Urban Ore
Urban Ore is a well-known East Bay store that you’ve probably frequented if you live in the area and have ever tried to remodel or update a house on a strict budget. It’s something like a thrift store, but is so much more (which is why it merits an article of its own rather than simply an inclusion in my list of East Bay thrift stores).
Put another way, it’s a bit like a thrift store that also sells lumber, doors, toilets, and other similar items. You never know what you’ll find, and picking through piles of rubbish and who-could-possibly-want-that sorts of items is part of the fun.
What Urban Ore isn’t: a major department store where you can expect to pick out matching appliances and lights. They might have a fabulous antique French carved wood door in stock – but don’t expect them to have anything similar for your back door. It’s best to come here with a general shopping list and an open mind rather than a list of exact specifications and requirements.
To get there, simply take the Ashby Avenue exit from 80/580. Head east on Ashby Avenue for just a few blocks until you reach 7th Street, and then turn right on 7th.
Immediately (after only about 30 feet) turn left onto Murray Street, where you’ll find the parking lot for Urban Ore.
Inside, you’ll find many of the nicer or higher-quality products. Cases contain jewelry and small collectibles, while one corner is full of haphazardly-stacked art (ranging from prints to limited editions to originals). A large portion of the store is dedicated to furniture and cabinets, while there are several large aisles of doors. Some appliances, especially vintage stoves and ovens, also get to reside indoors. You’ll also find hardware, some sporting goods, electronics, books, records, and much more inside.
Once you venture out, you’ll find yourself with another huge area to explore. Most of the stuff out here is of the sort that can withstand the weather. There are typically dozens of sinks and toilets in some level of disarray, and at least a handful of bathtubs. There are more doors out here, as well as quite a few window frames (with or without glass). Other materials include tiles, stone or granite for countertops, and lumber. You’ll also find gardening supplies, some furniture (typically the worse for wear), and various other assorted items that you likely wouldn’t even have thought to wonder about.
Other than that, Urban Ore salvages products that have been dumped at the City of Berkeley transfer station. So yes, you may literally be buying objects that other people paid to throw away at the dump. Instead of looking at it that way, though, consider the fact that you are directly rescuing these items from the landfill (and helping the planet in the process, which is one of Urban Ore’s main goals).
Most outdoor items are not tagged with prices. For these, simply consult a staff member (and consider gathering together everything you’re interested in at once, so you don’t have to track someone down every time you see another object that catches your eye).
Bring something warm to wear if it isn’t a particularly hot day, as the warehouse can get pretty chilly.
If you’re severely allergic to cats, you may want to stay away entirely; several freely roam the building. Unfortunately, they don’t always bother to use the litter boxes scattered around for them, and the smell can be pretty intense in certain parts of the store.
What Is It?
In short, Urban Ore is a resource for all stages of home building, from actual construction to final décor.Put another way, it’s a bit like a thrift store that also sells lumber, doors, toilets, and other similar items. You never know what you’ll find, and picking through piles of rubbish and who-could-possibly-want-that sorts of items is part of the fun.
What Urban Ore isn’t: a major department store where you can expect to pick out matching appliances and lights. They might have a fabulous antique French carved wood door in stock – but don’t expect them to have anything similar for your back door. It’s best to come here with a general shopping list and an open mind rather than a list of exact specifications and requirements.
Location and Directions
Urban Ore is located at 900 Murray Street, in Berkeley. If you’re familiar with the general area but not with Urban Ore specifically, it may help to know that it’s about two blocks west of the intersection of Ashby Avenue and San Pablo Avenue.To get there, simply take the Ashby Avenue exit from 80/580. Head east on Ashby Avenue for just a few blocks until you reach 7th Street, and then turn right on 7th.
Immediately (after only about 30 feet) turn left onto Murray Street, where you’ll find the parking lot for Urban Ore.
Hours
Urban Ore is open seven days a week. From Monday through Saturday, the hours are 8:30 AM to 7 PM. On Sundays, the hours are 10 AM to 7 PM. Urban Ore is only closed on a few major holidays a year – it’s even open on New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve (though it may close earlier than usual).Departments/Sections
Urban Ore has two major sections: inside and outside.Inside, you’ll find many of the nicer or higher-quality products. Cases contain jewelry and small collectibles, while one corner is full of haphazardly-stacked art (ranging from prints to limited editions to originals). A large portion of the store is dedicated to furniture and cabinets, while there are several large aisles of doors. Some appliances, especially vintage stoves and ovens, also get to reside indoors. You’ll also find hardware, some sporting goods, electronics, books, records, and much more inside.
Once you venture out, you’ll find yourself with another huge area to explore. Most of the stuff out here is of the sort that can withstand the weather. There are typically dozens of sinks and toilets in some level of disarray, and at least a handful of bathtubs. There are more doors out here, as well as quite a few window frames (with or without glass). Other materials include tiles, stone or granite for countertops, and lumber. You’ll also find gardening supplies, some furniture (typically the worse for wear), and various other assorted items that you likely wouldn’t even have thought to wonder about.
Where Does the Stuff Come From?
The bulk of Urban Ore’s products are donated by members of the community (thrift-store style). If you’re interested in donating, call ahead to make sure they’re currently accepting donations. Most days, receiving closes at 5, so plan to get there before that to drop off your goods.Other than that, Urban Ore salvages products that have been dumped at the City of Berkeley transfer station. So yes, you may literally be buying objects that other people paid to throw away at the dump. Instead of looking at it that way, though, consider the fact that you are directly rescuing these items from the landfill (and helping the planet in the process, which is one of Urban Ore’s main goals).
Tips
Unfortunately, while there are always many bargains, some of Urban Ore’s pricing can seem quite high. If this is the case, check the tag on the item in question. Each tag has the date the item was priced, and the staff are often willing to negotiate on items that have been sitting around for at least a month. At the same time, keep in mind that many of the items here are unique, so if you find the perfect piece, it may not be worth the risk of waiting for the price to come down.Most outdoor items are not tagged with prices. For these, simply consult a staff member (and consider gathering together everything you’re interested in at once, so you don’t have to track someone down every time you see another object that catches your eye).
Bring something warm to wear if it isn’t a particularly hot day, as the warehouse can get pretty chilly.
If you’re severely allergic to cats, you may want to stay away entirely; several freely roam the building. Unfortunately, they don’t always bother to use the litter boxes scattered around for them, and the smell can be pretty intense in certain parts of the store.
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