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We thank you for your co-operation and understanding with this. Ohmega Salvage will continue to be fully open on Saturdays only from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. During the week we take appointments on Thursdays & Fridays from 2:00 pm till 5:00 pm. Appointments are best made by email although doing so by phone will also work too. We are fully closed and not available on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Thanks for your continued support and understanding! Due to reduced staffing it is no longer possible to purchase items directly from our webpage.
Services
People often wonder about the spelling of the "Ohmega" in Ohmega Salvage. Our name is a synthesis of two concepts: 'Ohm's law, ' the measure of electrical resistance to power (as they said to themselves "Hum, Hum"), and the Greek symbol Omega, the final letter in the Greek alphabet--signifying that an object can be reborn even when at the apparent end of its life. The original logo for the store was designed by a local artist, who also designed album covers for many famous rock groups at the time.
Ohmega Salvage acquires items in three ways : we receive items as donation, we trade for items & we purchase items for cash or store credit. 1. 5. Are you able transport the items to hmega Salvage in Berkeley, CA?*
We now allow online purchasing! If its more convenient, you can pay in person or over the phone. We can keep all purchased items in will call for 1 week and accept all major credit cards, except Discover. Happy shopping! We're happy to hold any item for up to 24 hours.
Reviews (30)
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Maurice F.
Jun 03, 2022
Great selection of plaster medallions -- antique sconces, and chandeliers-- I wish I had spent more time there
Hector F.
Feb 20, 2022
I was looking for a specific vintage sink in working condition and Paul located one for me in couple of days!
Robert Sanderson
Jan 07, 2022
Little pricey on a few items but overall there great, used old house kind of stuff. If you need to match something on your older house that's the place to go.
Bryce N.
Dec 21, 2021
The go to place for missing vintage house parts (doorknobs, hinges, etc.). They take donations also. I work on construction sites sometimes and will grab lamps, electrical fixtures, door hardware and bring it in. Way better organized than Urban Ore, way higher prices also.
Derek Partridge
Nov 10, 2021
If you're looking to find the key to your old doors, you might try your luck here! Friendly and helpful staff can help you find many historic treasures for your home and beyond.
Sabrina B.
Oct 23, 2021
We are in the process of remodeling a 50's era home and this was suggested by our contractor. We spend a weekend in Berkeley focused solely on items for the new home. This place is everything I ever wanted, never knew I wanted and DEFINITELY did not plan appropriately to bring home. They keep the areas as clean and labeled as possible but it still feels like you are on an episode of "American Pickers." We found some amazing items and were saddened we drove our small SUV down instead of renting a giant UHAUL.

Beautiful French doors, corner cabinetry and era appropriate medicine cabinets. The only thing we could fit in the car was a medicine cabinet. All original and only $25. We have a lifetime of projects in front of us so I am quite sure I will be back here soon. with a bigger vehicle for sure. Parking is kind of a pain in the butt so be ready to search for a parking spot on a busy weekend.
George S.
May 25, 2021
Fantastic find of collectables and home furnishings. Love the place. Wish I could buy it all. They even sell plaster cast moldings for chandelier medallions and wall fixtures. Great place for stain glass, door knobs, antique hinges, and more. Gotta support our local businesses too.
Andrea C.
May 04, 2021
Love this place! Happy hunting. Parking is a bit tough but if your committed it might be worth it.
John Neal
Dec 07, 2020
Love this place, forgot to post a picture of our completed bathroom vanity (added a marble top and sink). Thanks y'all!
Laura R.
Nov 29, 2020
Have been coming here for years. Always something to cool to look at and buy. Mostly salvage and the other store front has beautiful new and gorgeous reproductions of items for older homes from all eras. Definitely worth checking out if you have an older home or eclectic taste
Michael Roberts
Nov 13, 2020
Some really cool finds here if you are antique shopping or looking for some salvaged items for your home. Old glass door knobs, vintage lamps and fixtures, beautiful old furniture, it's fun to browse.
Pete G.
Sep 12, 2020
Absolute dismal experience. Owner walks around, lost, understaffed, going out of his way telling you why he can't help u. Only open two days a week. Totally swamped. Won't hire help. Charging top dollar for items. Chandeliers that sell for 295 on eBay sold here for $1250. This place needs to circle the drain. Outlived it's usefulness for our community.

