Best of 2000: Best Mega Thrift Shop

Skill Centers of America
Thrift Store
6195 University Avenue, Rolando
(619) 286-9090

This thrift store's storefront gives no indication of how huge and overflowing with other people's stuff the place is. Pre-owned merchandise fills three floors: shoes and women's clothes on the top level, men's wear on the second floor. The shop's basement features stacks of prehistoric electronics, barely used exercise equipment, and Apple IIe computers; and they seem to have cornered the local market for used crutches. Lots of bikes and camping equipment down here too. Prices are low, pants around $2.50; shirts $1.99. A pair of Florsheim Imperial wingtips in perfect condition sold recently for $10. That's a savings of $290.