The Downtown Women's Center marked 25 years of its Thrift City store at a press conference. Executive director Diann Gilmore welcomed customers and community members as they arrived. Thrift City was the first of the center's three thrift stores. The others are Thrift City Too and Uptown Shoppe, which moved inside Thrift City in 2022 from its former location in Wolflin Square.
Gilmore said the store's milestone reflects community support. She said proceeds from every donated item are sold and go toward funding the center's staff of 40 and the women and children it serves in its shelters. She said Thrift City has given away more than $1 million in merchandise over the past 25 years, at thrift store prices.
The center is fundraising to buy an apartment complex that would provide affordable housing for people who complete its program, Gilmore said. To mark the anniversary, items at all of the center's thrift store locations are 25% off through Saturday.