The Arc of Tempe

Phoenix, United States

3.9

Open now

15 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 602-453-0303
Website:
www.tempearc.org
Address:
4725 E Southern Ave Ste 1, Phoenix, AZ, 85042
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
2.1 miUniversity Dr / Rural Rd
2.1 miDorsey Ln / Apache Blvd
2.2 miE University Dr & S Stadium Dr
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
No
Accepts Bitcoin
No
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes

Today

Today 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Phoenix) 3:43 PM Thursday, June 26, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

We offer free pickup for useable items such as furniture, housewares, electronics & more.

100% of the proceeds from the thrift shop provides the majority of the fundraising for our Life-​Skills & Recreation Center for adults with developmental disabilities.

Be an Arc volunteer. YOU make all the difference!

* Drop in any time to help sort items and get them on the sales floor!

* Handy with repairs of appliances and other things? We can use your help getting donated items in working order!

* How about coordinating a donation at your home on a prearranged day and we will send our truck to pick them up!

History

Established in 1965.

The Arc of Tempe exists because of a very basic, yet profoundly important belief: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are worthy of love and respect and deserve to be fully valued members of society. It was from that premise that in 1965, a group of loving parents founded an organization that would eventually become The Arc of Tempe.

Today, The Arc of Tempe provides a unique life skills and recreation program for those 16 years of age or older with intellectual or developmental

disabilities (I/​DD). Our mission reflects our founding belief: We empower and enrich the lives of persons with developmental disabilities by teaching self-​advocacy, life skills and civic involvement through hands-​on learning and recreational activities.

Meet the Manager

Ellen R.

Manager

Ellen has been the Thrift Store Manager for almost 10 years. With a background in Thrift and a wide range of experience we are so blessed to have her!

Related places

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15 reviews of The Arc of Tempe

