Shop The Ops

Good for more modern styles. I’m more into vintage but this is a good place for jeans and such. Definitely worth a look.

Not as great as great as some of the others in the neighborhood, but an amazing store with no attitude– just bargains to be had. Favorite buy was a pair of vintage glasses for a buck. Got my prescription added for $ 30.

So… what is the name of this place? Thames and Bocker? Thimes and Bocker? Shop the Ops? It doesn’t even matter, read my other review for one of the real (or fake???) names on how legit this store is.
I spent hours here… worth a visit, especially if you’re heading to Urban Jungle anyway.

Upon arrival, I was a bit overwhelmed by the massive size of the store. Inspection of the non-​color coded or sized racks spurred my anxiety further. Then I found some winter boots. Amazing winter boots. Then I found a pair for my friend. Then I saw about 40 pairs of rain boots. Then, then, then…
I treaded the racks carefully looking for my favorite brands. I was dubious. This place looks… mmm.messy. 5 sweaters (French Connection, H&M, Ralph Lauren Cashmere), 1 Timberland Jacket, 2 purses, 1 Winter Boots, 1 Work Boots later, and all less than $ 100. I am a fan. My gf dropped another hundo, and we looked like straight homeless ladies walking out of their with our giant garbage bags of deals. I am still satisfied, ahhhh. Cant wait to go back and dig some more.

I stumbled upon this place while heading to Urban Jungle. We saw signs on the door that said vintage, thrift etc. So we went on in and boy was I surprised. Tons of large racks of clothing, none of it was organized by size but in general there was a mens section, womens, etc… I didn’t get lucky in the womens area or in the mens jeans area but when I headed over to the mixed rack where there were plenty of t-​shirts, sweaters and jackets, that’s when I started to enjoy myself. Feeling a little at home amongst the hispanics, listening to Spanish music blare over the speakers, digging through tons of shirts and sweating like I was working in the back of a sweat shop (it’s hot as hell in there), I found a t-​shirt I liked in my size! *Cue the choir* Hallelujah! The t-​shirt Gods have heard my call and have descended upon me, thou shall have t-​shirt! I also found some *really* nice quality wool coats… with tags still on them, original price $ 349.99. New price… $ 25. HOLY MOTHER OF HELL… WHAT?! $ 25 yeah… Jones New York wool coat with tag $ 25. Could it be a knockoff? Possibly… but I saw many new items in this store with store tags still on them. I saw nothing over $ 25. This is a store I will have to make frequent trips to. Oh and I didn’t feel skeevey looking through these clothes either, nothing stained, no holes, no dust and no musky smell. YAY!

Whether you prefer to call this store «Shop the Ops» (their Unilocal listing), «Thimes & Pocker» (their business card), or «Thames & Bocker» (the sign on the building), and whether you think their address is 96 Knickerbocker or 57 Thames, it’s all the same store. Maybe the spelling discrepancy is because they’re Spanish-​speaking? Don’t know. What I know is that I found a lot of good quality used and overstock new clothes and coats for cheap, in a wide variety of sizes (NOT mostly tiny) and styles (NOT mostly plaid). And they had a huge selection of shoes/​boots. This store is the most useful to me of all the area’s thrift stores. And parking is easy. And customers are welcome to use the baño!

Ridiculously over-​expensive. Tried to charge me $ 14 for two audio books and a very used baseball glove. NOT worth the trip. (Oh, according to their business card, their official name IS «Thames & Bocker».)

Large
But just
Average
Quality for
Goodwill or Salvation Army store.

This place seems to sell overstock from other stores (a lot of the clothing still had it’s original tags on it) — I saw Old Navy, brands from Target, Payless, etc. I was kind of burnt out from thrifting at the Urban Jungle, but still manage to find a cute summery dress, granted in the dead middle of winter, for a $ 7.

I live directly across the street from here and awake everyday to the awning oustide my bedroom window. The place is basically a huge warehouse, with clothes as far as you can see. I had a hard time finding anything that I liked, but I’m sure I could’ve if I spent an hour or more there, but I haven’t had the time. I prefer Urban Jungle next door, it has a better selection and its cleaner.

For the longest time I thought this place called Thames and Bocker, because that’s what the big sign out front says. That’s wrong. I guess part of this building/​business called Office Ops, which has something to do with renting space out. I don’t know, I just shop there.
Two blocks from the Morgan stop off the L line and a short walk from Jefferson is this wonderful wonderful thrift store. Seriously, every time I go in there I leave with tons of great clothes for practically no money. A dress I got there gets compliments EVERY time I wear it. I also once got a $ 150 skirt from Bloomingdales for $ 10.
Don’t ever pay more than $ 20 for an article of clothing. That has become my motto after this store.