Out of the Closet
{{Short description|American thrift store chain}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Out of the Closet
| logo = Out of the Closet logo.png
| logo_size = 220px
| type =
| founded_date = 1990
| founder = Michael Weinstein
| location = 4905 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, California
| origins = Atwater Village, Los Angeles, California
| key_people = Michael Weinstein, President
Laura Nelson, CFO
| area_served = California, Florida
| product = Pre-owned merchandise
| focus =
| method =
| revenue = 5.8 million (2006) [http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments//2007/954/112/2007-954112121-04a5fdde-9.pdf IRS Form 990 (2007)]
| endowment =
| num_volunteers =
| num_employees =
| num_members =
| subsid =
| owner = AIDS Healthcare Foundation
| homepage = [http://www.outofthecloset.org www.outofthecloset.org]
}}
Out of the Closet is a nonprofit chain of mission-driven thrift stores whose revenues provide medical care for patients with HIV/AIDS.{{Cite web |last=Hastey |first=Alicia |last2=Shamlian |first2=Janet |last3= |first3= |last4= |first4= |last5= |first5= |date=2025-06-12 |title=Thrifting interest explodes for Americans worried about rising clothing prices and waste - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/thrifting-interest-explodes-for-americans-worried-rising-clothing-prices-waste/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} The chain is owned and operated by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a Los Angeles, California-based charity that provides medical, preventive, and educational resources for patients. AHF is the largest nonprofit HIV/AIDS healthcare, research, prevention, and education provider in the world.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-02 |title=World's largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization opens center in Austin |url=https://www.fox7austin.com/news/worlds-largest-hiv-aids-healthcare-organization-opens-center-austin |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=FOX 7 Austin |language=en-US}} According to AHF, there are 25 OTC stores in nine U.S. states.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-17 |title=Out of the Closet Stores Step Up Wildfire Relief |url=https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20250116666865/out-of-the-closet-stores-step-up-wildfire-relief |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Morningstar, Inc. |language=en}}
Out of the Closet (OTC) thrift stores generate income to help fund the medical services AHF provides for those patients who are unable to pay. Proceeds from OTC thrift stores directly benefit AHF, with 96 cents of every dollar taken in at a thrift store going toward providing HIV/AIDS care.{{Cite web |title=10 Best Thrift Stores in New Orleans |url=https://www.whereyat.com/best-thrift-stores-new-orleans |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Where Y'at New Orleans |language=en}} At certain OTC locations, the organization provides free rapid HIV testing and medication pick-up services through AHF pharmacies, in addition to men's and women's clothing, furniture, dishes, decor, books, albums, and other products.{{Cite web |last=Bammerlin |first=Abby |title=Out of the Closet combines thrift store with mission to improve health of those with HIV |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/07/13/out-of-the-closet-columbus-thrift-store-free-hiv-testing/7614624001/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-02 |title=All-in-one HIV health care center opens in Central Austin |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/health/hiv-health-care-center-austin-aids-foundation/269-ce3a37fd-8830-464e-894b-4de60da54028 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=kvue.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Readers Poll Winner Highlight — Best Vintage or Used Clothing Store: Out of the Closet 2021 |url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/best-of/2021/goods-and-services/readers-poll-winner-highlight-best-vintage-or-used-clothing-store-out-of-the-closet-29860051 |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Orlando Weekly |language=en}}
__TOC__
Background
File:OutOfTheClosetCBus.jpg district of Columbus, Ohio, at 5th Avenue and High Street.]]
