A former gas station corner lot in Columbus’s Short North neighborhood became something extraordinary on October 19, 2013 — the day Out of the Closet opened its doors and made history. Columbus welcomed the Out of the Closet Thrift Store and AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) pharmacy, marking the very first location of its kind not only in Ohio, but in the entire Midwest. What looks like a thrift store from the outside turns out to be something much more layered: a treasure hunt, a community sanctuary, and a life-saving health resource all rolled into one pink-brick building on High Street.
Out of the Closet has always been more than a thrift store — it’s a community. For over three decades, the brand has offered free HIV testing from trained clinicians in a casual, stigma-free environment. The Columbus location carries that mission forward proudly, making it one of the most purposeful places to spend an afternoon in Central Ohio.
What Makes It Worth the Visit
The diverse selection includes trendy apparel, vintage furniture, and an array of household items, ensuring that every visit reveals new surprises. Whether you’re hunting for a statement jacket, a quirky home accent, or a piece of furniture to anchor a room, the floor space here covers a seriously wide range of finds. Records, tees, mugs, and more are all fair game on any given visit — and the inventory turns over regularly, so no two trips feel the same.
Out of the Closet has a sort of “hidden treasure” theme — it’s not your average thrift store. You tend to find a lot of high-end designer clothes, new items, and the people who donate here tend to give more expensive, more usable things. That means your odds of landing a genuine gem are meaningfully higher than at a typical donation-based shop. Shoppers have walked out with designer-label clothing, quality leather goods, and even the occasional instrument — deals like a flannel for a dollar and unique items like a grand piano have been spotted on the floor.
Customers frequently praise the shop for its visually appealing layout, where items are color-coded and organized, making the shopping experience enjoyable and effortless. The color-coded tag system also powers weekly discount specials, giving regular shoppers an extra reason to keep coming back and checking what’s on sale that day.
Out of the Closet has been named the best secondhand thrift store in the area by the Ohio State community, earning 389 votes in The Lantern’s 2025 Best of OSU special edition. That kind of grassroots endorsement from the student population — who know their thrift stores better than most — speaks volumes about the quality and value you’ll find here.
The Mission Behind the Store
When you shop or donate at Out of the Closet, 96 cents of every dollar made goes into providing HIV services here and around the world — meaning you’re contributing to testing, treatment, and prevention services that save lives. That’s a remarkable figure for any nonprofit-driven retail model, and it’s something the Columbus community has clearly embraced with enthusiasm.
Also available at the Columbus location of Out of the Closet are free HIV testing and a full-service pharmacy. By being a combined thrift store and wellness center, the store is able to offer a safe space for people who may require healthcare but avoid pursuing it due to social stigmas. It’s a genuinely innovative approach — getting tested feels far less daunting when you’re already there browsing racks of vintage denim. The testing site sees 300 to 400 people a month for HIV testing, making it one of the most active community health touchpoints in the city.
Out of the Closet is proud to be an official safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community — when you shop here, you are safe, seen, and always welcome. That welcoming culture is woven into every corner of the store, making it a beloved destination not just for shoppers, but for community members who simply want a place where they belong.
Atmosphere & Décor
Five years after the Shell gas station at the corner of Fifth and High Street was leveled to the ground, Out of the Closet arose from its remnants — a concept that had never been seen before in the Short North, in Columbus, or the state of Ohio. The store’s distinctive pink brick facade gives it an immediately recognizable presence along the busy North High Street corridor, setting the tone before you even walk through the door.
Walk in and you’ll soon learn this place houses more than used clothing, home goods, and furniture. Over one doorway, a blue neon sign proclaims “Free HIV Testing,” and in a corner, another sign reads “AHF Pharmacy.” These elements give the interior a layered, purposeful feeling — part boutique thrift shop, part community resource center — that you won’t find anywhere else in Columbus.
It’s a great thrift shop with clean, hip clothes, and it seems like a lot of nice households donate here. Prices are very thrifty, with color-coded tag specials throughout the week, variety in all types of odds and ends, and a pleasant staff. The overall vibe is welcoming and unhurried — the kind of place where you can linger without feeling rushed and always stumble upon something unexpected.
Other Considerations
What are the prices like? Prices at Out of the Closet range from 50 cents to $200, covering everything from small impulse buys to higher-end curated pieces. The store carries sort of upscale thrift store items — think dress shirts in very good shape for around $20 and pants for $12 or so. For a Short North location, the pricing is genuinely competitive and refreshingly fair.
Are there any discounts available? Yes — student discounts are available, making it an especially popular stop for Ohio State students who live just down the street. The store also runs periodic nationwide sales events, including holiday and end-of-year promotions with significant percentage-off deals storewide.
Can I donate items here? Absolutely. Out of the Closet offers convenient clothing and furniture donation drop-off services, as well as donation pick-up for larger items — great news if you’ve been putting off a home cleanout. Every item you drop off becomes part of that 96-cents-per-dollar mission.
When’s the best time to go? The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter if you prefer a more relaxed browse, while weekends can draw a livelier Short North crowd. Check in regularly — inventory changes frequently, and the best finds don’t last long.
Is this a good spot for first-timers to Columbus? Genuinely, yes. The Short North location puts you steps away from some of the city’s best restaurants, galleries, and boutiques, making Out of the Closet a natural anchor for a full afternoon of exploring the neighborhood. Even if you leave empty-handed (which is unlikely), you’ll leave having experienced something uniquely Columbus.
Out of the Closet – Columbus
📍 1230 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
Website: https://outofthecloset.org
