Review Highlights
“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.” in 6 reviews
“I kindly call on the owners of Urban Ore to bargain IN GOOD FAITH (: with the Urban Ore workers.” in 7 reviews
“I've found cashmere, Marc Jacobs rain coats, vintage delights, and those thin plaid shirts my boyfriend likes so much.” in 24 reviews
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Next-Day Delivery Available.*
*On In-Stock orders $499 & above, placed before 2PM (Monday thru Friday). Subject to availability of delivery slots. Not available at our Roseville showroom. See associates for more details.read morein Appliances
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About the Business
Business owner information
![Photo of Daniel K.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/buphoto/PhN9wnfGrwTTEfJPN8IYkg/90s.jpg)
Daniel K.
We prevent waste by accepting no-longer-wanted things from some people and selling them to others. We recycle what we can't sell for reuse. We have three acres of secondhand stuff, all well organized, and helpful staff. We are here 360 days a year for your shopping convenience. We are the REUSE step in the Reduce, REUSE, Recycle disposal hierarchy. Zero Waste will help save the only planet we know we can live on.
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Overall rating
571 reviews
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- Eugene S.Menlo Park, CA811001075Jan 31, 2015
Urban Ore is a tinker's paradise. It's appropriately named, as you'll find few treasures ready to display on your mantel. Mining the ore requires sifting (through mountains of junk); assay (analysis of what it's worth to you); but rarely any grinding or smelting. Appliances will be broken, parts may be missing, furniture needs re-finishing. Factor those in when assessing all the great deals.
For the fixer-upper having some familiarity with UO's inventory, with a specific parts list for a particular DIY project, great deals are to be had. Example: I recently had call for a large granite-topped table. Local firms quoted me $700-$1000 for the top, FOB. I picked up one at Urban Ore made of better natural material for $70, and rented a pickup for $20 to ship it to the assembly point. Voila! 90% savings.Helpful 3Thanks 0Love this 3Oh no 0 - Jeff D.Emeryville, CA2737Mar 23, 2024
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.Helpful 3Thanks 2Love this 1Oh no 0Business owner information
Mary Lou V.
Jul 15, 2024
Thank you for your review, Jeff. We greatly value our employees, which is why we have engaged in over 20 negotiating sessions lasting more than 3 hours each, with ongoing communication between meetings. Urban Ore has successfully operated for 43 years and remains committed to pursuing a mutually beneficial agreement moving forward. However, we cannot agree to everything that is proposed.
- Eric S.Oakland, CA15133Mar 23, 2024
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.Helpful 6Thanks 6Love this 5Oh no 1Business owner information
Mary Lou V.
Jul 1, 2024
Thank you for your feedback, Eric. Our employees are crucial to us. That is why we have been at the negotiating table more than 20 times. Every department at Urban Ore meets monthly, to have a say over their own work. The staff and their ideas are vital for running the company. We don’t know what we will get or sell on any given day. Simply put, we are ‘built different.’ We are here to serve the Earth, and the community. Urban Ore has thrived for 43 years and aims to continue to work toward a mutually beneficial agreement for Berkeley and the planet. We appreciate your support.
- Alex B.Berkeley, CA14Mar 22, 2024
urban ore is a bay area institution, all thanks to the fine folks who keep it running! it is a feast for the eyes, the senses and the curious. it is paradise for the bower birds, heaven for the bottom feeders. it's a great place for a date. it's one of the few spots left in this city to kill time. wingnuts know. so do dads, my elementary school teacher, your wacky neighbor and tinkerers of all kinds. berkeley is not berkeley without urban ore. thank you, urban ore. thank you, urban ore workers!
this is why I SUPPORT the URBAN ORE UNION! and kindly call on its owners to stop UNION BUSTING and bargain in good faith.Helpful 4Thanks 5Love this 3Oh no 1 - Nin K.San Francisco, CA1516Jan 16, 2024
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.Helpful 3Thanks 1Love this 1Oh no 0 - Dec 11, 2023
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!Helpful 2Thanks 1Love this 1Oh no 0 - Cheryl G.Fairfield, CA04Aug 14, 2024
It's just fun to browse! We are looking for architectural garden items. Can't wait to go back.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Evelyn Z.Newbury Park, CA18242Mar 21, 2024
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!Helpful 6Thanks 3Love this 4Oh no 0Business owner information
Mary Lou V.
Jul 15, 2024
Thank you Evelyn, for your positive feedback on our store, and for acknowledging the extensive product range that our supply customers provide, and our demand customers buy. At Urban Ore, we take pride in our helpful and friendly staff. When we hire, we choose people who love people and who share our passion for advancing zero waste.
Urban Ore offers starting pay that exceeds Berkeley’s Living Wage standards. We also provide fully-paid platinum-level health benefits for full-time employees and all of their dependents, alongside comparable dental care benefits. In addition, our staff enjoys 22 days of annual leave, with 12 days being fully paid. As another benefit, employees receive a 50% discount on all purchases made at Urban Ore.
Please be aware, Urban Ore managers are also workers, and everyone works together as a team. Managers are seasoned professionals, many with over a decade of experience, and they started out as entry-level staff. Nearly half of our staff are managers, ensuring there is expertise and oversight in all facets of our operations.
We are committed to productive negotiations and have sat at the table over 20 times for sessions lasting three hours or more, with ongoing communication between meetings. Negotiation is how we do business. Although we cannot agree to everything that has been asked, having thrived for 43 years, Urban Ore remains dedicated to advancing mutually beneficial agreements on into the future. - Apr 3, 2024
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.
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0Business owner information
Mary Lou V.
Jun 29, 2024
Thank you, Nina. We receive fresh dropoffs from everybody and their cousin all day every day, 360 days a year, and we never know what will come in next. Three acres of secondhand goods - there’s always something interesting. We’ve been in business 43 years and still never get bored. -Mary Lou, one of the owners
- Jan 1, 2023
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.Helpful 7Thanks 1Love this 10Oh no 0 - mike c.Oakland, CA13319Jun 30, 2024Updated review
And. Mary Lou... The city of Oakland hauled away this very fine toilet for free with the bulky pickup and cost nothing. But, thank you for your reply regarding your $10.00 service charge. Your prices are too high as many others have complained.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
Mary Lou V.
Jun 29, 2024
So sorry you were disappointed. The thing is, we receive a surplus of good toilets. We charge the recycling fee to pay for handling, because it costs us for labor and shipping to strip out the unrecyclable insides and load the toilet into a long-haul box. The full box goes by highway to the South Bay, where the toilets are crushed into ceramic underlayment for roads. We are trying not to waste anything - Zero Waste. But recycling is never free. We pay our staff a Living Wage. -Mary Lou, one of the owners
May 21, 2024Previous reviewUrban Ore - It just isn't what it used to be! I have recently remodeled a bathroom and changed out a water conservation toilet - low water flush - that should be recycled! Calling Urban Ore, I spoke to a representative who said that yes they would take the perfectly good, clean toilet after paying a $10.00 drop off fee. I exclaimed that... "What? - you are going to charge me $10.00 to drop off a perfectly good, clean & functional toilet and sell it for a substantial profit!?" The toilet cost $650.00 and was used for only three years! They exclaimed, "That's how it works!" So much for saving the environment, saving resources and filling their pocket book! The City of Oakland will now haul off the toilet to be scrapped. What a waste and I will not be visiting Urban Ore again!
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