Overview

Start your secondhand journey at the Lakewood Shopping Center, home to The Scrap Exchange, a Durham institution nationally recognized for its commitment to reuse. Piled high within The Scrap Exchange are any number of items to fuel a full day of craft-making, home renovations or art projects. Scrap fabric, clippings from vintage magazines, lumber, light fixtures, metals, buckets of buttons — you name it, and The Scrap Exchange probably has it.

Design Studio

Area: 600

Configuration	Occupancy
Reception	25
Banquet	25

Lounge

Area: 400

Configuration	Occupancy
Reception	40
Banquet	0

Make N Take room

Area: 2,400

Configuration	Occupancy
Reception	75
Banquet	60

Google Rating

4.7

T G 7 months ago

What a great idea to reuse, repurpose, and revamp donated items. It’s wild to see something as simple as toilet paper rolls being donated, but honestly they’re awesome for anyone who needs supplies for a craft project. There are so many small knickknacks with so many versatile uses! There is fabric scraps, fabric rolls, yarn, sewing stuff, knitting needles for $1 a pair, crochet hooks, tools, wood, miscellaneous electrical stuff, ribbon, rocks, bottle caps, eggs cartons, beer tops, fast food straws, glasses, Christmas stuff, packing and shipping, office supplies, plastic containers, chairs, spray paint, gardening, wine corks, random puzzle pieces, beads, buttons, leather, belt buckles, bra straps … so much more. Stores like this should exist in every state and major city. One person’s junk truly becomes another person’s treasure here.

I was really interested in the Brother Cover stitch machine - however after talking to an employee and getting the full transparency on the machine decided to not get it. It’s not her fault! Eventually I would have realized in the store what was wrong with it. If I needed parts - this would have been awesome find. But checking the brother website the main parts needed to close up the machine were not available. It was becoming more of finding all the missing parts rather than like just a pressure foot missing, missing needles, or even just a missing foot pedal would have been easier than replacing who knows all what else. I’m sure someone else will snag this and be over the moon! It just couldn’t have been me and I’ll live in regret but I’ll find it when it’s meant to be 😅

The only downsides here were the music and the smell of the bathroom. The bathroom reeked while just passing by it. Aside from that, the customer service was great! They offer workshops too, some are free and some are priced as high as $55. The store really has something for everyone at great prices!
TuxedoKat Imaginarium 10 months ago

Youve been looking for this place your entire life. With all kinds of people and creatures walking around inside, this is a safe place to be anything you want to be… and also shop donated trash and discarded objects. Prices are decent. It is tough to find anyone who works there though… you can get lost in the layout. But there is also an art gallery with works you can ogle and be inspired by. Pack a lunch cause this place will take you all day.
Zoe Camille Keeler 4 months ago

This is legitimately the best materials reuse store in the country. I’ve lived all over and have never seen a place like this. So organized, so affordable, they have literally anything you could be looking for. Incredible resource that is good for the community and good for the environment!

Seriously the worst part of leaving the triangle area has been not having access to a place like the scrap exchange. Every time I pass through town I stop by because I love it so much.
Mansi Jain 2 months ago

A delight for creative people.. I loved exploring the store and was amazed by all that “trash” which could be reused. It’s such a phenomenal space and the offerings are incredible! However, be careful with the pricing at the check out counter. I was charged $4 for 4 sheets of cardstock paper, which should have been priced at $1 per pound as per the marked priced. It’s very unfair and unethical.
T Bone 3 weeks ago

In communicating with Anthony, he brings an unmatched level of positive energy to every single interaction. Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable about everything Scrap who has the ability to carry an intelligent conversation, but he also has a rare gift for making you feel like family. He makes an effort to know all customers by name. His genuine desire to help, go the extra mile, and lift customers up is infectious and shines through in everything he does. I’ve never met anyone that is so dedicated to customers and that goes to this level of service, who also makes you feel good with his positive energy and can do attitude - If you happen to stop by, don’t forget to say hi to Anthony!!