Urban Ore

Been to many places like this around the country, I appreciate the assortment here the most. Not strictly a building material supply store, not strictly a thrift store, it’s everything in between. Lightbulbs, sinks, motors, fans, cords, wire, clothes, wrenches, serving spoons, everything. Prices could be lower but they’re at a reasonable level for sure

This place has it all!! It's a mix of an awesome curated thrift store, building materials, furniture, clothes, electronics, sporting goods, I could go on and I could spend all day in here indulging in my hobbies and collections. I found some great camera gear and reasonably priced electronics. The staff are busy and hard to pin down, but they will take time to show you things if you are polite.

Sometimes I find some of their stuff to be way overpriced and sometimes I find their prices to be extremely fair… But more importantly, I find urban or to be a great resource for projects and things that are needed when you don’t wanna buy something new. And also don’t want to send your money to some huge Here are for the most part, friendly and knowledgeable. For a salvage yard it is also clean and orderly. It’s not like a trash yard exploded And it’s the apocalypse and you’re trying to find whatever you can wherever. Cabinets fixtures, suitcases chairs windows are all set out in different areas so you don’t have to go every place to find this stuff. I had a bad experience with urban or several years ago and I’m glad to say that was the only bad experience I have in memory. Recently urban or sold me a piece of lumber for less than they were supposed to have, but they stood by the price, and I really appreciated that and respected the fact that they were standing by what they said. That was different from what happened to me years ago. Thank you and I will continue to visit at least once every 3 to 5 weeks… Or as completed projects allow me to, if not sooner!

Great place for surplus second- hand items. so many treasures. they have an expanded thrift store and also building materials. a fun place to browse and shop. you can find supplies, surprises and things you have no idea how or what they were ever used for. prices are fair. large one of a kind vintage items go for a lot. many low cost items are available for purchase as well. they accept items as donations at a separate back entrance. I could spend hours and hours there.

I have always raved about this place to everyone but after my last experience i will be doing the opposite and referring them elsewhere. I had to replace a window in my garage and had a budget to work with and I told the gentleman working there and gave him the measurements. So of course the one he found was the exact amount as my budget which was 150. I brought the window home and it was too big. I went to return it knowing I had the reciept and everything would be fine even if I had to just swap it out. I was told that I could not return or exchange I could donate and get a slight discount off another one. He stated that I should have looked at the receipt so if you go there stand in line and hold everyone up so you can read your receipt because even though they are a charity organization they have no empathy for people. Horrible way to treat people

Huge inventory! Ok prices. Lots of treasures to find here!

I heard Tesla is having a sale too after the recent pickets. It’s 2025, treat your workers better. I’ve been a loyal customer for decades but am very disappointed with how downhill this business has gone. Trying to lure customers to cross a picket line with a sale and huge signage is a new low for Bay Area businesses. Such a bad look

So much stuff, so little time! A great place for a treasure hunt, keep your eyes and mind open, and you're sure to find a bargain. I really don't get the negative reviews, I've been going for nearly 15 years on and off and never had a bad experience. Saw a few things overpriced, a little mess and disorder here and there, but what else would you expect, it's all in the name, "urban ore" not "urban refinery"! Found some great drawer pulls, and have also bought furniture and outdoor goods in the past. A great way to furnish or refurbish on a budget in a way that's healthy for the planet and the pocketbook, what more could you ask for?

Urban Ore is a great place to find items you may need in order to complete a house or apartment. They have a lot of items to choose from but what I've noticed is most tend to go here for tables, dressers, chairs and construction related items. I ended up getting a chair, a night stand and dresser the last time I came here but was accompanying a friend this occurrence who was in search for a table. I wound up realizing they had plenty of Oakland A's memorabilia on display which turned into a fun scavenger hunt for me being a lifelong diehard fan. While I didn't end up buying anything, I had a blast, searching for all of the A's items on display and appreciated seeing who I believe is the owner sharing a photo of the late great Rickey Henderson visiting here before he passed away last year. The only thing to look out for this parking can sometimes be complicated, and more than a lot of the items that peak your interest you're going to pass on due to prices being on the higher end. 4/5.

