FRANKLIN — The Thrift Clothes Closet, at 357 Central Street, has been a staple of Downtown Franklin since 1999. It has recently completed its 25th year of operation. 

It began as part of the Twin Rivers Clergy Association, along with partners Bread and Roses and the Twin Rivers Food Pantry. A group of volunteers assisted the Clergy in the operation to provide services to those in need within the Twin Rivers area. 

In 2004, the Clergy group dissolved the structure and each organization started its own 501(c)3. The Thrift Clothes Closet is operated by a Board of Directors elected by all our volunteer members. 

The Mission has never changed. It operates as a nonprofit organization that serves the needs of the communities in the Twin Rivers area. Through the generosity of our donors and the valuable contribution of our volunteers’ time (4,000-5,000 hours annually), we are able to provide affordable clothing and essential household goods to anyone.  

The organization over the years has been extremely successful. We continue to provide for the needs of many, as well as support and donate money ($14,000-$15,000 annually) and other goods to many organizations within our communities. 

Examples of our community giving include the following: Book Awards to FHS and WRHS students, Special School Requests, Holiday Celebrations, Christmas Lighting Downtown, Flower Kayaks, Franklin Outing Club, Veterans Memorial Recreation Area, Franklin Opera House, Franklin Historical Society, Bread & Roses Kitchen, Twin Rivers Food Pantry, Franklin Animal Shelter, TN Food pantry, Franklin Public Library, Mill City Park, Girl Scouts, VFW , LRSC , Tiny Twisters, and the Boy Scouts, to name a few. We continue to work with area Welfare Directors to meet the emergency or urgent needs of the residents in our communities. 

We could not do this without the support of our wonderful communities that donate items for sale. We accept clothing (all ages, all seasons) shoes, boots, household items, glassware, pictures, paintings, books, puzzles, linens, blankets, towels, jewelry, and seasonal treasures. We can store off-season items in our large basement. We serve as a drop-off area for FHS Karma Korner. 

If your family has historical local items, we serve as a drop-off station for the Franklin Historical Society. In the last year, we assisted three families by going on-site to pack up donations for the store. When you shop here you transform lives. Current Hours: 9 AM to 3 PM, Wednesday through Friday; Saturday, 10 AM to 1 PM.