East Austin thrift shop raising money to help relocate after lease ends
Jan 14, 2025
AUSTIN (KXAN) — An east Austin thrift shop is asking for community help to fund its relocation after over a decade on East Seventh Street.
Treasure City Thrift, a nonprofit-run thrift store, is moving from its current space after its current lease will not be renewed due to redevelopment, said Alma Libre with Treasure City Thrift. Its current lease ends in March.
"We're just trying to accommodate and adapt to the situation, and we definitely want to keep Treasure City open," Libre said.
Treasure City Thrift is needing to relocate from its Seventh Street location in east Austin. (KXAN Photo/Taylor Girtman)Treasure City Thrift is needing to relocate from its Seventh Street location in east Austin. (KXAN Photo/Taylor Girtman)Treasure City Thrift is needing to relocate from its Seventh Street location in east Austin. (KXAN Photo/Taylor Girtman)Treasure City Thrift is needing to relocate from its Seventh Street location in east Austin. (KXAN Photo/Taylor Girtman)
The nonprofit is finalizing a new lease in a space not far from its current location in east Austin. The new space is larger, which will allow for more retail space and, in turn, more revenue for the nonprofit. Treasure City Thrift's only funding source is thrift shop sales, Libre said.
The money raised would help pay for the store's $10,000 security deposit, the first month of rent, employee pay during the move, and relocation costs. The nonprofit's goal is to raise $25,000. So far, it has nearly $7,000 in donations.
"I'm just hoping that with the new space, we can start new and be able to have more capacity to work with other organizations and to be able to uplift our mission keeping things affordable, keeping things accessible to the neighboring communities," Libre said.
Treasure City Thrift works with local organizations to hold fundraiser thrift nights, hosts Really Really Free Market events monthly with free items and provides clothing to people experiencing homelessness, according to its fundraiser.
Donations can be made via GoFundMe.