Stepping into this place feels like entering a time capsule packed with personality. If you're someone who thrives on digging for hidden gems, this is your playground. From vintage furniture to quirky lighting and stunning salvaged doors, it's a dream spot for anyone looking to spice up a renovation with flair that screams "not from a big-box store." Thankfully, they've got a clean restroom and a fitting room (major win, especially since many thrift spots skip those perks).

Urban Ore is a super interesting and eclectic thrift warehouse. It's huge and packed with a little bit of everything. You can find items for a bathroom or kitchen remodel, medical supplies, old baseball cards, musical instruments, and even canoes and grills. There's a bike section, an audio and electronics section, and a big collection of vinyl records and VHS tapes. They even had an arcade cabinet when I visited. The place feels like a thrift store dream. It's decently organized considering the size, but if you're looking for something specific, expect to do a bit of digging. Some items feel more like junk, but one person's trash might be someone else's treasure. Prices vary. Some things are a great deal, especially in the remodeling section if you're willing to search. Others feel a little high, especially for appliances, but overall it's still cheaper than buying new. There's also a good-sized parking lot right in front, which makes visiting a lot easier. I didn't buy anything this time around, but I had fun exploring and I'll definitely be back.

This place is super cool. Any home project can definitely be started from here. They have doors, shutters, tubs, tables, toilets, like literally sooooo much. Super fun day just looking around. They've got a cool stash of records. So much to find here and the employees are super helpful and kind.

I was told about this place and decided to come check them out. If you are into collecting, looking to do projects, working on the house or just looking for more stuff to add to your stuff. This is the spot for you.

All these years, I didn't know this place was here. The prices were a slighter higher than I'm used to, but then again, they gotta pay rent and employees. I usually don't buy vintage because I watched too much ghostwhisper lol.. Overall, a cool place to check out.

The staff here are really nice and helpful. I didn't need anything but I've seen them help others that have questions and they guide them to where to possible find things. The place is organized by categories and you can find things pretty much where they say it is. You do have to dig but that is part of places like this especially if you are looking for something specific.

Simply the best. I go there every chance I can. Every time its an adventure. The last time i was there I bought a Pottery Barn dining table. THe bummer is that things dont last long there. If you hesitate someone else wont. Well worth the drive out to Berkeley

Interesting place with lots of hidden vintage treasures. You have to dig a bit, but that's part of the fun.

Smells bad, and lots of garbage/poor quality stuff but also a lot of gems especially in furniture

Definitely a thrifters heaven. Drove an hour to this store and was not disappointed. Will definitely be back to buy more. They have EVERYTHING here.

Wonderland for finding random parts and things from your childhood. Super-8 projector - they had one. Random bike parts - there's a huge collection. Old door knobs and hinges to match the ones in your old house - they have them. A treasure trove.

This is a great place to find all sorts of stuff at a good discount. Need a new window? Need a toilet, some random fixture? They have a huge selection of all sorts of things you could need for your DIY projects, a window or door replacement, furniture, etc. It feels like treasure hunting to me as they have a huge selection of things and every day new items are coming in. I have bought a wide range of things here such as windows, doors, fixtures, random parts for a kitchen cabinet, old movies, books, suitcases, furniture, office equipment, etc. They have a good sized parking lot but it does get busy on the weekends so you may need to wait or park on the street nearby. Fun place to explore and definitely worth a visit if you enjoy thrift shops and used items.

I was lured here by an Instagram post by influencer(and my former student/mentee) Francis Dominic who raved about a great book find and the fun he had visiting earlier this week. My daughter is a thriftaholic and when social plans fell through, I consoled her with a visit here. I found a cute vintage dress and a book by indigenous aurhor Cherie Dimaline while my daughter found an animal print top and gold snakeskin heels. We also enjoyed browsing their housewares section. As other reviewers have said, it does get chilly in that big airy warehouse so wear layers. Staff is super friendly and the playlist consisted of 60s classics that reminded me of my dad. We will definitely return to this treasure trove.