Out of the Closet was founded by AHF president Michael Weinstein, whose retail experience stemmed from his family's furniture business on the East Coast. He opened the first location in Atwater Village in 1990. The "Out of the Closet" name has been federally trademarked by AHF since 1997.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-17 |title=No, Out of the Closet Thrift Store in WeHo is Not Closing for Good on Santa Monica Blvd - WEHO TIMES West Hollywood News, Nightlife and Events |url=https://wehotimes.com/no-out-of-the-closet-thrift-store-in-weho-is-not-closing-for-good-on-santa-monica-blvd/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2008-11-10 |title="Out of the Closet" Trademark Settlement |url=https://ipwatchdog.com/2008/11/10/out-of-the-closet-trademark-settlement/id=249/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=IPWatchdog.com {{!}} Patents & Intellectual Property Law |language=en}}File:Seattle, WA (2022) - 098.jpg
There are more than 20 OTC locations throughout the United States, including the Los Angeles area, San Francisco Bay Area, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, and New York City.https://locations.outofthecloset.org/ An OTC location opened in Capitol Hill, Seattle in 2014.{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Bryan |date=2014-05-14 |title=Out of the Closet thrift shop plus HIV/AIDS center opening in Pike/Pine this summer |url=https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2014/05/out-of-the-closet-thrift-shop-plus-hivaids-center-opening-in-pikepine-this-summer/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=CHS Capitol Hill Seattle News |language=en-US}} A Houston location opened in 2019, followed by an Austin opening in 2024.{{Cite web |date=2019-08-29 |title=Out of the Closet Thrift Store Opens in Houston |url=https://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2019/08/out-of-the-closet-thrift-store-opens-in-houston/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=OutSmart Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Flores |first=Zara |date=2024-06-07 |title=Out of the Closet Thrift Stores offering second-hand goods, STD testing in downtown Austin |url=https://communityimpact.com/austin/south-central-austin/business/2024/06/07/out-of-the-closet-thrift-stores-offering-second-hand-goods-std-testing-in-downtown-austin/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Community Impact |language=English}}
In addition to regular thrift store operations, several stores offer healthcare services, including free rapid HIV and STD testing on a walk-in basis, along with counseling in a separate location of the store.{{Cite web |last=Flores |first=Zara |date=2024-06-07 |title=Out of the Closet Thrift Stores offering second-hand goods, STD testing in downtown Austin |url=https://communityimpact.com/austin/south-central-austin/business/2024/06/07/out-of-the-closet-thrift-stores-offering-second-hand-goods-std-testing-in-downtown-austin/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Community Impact |language=English}} AHF also provides wraparound services with no barriers to treatment, such as connecting patients with case managers and health benefits counselors, with the end goal of HIV suppression.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-07 |title=At a new Austin clinic, you can get tested for HIV or thrift a new sweater |url=https://www.kut.org/health/2024-08-07/at-a-new-austin-clinic-you-can-get-tested-for-hiv-or-thrift-a-new-sweater |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Atlanta |first=Rebecca Grapevine, Healthbeat |date=2025-05-30 |title=Georgia tops states in new HIV cases. Here are 10 easy ways to get tested in Atlanta. |url=http://roughdraftatlanta.com/2025/05/30/free-hiv-testing-in-atlanta/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Rough Draft Atlanta |language=en-US}}
OTC locations have provided free clothing for transgender and gender non-conforming students at colleges and universities, such as Roanoke College in Virginia.{{Cite web |title=Out of the Closet provides free clothing for transgender and gender non-conforming students |url=https://www.roanoke.edu/news/out_of_the_closet |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=www.roanoke.edu |language=en}}
Accolades
Out of the Closet thrift stores have garnered various accolades. Out South Florida named the OTC location in Wilton Manors the “Best Thrift Store in Broward County” in 2023 and 2024,{{Cite web |last=Rasura |first=Mary |date=2023-12-08 |title=The Best Thrift Store in Broward Goes to... |url=https://outsfl.com/your-choice-awards/the-best-thrift-store-to-shop-at-in-broward-is |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Out South Florida |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |last=Angelo |first=Pier |date=2024-12-01 |title=The Best Thrift Store in Broward Goes to... |url=https://outsfl.com/your-choice-awards/the-best-thrift-store-in-broward-goes-to |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Out South Florida |language=en-gb}} in addition to similar awards in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando.{{Cite web |title=Best Thrift Store - Out of the Closet |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/best-of/2020/readers-choice/best-thrift-store-11764860 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Miami New Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-01 |title=The Best of Fort Lauderdale 2024 Winners – Fort Lauderdale Magazine |url=https://fortlauderdalemagazine.com/the-best-of-fort-lauderdale-2024/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |language=en-US}}
In 2024, OTC was named the “Best Local Resale or Thrift Store” in Houston,{{Cite web |date=2024-10-15 |title=OutSmart’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards Winners |url=https://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2024/10/outsmarts-2024-readers-choice-awards-winners/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=OutSmart Magazine |language=en-US}} and one of the best thrift stores for “secondhand savings” in Dallas.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-07 |title=9 Best Thrift Stores in Dallas for Texas-Size Secondhand Savings |url=https://www.sustainablejungle.com/thrift-stores-dallas/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=www.sustainablejungle.com |language=en-AU}} That same year, the Columbus, Ohio location was recognized for its free HIV testing services.{{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/the-10-best-thrift-stores-in-columbus-ohio/ss-BB1mRuHo |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=www.msn.com}}
References
External links
{{Commons category|Out of the Closet}}
- [http://www.aidshealth.org AIDS Healthcare Foundation]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Out Of The Closet}}
Category:1990 establishments in California
Category:Atwater Village, Los Angeles
Category:HIV/AIDS organizations in the United States
Category:Non-profit organizations based in Los Angeles
Category:Organizations established in 1990