Out of the Closet
Founded1990
FounderMichael Weinstein
Location
OriginsAtwater Village, Los Angeles, California
Area served
California, Florida
ProductPre-owned merchandise
OwnerAIDS Healthcare Foundation
Key people
Michael Weinstein, President
Laura Nelson, CFO
Revenue
5.8 million (2006) [1]
Websitewww.outofthecloset.org

Out of the Closet is a nonprofit chain of thrift stores whose revenues provide medical care for patients with HIV/AIDS. The chain is owned and operated by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a Los Angeles–based charity that provides medical, preventive, and educational resources for patients. AHF is the nation's largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare, research, prevention, and education provider. Out of the Closet thrift stores generate income to help fund the medical services AHF provides for those patients who are unable to pay. Proceeds from Out of the Closet Thrift Stores directly benefit AHF.

Background

An Out of the Closet location in The Short North district of Columbus, Ohio, at 5th Avenue and High Street.

Out of the Closet was founded by AHF president and co-founder 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.

Out of the Closet, Capitol Hill, Seattle, 2022

There are now over 20 Out of the Closet locations throughout the United States, including four locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, three in Texas, five locations in Florida (including Orlando, St Petersburg and Miami), one in Ohio (in Columbus), and a location in New York City.[2] A location opened in Capitol Hill, Seattle, in 2014.[3]

In addition to regular thrift store operations, several stores also offer additional services, including free rapid STD and HIV testing on a walk-in basis, along with counseling in a separate location of the store.

References

  1. ↑ IRS Form 990 (2007)
  2. ↑ https://locations.outofthecloset.org/
  3. ↑ Cohen, Bryan (2014-05-14). "Out of the Closet thrift shop plus HIV/AIDS center opening in Pike/Pine this summer". CHS Capitol Hill Seattle News. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
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