Seems like an awesome place to buy things. Unfortunately I never found what I wanted here. Most places in The Bay Area don't seem like this. People usually go to a place like Walmart or Target instead of a store like Urban Ore. It would be better if the hours were different at this place.

Went to look for an antique door for a barn door in our house. Good selection and reasonable price. Found one!! Now I got to learn how to strip the paint!!

I love recycling and re-using materials to contribute to the environment which is why I go to Urban Ore. I have been buying things there for almost 10 years. Over the last 2 years the prices of windows, doors and building materials has Sky-rocked. Also the people running that department are not very freely and cooperative. A day ago I went to buy a used window I needed for a small project I am working on, the home depot price for that very same window was $275, they quoted me at $270 for the window. When I showed them the online price they said, " You are saving on the delivery time, plus we are better than home depot. Besides you don't have to take it, we have plenty of customers"

Wonderful spot, brilliant in a very Berkeley way. Well worth a look around, they got damn near everything. And doors. Plenty of doors. :) People helpful & kind. I hope they remain in business for years to come!

I love this place's selection and the service has been great, mostly. I overheard at least one staff member talking about the recent strike and was disturbed. It's distasteful to call strikers spoiled, selfish etc. They should be able to strike and negotiate regardless. The reason we have any labor rights at all in this country, down to basics like a weekend of an 8-hour-day, is through action like strikes. I don't think I'm coming back unless I really have to.

This place has a lot of things for older houses and apartments. Not everything in here is a deal. Also dont have high expectation for getting assistance up in here. Its a great idea but only average in the delivery.

So if Fred Sanford had a heaven, this may actually be it. Urban Ore is one of those treasure hunt places we love. Founded in the 90's its roots go back way further than that. They were working on zero waste, recycling, up-cylcing etc before those terms were even trendy. It is basically a place where building materials are recycled and given a new life. It is a vast indoor/outdoor warehouse filled with salvaged building materials. From vanities to electrical gear they have a little of everything. It also is a thrift warehouse as well. Given its size and you predilections you can spend a whole day here picking through stuff. If you have specific needs ask. the staff is friendly but unobtrusive and stuff is litterally being processed in real time an put in inventory.

Good finds for great prices, good to come and find things to build/repair, has bike parts, doors, furniture and more

This place is enormous and well worth the visit for the scenery, if nothing else. We visited on a particularly sunny day and the light coming into the warehouse made for a pleasant scene. If you're a student or artist (or perhaps both) trying to find reasonably priced furniture, building materials, set props and builds, various mechanic bits and bobs, books or CDs by the bulk, this would be my first and only stop. The clothing section is a bit small, but was worth a quick ruffle through. The star of the show really is its variety. As a Berkeley thrift, they're a bit more price-savvy than rural competitors may be, meaning "superscores" like a Breville Barista for $10 will be few and far between, but they more than make up for that in their furniture pricing and selection alone. Not to mention any wonders you may stumble upon amongst the heaps and piles of sorted objects strewn loosely about. It has practically everything, with a few standouts being a couple hand sanitizer stands (obvious post-COVID recycles from local establishments), 13 copies of the movie "Babe" on VHS (lined neatly in a row for your aesthetic pleasure), a Looney Toons reference written in sharpie cautioning the handling of a table, and, of course, a shop cat. Bob the shop cat, to be precise. I first encountered him upon my third, dazed loop of the building, perched atop an ottoman tolerantly receiving pets. Once the petter had moved on, I swooped in; keeping my scratches respectfully to his head, neck and back before yielding to the looming onlookers, who eagerly took my place. I circled the area like a vulture for a bit until they had dispersed, at which point I made my seat on the ottoman next to Bob, who began to loaf, entirely unmoved by my presence. (Pictures below.) At one point, an employee rounded the corner with gloves and cat bed in hand, intent on their mission. I relinquished my seat and observed them first attempting to coax Bob onto the cat bed--then, when that inevitably failed, gently pulling him backwards off the couch (which predictably resulted in Bob angrily protesting and biting the glove-protected employee.) Upon being released, Bob then sat swishing his tail and pointedly ignoring the employee as they prodded him with the cat bed--once they gave up, cat bed limply in hand, Bob looked over his shoulder to ensure they were gone before curling victoriously back onto the couch. I took some photos of his unrepentant and lovely face. He is such a small and cute grumpy little grandpa. Would most definitely return for Bob.

