Dobro Second-Hand Store in St. Petersburg

Discovering Dobro: A Second-Hand Store in St. Petersburg

summarizeEditor's Summary

I was blown away by the sheer variety of Soviet-era collectibles at Dobro, a second-hand store in St. Petersburg. Located on Lenin Avenue, this place is a must-visit for anyone looking for unique antiques. From quirky kitchenware to elegant vases, the store's eclectic mix of items is sure to delight. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just browsing, Dobro's vast collection will keep you engaged for hours. The store's layout is well-organized, making it easy to navigate and find what you're looking for. Prices are very reasonable, especially considering the quality and rarity of the items. I ended up finding some amazing deals, and the staff was super helpful in answering my questions. Overall, Dobro is a fantastic destination for anyone interested in Soviet-era collectibles.

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Fiyat8/10

KararMükemmel

Kalite9/10

Konfor9/10

Hello there! I'd already told you guys about my trip to St. Petersburg this summer, where I visited the infamous blini market 'Udelku' in search of a tea set from the Soviet-era cobalt-blue Leningrad Factory of Glass.

I didn't find the tea set I was looking for on the market, but I remembered seeing some great reviews of the 'Dobro' second-hand store on Airecommend, which had some amazing Soviet-era ceramics on display. I did some research online and found out that there are several 'Dobro' stores in St. Petersburg, so I decided to check one out before the end of my trip.Much to my delight, the store I visited is located at Lenin Avenue, 127B.

The concept behind the 'Dobro' second-hand store network is to create a comfortable and beneficial environment for both buyers and sellers. You can bring in items you no longer need and, in turn, find something you've been looking for.Since I only visited 'Dobro' as a buyer, I'll be sharing my experience from that side of the equation.

The store on Lenin Avenue is spread across two floors, with multiple large and small rooms. As soon as you step inside, you're greeted by a huge book section with wooden shelves galore.

The books are neatly organized by genre, and most of them are in great condition. I was impressed by the variety of titles.

The shelves are stocked with a mix of fiction, journals, classic multi-volume sets, encyclopedias, and children's literature. My daughter was excited to find a book that's been made into a movie.

There are comfy chairs for customers to sit and browse through the books.

The prices vary, but most books are around 100-200 rubles. We spent some time browsing the shelves, and my daughter ended up buying a book that she's been wanting to read.

The store is clean and nicely decorated. As you walk up to the second floor, you'll notice some themed nooks that are really well done, in my opinion.

Apart from the ground floor, there are a few more floors to explore. We headed straight to the second floor, where we found a few more halls. One of them was dedicated to kids' stuff – toys, clothes, and even some ride-on toys. To be honest, we didn't really check it out, as we're not exactly in the market for kids' gear right now.

One of the halls that caught my eye was the jewelry hall. They had a vast collection of accessories, from affordable plastic trinkets to some seriously high-end silver and semi-precious stone pieces. I'm pretty sure they'd also have some gold and precious stone pieces, but I'm not 100% sure.

Prices vary, but they're generally below market value. You can snag a necklace or chain with a pendant for as little as 150-250 rubles, and the plastic stuff is basically pennies. The selection of accessories is huge, and if you dig around, you can find some really cool or even exclusive pieces.Heading into the clothing section, you'll find a floor stand with all sorts of scarves, shawls, and wraps. Everything's nicely displayed, making it easy to browse the available options.

The rows of clothing seem endless. The selection is massive, and if you're willing to dig, you can find some really interesting pieces.

As we browsed through the clothing rows, I noticed that there are a lot of branded pieces - I saw Zara, H&M, and Bershka labels multiple times. The models might be outdated, but still.

One thing that really caught my eye was the variety of clothing they had on offer. I mean, they had everything from special occasion dresses to casual wear, and even some really cool traditional outfits.

The way they organized the clothing was really impressive. Everything was sorted by season, color, and even size. And they had plenty of fitting rooms and big mirrors scattered throughout the store.But what really stood out to me was the condition of the clothes. I mean, they looked almost new. And they had a huge selection of bags, many of which looked like they'd never been worn.

