QMNTY CLOSET, A FREE THRIFT SHOP FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AND ANYONE ELSE, IS NOW IN A STREET-LEVEL LOCATION ON EAST OHIO STREET ON THE NORTH SIDE. | PHOTO BY MUSE MAKERS@MUSEMAKERSHUB

Open for a little over a month, a new location of the QMNTY Closet — a thrift shop of free gently “loved” clothing and more — has served more than 340 people in the Pittsburgh community.

“We got the keys to this place on Feb. 6 and had a grand opening on Feb. 19,” says Melissa Sloan, manager of operations at QMNTY Closet (pronounced community) and housing director of the QMNTY Center.

The closet is a subsection of the QMNTY Center, a resource-filled spot for the LGBTQ+ community. The closet was previously located in the center’s basement and now, with their new street-level space located at 525 E. Ohio St., their items are accessible to everyone, she says.

Although they mainly serve the LGBTQ+ community, “Anyone is able to come here and shop,” Sloan says. Their mission is to aid all marginalized individuals who are not able to afford alternate shopping options.

They offer a variety of items, all for free, such as gender-inclusive clothing for all seasons, personal hygiene products, blankets and towels. Sloan says it’s a “one-stop shop for basic life necessities.”

All of these items, and more, are donated by community members. “They’re grateful to have a place where they know the things that they purchased are gonna get to a person who doesn’t have to pay for it,” Sloan says.

QMNTY CLOSET | PHOTO BY MUSE MAKERS@MUSEMAKERSHUB

They also partner with 412 Food Rescue — a nonprofit that recovers food from being wasted — which provides non-perishable foods and pantry items. Within the first week of opening they were also able to raise money for a refrigerator and freezer to store perishable items.

“At least two-three times a month I’m walking around the neighborhood giving away food,” Sloan says.

The closet runs on volunteer power and anyone who is interested can sign up on the QMNTY Center website, or show up in person to volunteer.

“I think it’ll just be a blessing to a lot of people,” Sloan says. “I think it adds a lot of hope because there’s still a lot of people doing things that aren’t terrible.”