Gadgets and Gifts for the Thrifty Kitchen

Flex your buying power for a noble cause this winter and head to the Kitchens for Good Shop in Pacific Beach. This one-stop kitchen and home decor store is stocked with an array of donated pre-loved items that will have cooks dizzy with delight.

Shoppers can peruse vintage collectibles, cookbooks, decor, and kitchenware online or browse in-store to see items firsthand. If you’re the kind of shopper who lives for the thrill of the hunt, you know exploring in person can’t be beat. Rare finds like complete sets of collectible tableware in pristine condition, barely used small countertop appliances for a fraction of the price compared to new, and just about any kitchen tool you can think of are waiting to be discovered.

The thrift shop’s narrow focus on kitchen and home products is helpful to home cooks and industry professionals. If you’re trying to find a bargain on something specific, say a can opener, you might sift through housewares at other secondhand stores without luck. But at the Kitchens for Good Shop, you’ll likely find up to a dozen can openers to choose from organized in a bin along with a handbasket full of things you can’t resist or didn’t know you needed. The massive inventory is sorted by zones, making it easy to navigate. Tablescapes display dishware by colors or holiday themes, fine china and silver utensils are showcased by collection, bakeware is in a dedicated department, and even kitschy artwork adorns the walls. There are additional money-saving incentives too: Seniors receive a 15% discount on Mondays, military members get 15% off on Tuesdays, and all shoppers can score 50% off when buying items according to the deal-of-the-day colored tags.

All proceeds from the shop benefit Kitchens for Good, a San Diego-based nonprofit that offers apprenticeship programs to train beneficiaries for employment in the culinary and hospitality industries. In addition to career training, the program provides stipends, meals, transportation, and job placement services crucial to supporting the success of their students. Select products prepared by Kitchens for Good, like fresh-baked cookies and artisanal red wine vinegars, are also available to purchase. Be sure to check the calendar behind the cash register for other Kitchens for Good events and cooking class schedules. You can further support this amazing organization by enjoying soups and treats from the Kitchens for Good concession stand next time you’re at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park for a concert or performance.

The Kitchens for Good Shop accepts donations during regular store hours. Visit the website or contact the store for donation guidelines, resources, and more info.

» kitchensforgood.org

Spending the day in PB

Bookend your shopping trip by starting the day with a breakfast brioche and coffee from Wildwood Flour or swing by the iconic family-owned Leilani’s Cafe for casual Hawaiian plates served during breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Or take all the money saved on your thrifty purchases and head to The Fishery for decadent local seafood dishes and excellent craft cocktails. Check with businesses for operating hours.

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