I used to love Urban Ore and am sad to hear that they might be closing. I've heard pretty much great things about their staff. It does bother me to hear that some employees use the business for their own businesses. There is a rumor that the clothing person has their own shop. As a customer I find that to be a conflicting business model. No wonder the business is having trouble!! concerned customer, Jan

You can find things here that are impossible or expensive anywhere else. We have purchased vintage doors, vintage hardware, spare tile, furniture, kids toys and more. We also donate extra stuff whenever we can. It really is a treasure hunt. We got a brand new Rejuvenation light for only $60!!

An unbelievable calf assembly of salvage parts and orphaned vintage items Some very interesting things some very cool things if you're an artist and wanna cobble something together Everything is unique and you won't see it elsewhere Prices are fair , a bit on the high side, but for the most part fair A fun place to go if you're into Thrifting repurposing and doing found object art

I would drive from Oakdale California to urban or in Berkeley maybe 10 times because the of the outstanding merchandise and variety it was a thrill for me to see it. Unfortunately, I would buy more than I could hardly fill my car or truck with. It was a great experience.

Super friendly and professional they came and picked up some furniture we needed removed. I'd highly recommend working with urban Ore.

The store has very interesting pieces and I love that they recycle many things that are "great for the right house" just "not my house". We changed some great door knobs that work but don't necessarily fit our house as well as beautiful vintage hanging chandeliers. They are very nice, too.

This is one of those places that has whatever it is you need lol. I love coming here for furniture or random stuff. The prices are really good and you can find some very unique and beautiful furniture -- that's the beauty of second hand! It's a huge place with a large selection of just, things. I like to take my time and look through everything when I come here. From electronics, to vinyls, to clothes, doors, whatever they have it! There were two workers who helped me grab some heavy furniture and load it into my car so thank you for your help-- incredibly kind and did a great job!

One of a kind place. Think of a thrift store, crossed with a curated junk yard the size of a football field, guarded by a flying pink pig There were supposed to be a bunch of photos here, but with updates to software, that's not working

I love shopping here and will always come here first before looking elsewhere for stuff i need. Such a wide selection and it's always fun to wander even if you're not looking for anything in particular. The workers here are always super helpful and nice, and i hope their unionization efforts are successful in achieving the working conditions they deserve. I hope management and owners can stop union busting and bargain with workers in good faith!

Not worth it at all. Glorified trash heap. Anything cool you find is not for sale. Items not priced take "3-5 days" to get priced, according to signage. Most items are broken or wildly over priced. Example: Film camera without working flash and broken battery compartment was $5. Broken doors rotting from the inside out were hundreds of dollars. Furniture was twice the price you could find second hand on facebook marketplace from much nicer people... Speaking of, every employee was incredibly rude when asked simple questions like asking for assistance in a specific section. Sorry I want to spend money and support your business! The only thing I would recommend is the adorable elderly cat in the back. Would not return and would not recommend

Such a cool place to dig for treasure. A wide variety of used items: furniture, home goods, media, clothing, outdoor items, etc. I didn't find anything this visit, but I'd gladly return to dig again. Reasonable prices. Small and busy private parking lot.

I used to visit here in my lunch hours because I worked close by. I found a glass lampshade that fit a reading lamp which I had been unsuccessful in locating until I came here.

This place has some really cool stuff. Building materials, antiques appliances, etc.. cool vintage stuff, even clothing staff has always been friendly and there's a cute little cat running around the place too that loves to be pet.

I try to go here once a week. Sometimes the stuff is a great price! Sometimes not so much. It's an exercise in creative thinking in and of itself. I REALLY like that it's a union shop, and I REALLY hope the owners see sense and bargain with the union in good faith.( I also wish the closed off tool section was more accessible and visible, but that's minor)

Absolutely love this place! The staff is knowledgeable and you never know what treasures you'll find. I live in an old Berkeley house and this place is perfect if you need to find antique replacement parts like a mortise lock, pocket door handle, or any kind of old hardware. Or a replacement bathroom sink! Or cool furniture! Just awesome!