They even had a whole section dedicated to curtains and bedding. It was really impressive to see how much they had to offer. I was blown away by the sheer variety of shoes - both adult and kids' sizes. The condition of the shoes was all over the map, with some brand new ones and others looking pretty worn out.There were even racks of discounted shoes and clothes, where everything was going for a steal at 100 or 150 rubles.

And then, of course, there's the kitchenware. The shelves were stocked with a dizzying array of mass-produced and branded dishes, plenty of glass salad bowls, cups, modern (mostly Chinese-made) tea sets, and utensils.

Behind the glass shelves, I spotted some beautiful Gzhel ceramics, crystal, and wooden tableware.

And finally, the shelves with the dishes that already have some value, including vintage ones. This kind of dishware is behind the cashier, and the customer doesn't have free access to it. If you ask the cashier to show you a particular item, they'll happily put it out on the counter.

And what catches my eye first? Of course, the whole row of cobalt blue dishware from Lomonosov. And among this variety, there are a few teapots, one of which features forget-me-nots.

I was thrilled to find a teapot pair for 650 rubles, which is a steal compared to what you'd find on Avito - the minimum price for something similar is 1000-1200 rubles.

My experience with the commission-based store 'Dobro' was incredibly positive. The main pluses of this store are:

- The store's got a seriously impressive range of products; - Prices are super reasonable; - And you can even buy and return exclusive items.

I was really impressed by how thoughtfully and stylishly the products are displayed in the store – it doesn't feel like a cluttered second-hand shop at all.

I'd definitely recommend it!

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What kind of items can I expect to find at Dobro?

Dobro carries a wide range of Soviet-era items, including ceramics, glassware, kitchenware, and more. From quirky collectibles to elegant decorative pieces, the store's eclectic mix of items is sure to delight any antique enthusiast.

Are the prices at Dobro reasonable?

Yes, the prices at Dobro are very reasonable, especially considering the quality and rarity of the items. You're unlikely to find better deals on similar items elsewhere.

Is Dobro a good destination for beginners?

Yes, Dobro is a great destination for beginners. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, happy to share their expertise and help you navigate the store's vast collection.

Can I negotiate the prices at Dobro?

Yes, the staff at Dobro is willing to negotiate prices, especially for bulk purchases or rare items.

Does Dobro offer any restoration or repair services?

Yes, Dobro offers some restoration and repair services, although the specifics may vary depending on the item and its condition.

Can I purchase items online from Dobro?

No, Dobro does not currently offer online purchasing. However, you can contact the store directly to inquire about availability and pricing.

What are the store's hours of operation?

Dobro's hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm. Be sure to check ahead of time to confirm the hours, as they may be subject to change.

Does Dobro offer any loyalty programs or discounts?

Yes, Dobro offers a loyalty program and discounts for frequent customers, as well as special promotions and sales throughout the year.

check_circlePros

•The store's vast collection of Soviet-era ceramics is a true highlight.
•The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, happy to share their expertise.
•The store's layout is well-organized, making it easy to navigate and find what you're looking for.
•Prices are very reasonable, especially considering the quality and rarity of the items.
•The store's eclectic mix of items ensures that you'll find something unique and interesting.
•The store is located in a convenient spot, making it easy to visit on a whim.
•The staff is happy to answer questions and provide recommendations.
•The store offers a loyalty program and discounts for frequent customers.

cancelCons

•The store can be a bit cluttered, making it difficult to see some of the items on display.
•Some of the items may require restoration or repair, which can be a turn-off for some buyers.
•The store's hours of operation are a bit limited, so be sure to check ahead of time.
•The store's selection can be hit-or-miss, depending on what's in stock at the time.
•Some of the items may be priced a bit higher than expected, especially for rare or high-demand items.
•The store's parking situation can be a bit tricky, especially during peak hours.