Pomona or Pasadena: Which ACTS Thrift Location Should You Hit This Weekend?
If you're searching "thrift store near me" somewhere between the 210 and the 10, there's a decent chance both our Pomona and Pasadena locations are close enough to be options. They're run the same way — same nonprofit mission, same weekly deals, same commitment to putting 100% of net proceeds back into the community — but they're not interchangeable. Here's how they actually differ, so you can decide which one's worth the drive this weekend.
ACTS Thrift Pomona — Foothill Blvd, Route 66
Our Pomona store sits right on the historic Route 66 corridor at 232 E Foothill Blvd, which makes it an easy stop if you're already running errands along Foothill or heading through the eastern San Gabriel Valley from Claremont, La Verne, or Chino.
What Pomona shoppers tend to notice:
Strong furniture turnover. Sofas, dining sets, and dressers move quickly here, so if you're furnishing an apartment or flipping finds, it's worth calling ahead to check what's currently on the floor rather than assuming it'll still be there next week.
A steady mix of everyday basics and unexpected brand names. Because donations come from across the whole eastern SGV community, it's not unusual to find a recognizable label mixed in with standard racks.
Easy parking and drop-off. If you're donating on the same trip, Pomona's setup makes it simple to unload and shop in one stop.
ACTS Thrift Pasadena — North Altadena Drive
The Pasadena location, at 1311 North Altadena Dr, is the one to check if you're coming from Altadena, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, or the western end of the valley. Pasadena has no shortage of secondhand options — Goodwill, Buffalo Exchange, a handful of boutique consignment shops — but shoppers who stick with ACTS usually point to the same handful of reasons:
Consistent, organized inventory. Pasadena's clothing racks in particular get praised for being genuinely browsable rather than overwhelming.
A rewards structure that actually benefits donors, not just shoppers. The Giving & Helping Club rewards both sides of the transaction, which is rarer than you'd think among Pasadena's other thrift and resale options.
A faith-based nonprofit model that keeps proceeds local rather than routing them through a national franchise structure — something that matters to a lot of Pasadena shoppers who specifically look for where their money lands.
So which one should you actually visit?
Honestly, it depends less on which store is "better" and more on what you're shopping for and where you're starting from:
Furnishing a space or flipping furniture? Pomona's furniture turnover is the stronger bet, and it's worth a call ahead if you're after something specific.
Building a wardrobe or hunting for a specific brand? Pasadena's clothing organization makes it easier to browse efficiently.
Coming from the eastern valley — Claremont, La Verne, Chino, Ontario? Pomona is the closer, easier stop.
Coming from Altadena, Sierra Madre, or South Pasadena? Pasadena is your spot.
Somewhere in between, like Duarte or Monrovia? Our Duarte location on Huntington Drive splits the difference and is worth checking too.
What's the same at both
Regardless of which location you choose, a few things don't change:
Weekly color-tag sales — discounts that rotate week to week, sometimes as steep as 50–75% off a specific tag color on top of already-low pricing
The Giving & Helping Club — free to join, and it rewards both shopping and donating
100% of net proceeds going back to local partners like Door of Hope, Inland Valley Hope Partners, Hoving Home, Obria Medical Clinics, Pacific Lifeline, and Frontsight Military Ministry
Donation drop-off and free pickup, so you can donate and shop in the same trip at either store
Locations and hours
Pomona — 232 East Foothill Blvd, Pomona, CA 91767 — (909) 491-3199
Pasadena — 1311 North Altadena Dr, Pasadena, CA 91107 — (626) 577-4477
Duarte — 2215 E Huntington Dr, Duarte, CA 91010 — (626) 605-2914
Check actsthrift.org/events before you head out — whichever location you land on, timing your visit to a color-tag sale week is the difference between a good trip and a great one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ACTS Thrift in Pomona the same as the Pasadena location? They're run by the same nonprofit with the same mission and rewards program, but inventory and turnover differ — Pomona tends to have stronger furniture selection, while Pasadena's clothing racks are especially well organized.
Which ACTS Thrift location has better furniture? The Pomona location on Foothill Blvd generally sees the strongest and fastest furniture turnover of the three stores.
Do both locations run the same sales? Yes, weekly color-tag markdowns and Giving & Helping Club perks apply across all ACTS Thrift locations, including Pomona and Pasadena.
Can I donate at one location and shop at another? Yes, donations and rewards aren't tied to a single store — you can donate at whichever location is convenient and shop at any of the three.
What are the hours for the Pomona and Pasadena stores? Hours vary by location and season — call ahead or check actsthrift.org for current store hours before visiting.
