not be a direct violation of any specific rule within the Flag Code, it is generally considered respectful to display the flag in a way that minimizes the potential for damage and allows it to be presented in its best condition. In addition, it's important to remember that violating the Flag Code, while generally considered disrespectful, doesn't carry legal penalties because it's viewed as a set of guidelines and customs, rather than a binding law that can...

I hate to write this review because Castaways has long been the gold standard of thrift stores in my mind. We visit family from out of town and always stop here a few times while we are here. We have family who volunteer at the store and I know how hard they work and how dedicated they are. The prices range from reasonable to expensive, everything is well organized, and I always find something I need to take home and used to always feel good about giving my money to a good cause.

Now though, I feel like I can’t shop here. Recently the churches that shared in the running of the shop made a move and kicked out the “Shop”. For those who don’t know, the Shop were the portion of the store who gave donations to the community. I can only think that the move was based on money and greed. The “Shop” has opened another store in town to try to continue their mission to give back to the community. When you visit Castaways these days there are signs all over that say they are not affiliated with the Shop, or any other thrift in town. I find this whole thing distasteful. I am horrified that they decided to take something that was so wholesome and pure and for the good of the community and turn it into something that feels dirty and corrupt. I can’t even step foot in that place now without feeling sad.

Just my two cents on the situation over there. What used to be so fun for me and was a priority for our annual visits has become riddled in politics and ties my stomach up in knots. I can’t enjoy going in...