Diversity Thrift

1407 Sherwood Ave.
353-8890
diversitythrift.org

Second Place: Clementine

Third Place: Ashby

Diversity Thrift is a program of Diversity Richmond, which used to be called the Richmond Gay Community Foundation. The thrift store is a “quirky, junky, crowded, fun place,” says Bill Harrison, the nonprofit’s president and executive director. But it’s a place with a purpose. During the last 11 years, Diversity Richmond has awarded $855,000 to community organizations, such as Jewish Family Services, the Virginia Historical Society and Rosmy. Much of that money came from thrift store sales. Clementine and Ashby are sister stores. Clementine features contemporary women’s clothes, shoes and handbags on consignment. Ashby, which began as a “weekend warehouse” for Clementine’s excess inventory, took off so quickly that it, too, became a resale shop now open every day. Company partner Lyn Page says the popularity of consignment sales continues to grow “not just because they’re great ways to save money on fashion but also because of the popularity of recycling and sustainability.”