Nothing ever seems to last in Berkeley because resident business owners attempt to rip us off while offering us terrible service. No care or concern, just a take it or leave it attitude. Done.
Leslie G.
Aug 08, 2020
Ohmega is a recycler's dream! They have an incredible array of indoor and outdoor items carefully saved from properties lost to us. I bought a set of pocket doors and 6 other redwood doors to outfit an addition in a Los Gatos Victorian. Steve was extremely knowledgeable and patiently spent 1-2 hours with me over two visits to sort through doors and match dimensions to my door specs. Highly recommend for anyone redirecting or renovating a home.
George S.
Jun 22, 2020
What a fantastic find. Though how I found it was because I applied for a job there. Well, I didn't get the job, but if you're into good deals, antiques, and reusing salvaged goods, this is the place for you. I managed to find a variety of goods there including a Japanese Maple. I wish I had more money, I would have bought more. I do plan on going back for more great finds. The staff there are great too, very friendly. Included are just a few finds I discovered there on my last trip.
Mike Leibowitz
Jun 08, 2020
What a find! This place has everything you need to restore a Victorian home. it has the most amazing architectural pieces. You can find bricks, cornices, fixtures, door knobs, statues, gates stained glass, ceiling medallions, magnificent furniture.
Hayley A.
Mar 24, 2020
Lots of great items to look at. Anything nice is pretty expensive, but if you're looking for interesting cabinetry accoutrements, yard art, or that special piece to pop in your garden or foyer, this is the spot. It's worth coming and going once and a while to see what's new (aka old!).
Stephanie P.
Oct 29, 2019
I've just noticed that I reviewed this place 7 years ago, so it's time for an update! 1. STILL open on Sundays! Yay! 2. Now consolidated from two sides of San Pablo Ave to just one side, the west side, near East Bay Nursery. 3. Better curated and easier to sift through piles that don't feel as scattered or endless or hopeless. (If you're afraid of salvage yards this one really is several cuts above and well worth the visit!) 4. Knowledgable and long-term employees.

Really helps with the local flavor. Of very sad note: In conversation with one of the above-mentioned longtime employees, I learned that fewer and fewer people are opting for old in their homes, and some of the treasured finds here sit longer than they should. This is a shame. I remember when the first time I could get my hands on antique door hardware I was going to replace the HIDEOUS 1980s brass crap on my 1910 front door.

I came HERE and of course they had what I needed. If you purchased an older home because you value period details, remember you can always come here with pictures and get excellent help. You don't have to know how to change out door hardware yourself; all you need is pictures, a resource like this, YouTube videos, and *maybe* sometimes a handyperson.

Also remember that smart homes have a lot of dumb failures. When I got my 1917 house, there was a stick-on plastic doorbell that didn't work, attached with two-sided tape. I bought a gorgeous period doorbell here and had my electrician give it a go when here working on another project. Now--no plastic! And a working bell! On my last visit I found all kinds of gorgeous light fixtures and shades, and there was some really cool theater seating/benches.

Or church? Either way, super-neat and a special find. And OMG the cutest little 5-ft Victorian bathtub. Plus, they had the antique switchplate cover I was looking for. This place is a community gem, with a history. You should swing by periodically and see what you see. There's always something inspiring or special. And you're recycling/reusing and supporting a longtime local business!
Lezlie K.
May 15, 2019
Fun place to shop, although there are places with better deals, you'll probably find something that will serve your needs. However - don't bother taking anything to them you need to liquidate. They won't go out of thier way and the woman who works there really does not know vintage or antiques. They'll ask you to "donate" and offer nothing in return except - maybe if you are lucky - a little shop credit.

As Omega Salvage is a for-profit company, this is not a thing I would do. There are plenty of non-profit organizations that support good causes you can donate to without supporting a for-profit business' and their "bottom line."
Lorraine Sanders
Dec 31, 2018
It used to be my first stop when I was looking for items to repurpose, now it's not even on my list. the prices are ridiculous. too bad, I still need items for my projects, but I no longer waste my time going there thinking I will get a great deal on some unique item. to bad, I'm glad I got what I got when it was reasonable. sad, and disappointed.
David C.
Jun 25, 2018
Great variety of everything and anything you can imagine. Great prices. We've gotten amazing pieces from here vintage doors and windows. Our bathroom tub (and they have recommended vendors). Amazing light fixtures and furniture and more.
Chris M.
Apr 18, 2018
I feel a little bad giving just two stars because the people here are nice and they have some cool stuff. I just can't get over the prices--they're completely detached from reality. I'm all about restoring homes to their original beauty, but come on, get real guys. Why would I buy a 100 year old sink with chips all over it for $500 when I can buy a flawless, high quality reproduction for $400, or go down to Urban Ore and buy virtually the same thing for half the price?

I tried to buy a craftsman dining room built-in a few years ago, but they wouldn't budge from their $1,200 price point. It was going to need a pretty extensive refurbishing, and I just couldn't justify that kind of price They're offering salvage yard items at boutique prices. They need to up their game and sell nearly flawless or fully cleaned/repaired vintage items if they want to charge the prices they're asking.

