WesThrift
WesThrift is Wesleyan's student-run free thrift store located in the basement of the College of the Environment (284 High St). The store offers clothing, shoes and dorm essentials to all free of charge.
WesThrift was created to allow the Wesleyan community to responsibly consume and dispose of clothing and dorm essentials, while offering essential items to students who may face monetary or transportation barriers to obtaining these products elsewhere. It follows the "give what you can, take what you need" principle.
While a central aim of the store is to create a supportive space free from stigma to support FGLI and other students who are in need of free clothing and dorm essentials, ultimately, this space welcomes all.
- How does it work?
We ask that all who donate and shop at WesThrift maintain high cleanliness standards. Please wash all clothing donations before dropping them off, and wash all clothing acquired from the store before wearing.
The store operates as any other store. You browse the items, choose what you'd like, and bring it to the "cashier." All items are FREE, so there is no exchange of money, but you will be rung up by a "cashier," as we track the number of items that are "sold."
We have some reusable bags, but please bring your own if you have one.
All items at the store have been donated by members of the Wesleyan community. If you'd like to donate, please follow the guidelines below.
- Where is it and when is the store open?
Please enter through the back door of the College of the Environment (284 High Street, blue house) note: this entrance/floor is not wheelchair accessible). The door will be open when the store is open.
WesThrift is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12-1:30 PM during the academic year.
- How do I make a donation?
We love donations, but please make sure to follow the below guidelines. You can drop your donations at WesThrift when the store is open or in the gray donation bin in the backyard of the College of the Environment.
We accept
- Clothing - must be clean and gently used; please no undergarments or socks
- Shoes - wearable of all kinds and unwearable rubber-soled shoes for recycling
- Accessories
- Dorm essentials - school supplies, other small dorm room items
We do NOT accept
- Food
- Please bring non-perishable, shelf-stable food donations to the Resource Center.
- Furniture or appliances such as microwaves and mini-fridges
- Please hold onto these items and donate them to Waste Not at the end of the Spring semester or give them away via Freecycle.
- Socks or undergarments
- Please donate these items in one of the many clothing donation bins in Middletown.
- Who runs the store?
WesThrift is managed by the B Frankenstein '25 and Jazmin Alvarez '26 and run by Wesleyan Sustainability Office employees. The store was founded by Debbra Goh '24 and Annie Volker '24.
Please contact sustainability@wesleyan.edu with any questions.
- Where else can I get needed resources on campus?
Part of the mission of The Resource Center (167 High Street) is to provide resources to underrepresented and marginalized students on campus to collaboratively address the impact of injustice and inequity on the experience of underrepresented and marginalized students at Wesleyan. They have the following resources for students; learn more on their website:
- Nonperishable food
- Period products (also available at Usdan and WesWell)
- Laundry detergent sheets (also available at WesThrift, Usdan basement, High Rise laundry, Butterfields A)
- Free printing
- Event supplies (compostable dining supplies, poster-making supplies)
- Books and textbooks to borrow
- Games to borrow
Sew What
How does it work?
- Only one item can be dropped off at a time. Bring your item to WesThrift during open hours (MWF 12-1:30) and the WesThrift employees will ask you to fill out a form with your contact information and what you want done to your garment.
- Once your item has been checked in via survey, unless fitting questions are needed, you should not expect to hear from Sew What until your item is completed.
- If your item needs a very specific service or needs to be mended specifically to your body, you will need to talk to the tailors directly; they will reach out to you.
- Once your item is completed, we will email you to let you know. You can then pick up your item during WesThrift's open hours (MWF 12-1:30). You are required to pick up your tailored item within one week of alteration, or the piece will be donated to WesThrift (we will send a reminder email before that happens).
Additional Considerations:
- Pickup time may vary given breaks, demand, and other unforeseen circumstances, please bear with us as we get this program off the ground!
- It is not likely, but accidents happen. We are not liable if anything is lost or damaged while at WesThrift.
- We will not work with silk.
- This service is not a replacement for professional services, if you wish to have something altered for an important event, please consider supporting a Middletown tailor.
Rental Project
Through the Rental Project at WesThrift, students can borrow items, including an iron, vacuum, toolkit, carpet cleaner, and clothes drying racks, and recycling bins for free. The project aims to reduce waste by creating shared resources on campus. Items are rented to your student account; borrowers are responsible for returning items by the designated due date. If items are not returned, the borrower's student account will be charged at replacement cost.
How does it work?
Pick up
- Come to WesThrift during open hours (MWF 12-1:30). Ask employees about the availability of the item you want to borrow.
- If the item is available, the employee will process the rental request.
- Scan the QR code and fill out the agreement form.
Drop off
- Bring the item back to WesThrift within the loan period (most items can be rented for a week; compost buckets and recycling bins can be rented for the year). Make sure that the item is in good condition. You will get charged a fine if the item is severely damaged or has a missing piece.
- Fill out the customer survey.
Direct questions to sustainability@wesleyan.edu.