Imagine walking into a thrift store where every dollar you spend genuinely saves lives. That’s the reality at Out of the Closet on East Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, a shop that has managed to fuse treasure-hunting joy with deep community purpose. Shop or donate here, and 96 cents of every dollar made goes back into HIV care and services provided by AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
The first Out of the Closet opened its doors in Los Angeles in October 1990, and since then it has expanded to 25 locations across the United States, often opening in underserved communities that welcome the award-winning retail establishment and also need access to prevention and healthcare services. The Fort Lauderdale location on Sunrise Boulevard carries that same spirit, serving as a beloved stop for locals and visitors alike who want their shopping to mean something.
What Makes This Place Special
This colorful, community-driven store features curated vintage clothing, furniture, decor, and quirky finds, all while raising funds for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s HIV prevention and treatment services. Whether you’re hunting for a one-of-a-kind fashion piece or a standout home accent, the inventory here is refreshingly diverse and constantly rotating.
You will find a mixture of clothes and furnishings to peruse, and there can be some real finds like sequin outfits you may not be able to find elsewhere. The selection skews particularly well toward men’s clothing, though shoppers of every style will find something worth flipping through the racks for.
The store is meticulously organized, featuring color-coordinated clothing sections that enhance the shopping experience and facilitate easy browsing. That kind of thoughtful layout is a genuine differentiator from your average thrift shop, making it much easier to zero in on what you’re actually looking for without digging through chaos.
Regular visitors appreciate the ever-changing stock, where each visit promises new and exciting finds. New stuff is often out just before or just after the weekend, so timing your visit around those days can pay off big if you’re hoping to catch fresh arrivals before anyone else does.
Beyond retail, this location provides free rapid HIV testing in a welcoming, stigma-free environment and even offers large-item pickup for donations. It’s a genuinely rare combination: you can drop off a furniture donation, snag a vintage jacket, and access a free health service all in one stop. With Out of the Closet’s testing model, an individual doesn’t have to go to a clinic. They can go shopping and also duck in to get testing, providing a safe space.
Out of the Closet also runs clothing drives and provides apparel for drag shows, prom nights, and other community events when groups request support, helping everyone access items for special occasions. That kind of hands-on community engagement elevates this place well beyond a standard secondhand shop.
Atmosphere and Decor
Turning the street corner, visitors are greeted with its bright pink-and-turquoise storefront and a tower brandishing its bubbly logo. The exterior alone makes a statement, signaling loud and clearly that this is not your grandmother’s dusty thrift store. Inside, the vibe carries that same cheerful, welcoming energy.
Out of the Closet is a vibrant community hub where LGBTQ+ shoppers, allies, and people from all walks of life can hang out. The atmosphere is inclusive and unhurried, the kind of place where you genuinely feel comfortable browsing without any pressure. The store is spotless and smells clean, like walking into the lobby of a nice hotel.
This unique retail destination not only offers a plethora of clothing options, particularly for men, but also showcases an impressive range of household items and accessories, making it a treasure trove for shoppers. Shelves are well-stocked and the floor plan feels open, giving you enough room to browse comfortably without feeling cramped.
Other Considerations
What can I expect to pay? Reasonable pricing is one of the store’s key appeals, with many items available at a fraction of their original costs, ensuring that shoppers can discover high-quality goods without breaking the bank. That said, like any thrift store, pricing can occasionally feel inconsistent depending on the item, so it’s worth browsing with an open mind rather than rigid expectations.
Is it worth donating here as well as shopping? Absolutely. They offer to give you a receipt right away when you donate, so you can write it off on your taxes. They also offer convenient clothing and furniture donation drop-off services, as well as donation pickup for larger items you can’t easily haul in yourself.
Is parking a hassle? Not at all. There is plenty of parking that wraps around the store in the back, making a quick in-and-out trip totally stress-free, even if you’re loading up on larger finds.
When is the best time to visit? The store is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the same hours on Saturday. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter if you prefer a more relaxed browse, while just before and after weekends is when fresh stock tends to hit the floor.
Is this a hit-or-miss kind of place? Like any thrift store, the inventory is always in flux, so no two visits are identical. Some shoppers walk out with armloads of finds at unbeatable prices, while others leave empty-handed. Some reviews do indicate that customer service can be inconsistent, with occasional reports of unfriendly interactions from staff members. But the majority of the feedback paints a picture of a clean, friendly, and well-organized shop that’s absolutely worth adding to your Fort Lauderdale itinerary.
Out of the Closet – Fort Lauderdale
📍 1785 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Website: https://outofthecloset.org/locations/fort-lauderdale-thrift-store/