The fact that they just had to downsize from 2 locations to 1 tells me they aren't being honest with themselves about what their inventory is worth. These days, it's much easier to locate good quality vintage items online for less. If they're going to stock mediocre quality items, the price needs to reflect it.
Steve T.
Jan 07, 2018
Wife found a hard to find glass piece for a lamp we broke. Great place to find missing pieces for antiques or to decorate with vintage parts. Impressed with their collections of hinges, locks and door knobs. Lots of glass windows and old doors also.
John Knowles
Dec 19, 2017
Good place to scrounge around for collectables and antiques. However you need to pay attention to the prices on things at the store on the west side of San Pablo Ave. They are closer to standard retail for the respective antiques. A true urban prospector experience. Friendly staff.
Michael P.
Oct 10, 2017
I've been coming to Ohmega Salvage for 15+ years and have always had a great experience. This doesn't mean they always have everything I'm looking for--do you really expect any place to have every imaginable part for a 100-year old house? and when they do have the part, it'll be under 10 bucks? Again, what you're getting from Ohmega is very old, well-constructed hardware from a bygone era.

If you walk into the store with that in mind, I think you'll be very satisfied. A recent set of visits to the store is representative of the excellent service you can expect. I worked with Danielle and she devoted more than an hour in trying to help me find replacement parts and fix old door hardware. She was patient, friendly and very helpful.

In the process of searching through many bins of parts, she took the time to open up various mechanisms, explain the problems and how to fix them. We were able to refurbish a few and find some parts I was looking for. I still had a few outstanding issues when we had finished, and she kindly provided the names of other local merchants that also carried vintage hardware. In my book, this was a great outcome: I learned more about the old-time hardware in my home and found some of the near-impossible-to-find parts I needed.
Ammy C.
Jun 20, 2017
I become emotional when I come to Ohmega. I'm depressed because Ohmega sells beautiful architectural and decorative pieces that once belonged in homes now demolished or mutilated. I'm also euphoric because they have what I need to restore my Craftsman home. There are three Ohmega stores situated within two blocks of each other. Two of them (they are across the street from each other) sell wonderful original salvaged pieces and the third store (a few blocks away) sells brand new reproductions.

Their focus is on pieces from pre-1950. All salvaged items sold are in good condition and prices are not dirt cheap, but you will discover hard to find pieces that will help complete your projects. The store that sells reproductions is absolutely fascinating to go through. The stores and their website are very organized, so you won't have to rummage through bins for items. Helpful staff, credit cards accepted and parking in the street. Website: http://www.ohmegasalvage.com/
Gregory Taylor
May 17, 2016
Lots of interesting stuff here. Ranges from classic cars to fireplace mantles. We went here looking for doorknobs, and weren't' disappointed with the selection. Staff was friendly as well. The prices are very high overall, so keep that in mind going in the gates.
Tierney H.
Apr 03, 2016
Salvage this place is not. It is an overpriced outdoor antique store. Much of the merchandise is in very bad shape having been left outside to fade and rot. Plus side, smells less like cat pee than Urban Ore. A faded print of John Paul II in a broken frame will set you back $85. Not today, Satan.
Cat L.
Mar 23, 2016
Despite the "salvage" in the name, don't come in here expecting low prices! You'd think from the piles of junk (albeit artfully arranged) that things would for reasonably low prices, but I am always floored by the markup on this stuff. I saw a bunch of tiny planter pots being sold for $10 or more, which is nuts because I know they'd cost less from the garden supply store across the street and those would be in perfect condition and not covered in grime.

The thing that really drives me nuts about this place is how much is NOT for sale. Look, I get that they need to keep some shelving and what not for displays, but every time I'm in here, they tell me they aren't selling the colorful stools or bench I'm interested in. Why is all this stuff out, at the entrance no less, if you're not selling it? At least put a sign up. I'll stick with Urban Ore instead.
Terry T.
May 24, 2013
Ohmega isn't as junky as some of the other nearby salvage companies. I don't need anything so I haven't bought anything. I'm sure what I have to sell would not be good enough or old enough to be of interest to them. However, I like to stop in now and again to see what I might find to photograph here. The last time I stopped in I fell in love with a Victorian Toy Horse Tricycle.

I have no place to showcase this wonderful horse and it is really way-way out of my budget. I kind of hope they don't sell it to soon. I would like to wander in the store and admire this magnificent piece a few more times.
Cheryl M.
Mar 10, 2013
One side of the street houses the pricier salvaged items from mansions! Mantles, massive wood pocket doors, ceiling medallions, vintage light fixtures and large statuary.all those items that made you wish you had oodles of money. The other side of the street has hardware, knobs, colored sinks and toilets that make me think its time to remodel my master bathroom as my pink sink and toilet is actually worth something. Fun place to look but came out empty handed (this time) as the good stuff (it seems) have already been snagged by people who own stores to re-sell.