Out of the Closet – Brooklyn

About Out of the Closet – Brooklyn

Out of the Closet operates with a financial transparency that most non-profit organizations can only aspire to: 96 cents of every dollar raised through its thrift stores goes directly to HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and advocacy. That is not a marketing claim — it is audited and documented, and it distinguishes Out of the Closet from organizations that use social mission language while directing only a fraction of revenue toward actual programs. Free HIV testing is available at the Brooklyn Atlantic Avenue location, operated in partnership with healthcare providers. This makes Out of the Closet genuinely unusual among retail operations: a place where you can shop for a coat, drop off a donation, and receive a health screening in the same visit. For community members without regular healthcare access, the in-store testing is a meaningful service independent of the retail function. The shopping experience is a standard thrift operation: clothing, shoes, housewares, books, and periodic furniture donations from the Atlantic Avenue corridor. Volume is high enough that the floor stays well-stocked, and prices are accessible — most clothing runs $4–$10, household goods similarly affordable. The Atlantic Avenue location benefits from donations from Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, and Carroll Gardens residents, which tends toward quality. The most rewarding visits come a day or two after the store has processed a significant donation haul. Weekday morning visits, when the floor has been freshly organized and foot traffic is low, are typically the best shopping experience.