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Phoenix, AZ
We contacted ARC to make a donation of goods from an estate. Ellen couldn’t have been nicer. She scheduled the pick up promptly. They sent the truck and two men to pick up our items. They were kind, non judgemental and were amazing at loading that truck. I would absolutely recommend ARC of Tempe to make donations to. This was such a wonderful experience. Other places couldn’t make it out to the house for weeks and they were too picky.
I have shopped here for more than 25 years.
Thank you ARC for a great experience
Place rating: 5
Davis, CA
This was only one a 2 stores that I could find close to me that was open on Sunday. Upon arrival I was not impressed but the more we looked the more we found! ARC was a great find and we found so much. It was like a treasure hunt!!! The staff were genuinely, super nice. I love a good deal and we hit a day that was also 50% off. Doesn’t get much better. If I lived here this would be a regular place for me to visit. I would highly recomment The Arc of Tempe. I price it $$ if you don’t happen to be there on a 50% day off.
Place rating: 3
Phoenix, AZ
Since they moved to their 48th Street and Southern location it seems like the quality of items has gone down, not sure if I would go back to this thrift store.
Place rating: 3
Golden, CO
I live in Colorado and this store is nothing compared to the ones there. There are hardly no clothes at all, and gross stuff no one wants or super cheap selection. I looked at some of the brick a brac. $ 30 for some porcelain stuff? No thanks. I’ve thrifted all over the world and this place is somewhat disappointing. They do have a decent amount of furniture, but prices are pretty high I’d wait until half price days. For clothes you’d be waaay better off clearance at kohls or Ross or outlet mall nearby! And new! I do support that they actually support people with their profits as opposed to goodwill. So if you are going to thrift shop go here over goodwill!
Place rating: 4
Tempe, AZ
I just got back from the new location on 48th street & southern and guess what? Super score! Vintage turquoise watch band plus it was ½ price day.
Looks like all the weekends are ½ price but prices are fair overall and all the proceeds go to help persons with developmental disabilities.
You have to pick thru stuff but I like that kind of hidden treasure hunting.
Place rating: 5
Tempe, AZ
Been going to the ARC for years, you never know what hidden treasure you will find. Love that they are a LOCAL charity, great cause. Ellen the manager is great, always helpful. The Arc will pickup in their truck, many of my friends and neighbors have called for pickup. I have found many gifts, housewares, furniture, or always needing frames for art. Tip: Parking Inside of Plaza
Place rating: 5
Tempe, AZ
This is one of my favorite thrift stores for furniture and misc treasures and finds. It can be hit or miss, it goes quick their prices are low. I called my friend who needed a couch, she has a very very nice house and they had a new looking Lazy boy reclining couch for only $ 150. I have picked up some nice vases, electronics, frames, lamps end tables. Its not the Ritz but it is fun to see what you find and sometimes what you need. Wish they took credit cards. An added plus donations are for a good cause! They have picked up donations (staff that came out were so friendly and helpful) and they will deliver when I have bought furniture, it was so worth the small fee (and I didn’t have to bug my friends with a truck). Tip: Parking is inside plaza turn in by the car wash.
Place rating: 4
Phoenix, AZ
I love the ARC of TEMPE, I always find awesome trinkets and vintage frames at rock bottom prices (go on Saturday or Sunday to get half off of EVERYTHING) They could be a bit more organized (no Thrift Store odor thank goodness) but they have a wide selection, so go take a peek and leave with something neat.
Another cool fact: 100% of the proceeds from The Arc Thrift Shop provide the majority of the funding for their Recreation Center for youth and adults with developmental disabilities, so shop for a GREAT cause.
Weekly Specials at The Arc Thrift Store
Monday All Ladies Clothing is 50% off the regular price
Tuesday Shoes, Linens and Books are 50% off the regular price
Wednesday All Children’s Clothing is 50% off the regular price
Thursday All Men’s Clothing is 50% off the regular price
Friday Housewares, Lamps and Luggage is 50% off the regular price
Saturday EVERYTHING in the store is 50% off the regular price
Sunday EVERYTHING in the store is 50% off the regular price
Place rating: 4
Chandler, AZ
Totally worth your time. Go on the weekends, everything is half off and it never gets too busy.
Place rating: 2
Phoenix, AZ
This used to be my FAVORITE place. I used to be able to find various hidden treasures for a good price. I got a few mid-​century-​esque pieces without breaking the bank. Yes, they had a scratch here or there, but they looks great in my house. Plus, Saturdays are half off, making weekend treasure hunts an every week event.
However things have changed recently. There seems to be a new employee who has started in the past 6 months. She seems to think that all the items there are SOOO amazing and prices them way to high for what you are getting. The furniture still has scratches or dings or needs to be cleaned up, you can’t charge like it is new. You are a tiny, local shop. You have to price accordingly. I’ve even seen IKEA items priced like new. People give you things for FREE. it only seems fair to me that you wouldn’t try to rape people with your pricing.
I’ve been putting off my review because I wanted to give them a good review, but things just keep getting worse.
Sad. No more weekly stops here for me.
Place rating: 3
Glendale, AZ
–Overpriced, broken stuff that should just be discarded.
–Dark and crowded… let’s just say that they really make good on the use of space in this shop.
–They even had old vintage games behind the counter that were missing most of the pieces that were way overpriced… even during the ½ off sale, it was still overpriced.
–Old doll cases with broken/​missing handles priced HIGHER than anthique stores…
–Dirty, filthy thrift store… I felt like I needed to shower in hand sanitizer afterwards from the thrift store cooties.
–Smells like a thrift store… It’s probably from the nasty carpet that must be like a hundred years old… ick!
–Decent selection of furniture and household goods.
–Hidden away in an older strip mall (SW corner) that seems perfect for this shop, however finding the entrance to turn in can be a challenge.
–BEWARE: of the perpetual parking lot speed bumps and potholes that will probably throw off your car alignment.
–Convenient parking.
Place rating: 4
Tempe, AZ
I prefer to donate items to this thrift store because, unlike Goodwill, they do not see the need to pay a CEO a six figure salary, to run a thrift industry, which is supposed to be in the business of helping people. Goodwill talks a good game, but when it comes to delivering, comes up short. They play games with hiring people, just like the rest of the corporate types do, these days; mainly because they can get away with it, due to the abysmal job market.
When I take things to ARC, they actually act like they are happy to get them, and don’t act as if they are doing you a favor.
They are local, and that is a big plus in my book.
Place rating: 4
Tempe, AZ
I can remember shopping here as a kid. You can so kill an hour or two here. And the best thing about this store that separates it from other thrift shops, every weekend is half off. Yup! Every Saturday and Sunday the entire store is half off.
Place rating: 3
Los Angeles, CA
The ARC rocks socks for furniture, bikes and random doo-​dads, but it sucks for clothes. It’s also really hard to find as it is tucked away in a run down strip mall with an entrace facing the back ghetto parking lot.
It get 4 stars because it has 50% off Wednesdays for students. I got mad crazy couches for my house in college, courtesy of 50% off days at the ARC. Several coffee tables, a lamp and a WHAM! tape too. Sweet.
I also found an awesome pink beach cruiser bike here for $ 5. Score! Too bad I let it rust in my garage. Shame on me.
Place rating: 5
Pittsburgh, PA
I love thrift stores and this one has got to be my favorite!
For those of you who think Buffalo Exchange is a thrift store, this is NOT for you! The art thrifting is all about the ‘find’ going through random and sometimes horrendous items until you come across that one hidden treasure!
This is locally owned and the proceeds go to different charities. The last time I went they were playing a 98 degrees song in country form! lol… They have some great deals on furnature and lamps! I’m always checking out the jewlery case for some cool vintage designer peices.
Go on Saturday and Sunday for their 50% off! Don’t forget to bring cash, or be prepared to use the ATM, this place doesn’t accept cards!