Located in the River Park Mall between Carbone’s Pizza and Just Food Co-op, Northfield’s Clothes Closet is a retail thrift store operated by the Community Action Center (CAC) that provides clothing to the community year-round.
The store traces its roots to the 1960s, when it was founded by Church Women United as an independent business. The organization later donated the store to the CAC in the 1980s, where it continued its mission of offering affordable clothing to Northfield residents. Clothes Closet manager Jeanne Hatle said the store receives about “62,000 pounds of donations each year.”
Both volunteers and employees sort, process and display donated items. Donation hours run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on days the store is open — Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donors are asked to provide clean, wearable, in-season clothing. All proceeds support the CAC’s programs. Hatle noted that “it takes a village to get everything moving,” emphasizing that the store relies on community donations and volunteer labor.
Volunteer applications are available in-store for those interested in getting involved. Volunteers are asked to commit two hours each week for training and shifts. The Clothes Closet currently has 10 to 15 volunteers and eight to nine employees.
Hatle said her goal is to “meet the needs of the community and have people feel welcome when they come in — no matter who you are or where you’re from or what your economic status is.” She emphasized the store’s role in promoting sustainability as awareness of textile waste grows. The Clothes Closet has seen more shoppers choosing secondhand clothing as a way to reduce waste and lessen environmental impact.
“We want to lean into that with our message,” Hatle said. She added that she is working with a group of St. Olaf marketing students who are conducting an industry analysis and developing recommendations for improving the store’s social media presence.
With continued community support, the Clothes Closet hopes to expand its outreach and educate more people about the role of reusable textiles in reducing waste.