I have loved going here for a few years and was going to pop in today when I saw a protest organized by their workers. After talking with a very nice man who worked there I learned of the management issues and other disheartening circumstances that had prompted their protest. After talking with a few of the employees, all of whom were delightful, i have decided to stop going there until the changes requested by the staff are executed in good faith. I look forward to returning when a more equitable contract has been negotiated on the employees behalf.

Great place to find random Knick knacks and cool second hand stuff ....sometimes a little overpriced ...but for furniture this place rules !!

Crazy cool spot. They have a little bit of everything... lots of cool finds... if you are looking for something new, don't come here.

I've been going to Urban Ore since the 90s. Whenever I got to a point in a project, where I needed something, the first place I thought of was Urban Ore. The best part about Urban Ore is the staff. The employees run an amazing shop. They know where everything is, and are happy to show you where it is. That's why it's difficult for me to understand why the owners of Urban Ore refuse to bargain in good faith with the Union. Get to the table, bargain a contract to TA, and put it to the membership for a vote.

Love this place so much! Growing up in the Berkeley community and coming of age through the 90s, Urban Ore is a big part of the rare Berkeley culture I love and revere, much of which--Wall Berlin, Berkeley Square, and now even People's Park, has vanished! Not just an ordinary salvage yard, they've got everything from the practical to the outrageous. We've come here to shop their huge collection of doors, or to browse for vintage furniture and decorations. They've almost always got something worth seeing that's a total surprise as well! Oh, and a lot of what makes this a special Berkeley landmark is the workers themselves who have recently unionized with the IWW, the same union as three of the Berkeley Peet's Coffees, City Lights Books in San Francisco, etc. Definitely check them out if you're nearby!

I was introduced to Urban Ore about a year ago and I have been a fan ever since. The space is massive, the selection is impressive, the staff is fantastic, and it all around is a really good experience to shop there. It's a staple of the community for a reason. I think that has made it all the more disappointing to hear about how management is stonewalling negotiations with the workers of Urban Ore. As a union member and union representative who has sat through numerous bargaining sessions and waged many just battles against terrible employers, management's public anti-union propaganda has been extremely disappointing. Cut to the chase, bargain in good faith, and understand that the workers are just trying to make their jobs more sustainable and Urban Ore a better organization. Also, please spare me the cookie-cutter response that you've given other reviewers; your time is best spent bargaining--ideally in good faith. I really do hope that you and the workers can come to a fair and just contract soon because I would hate to have to boycott such a lovely place.

I had the best time just browsing around this awesome spot. There's so much to see! If you're looking for salvaged doors, this is your store. They also have a ton of amazing furniture. I grabbed some books and vintage glassware. Couldn't be happier.

5 stars for the Urban Ore Workers, IWW IU 670! 0 stars for the owners refusing to bargain in good faith and for union busting.

If you like old things, and goiing through old stuff, this may be the place for you! It is kinda like a scavenger hunt--you may or may not find what you are looking for. It might be a good idea to take a list  of what you are looking for--unless you don't mind getting lost for hours. I went in looking for wide-mouth quart canning jars. I found 2 wide mouth and 4 regualar quart canning jars for a dollar each--they can be difficult to find these days. In the back of my mind, I was looking for a way of dealing with mail and paperwork. I found something made out of metal with three levels for holding business papers for $8. Another thought I had was to see if I could find some LP vinyl records for my teenage grand daughter. Well, they had a large number of records, but I easily gave up on that idea because there was no order.  However, the price was right--only $1 each. So, for someone who has a lot of time and patience, that could be a goldmine. It makes me happy that there are still places that one can take stuff and keep it out of the landfill.

Urban Ore has been a great resource during the updating of our Victorian. We found period light fixtures. Hardware. Replacement claw feet for our tub. Etc.

I haven't been here in a while but I got all my antique light fixtures and antique door knobs from here. They have a good selection but the store smells of cat urine unless they have remodeled it recently