Our Goal
To educate the campus community about the responsible reuse of items while providing a valuable service to faculty, staff, and students on campus who are looking for items of use at inexpensive prices. Our reward is interacting with the campus community in an educational and fun way, with the ultimate goal of funding a student sustainability scholarship.
Operation Update
The Red Closet Thrift Shop is being restructured to better support the needs of the campus community. While we reimagine our operations, there will be no regular open hours.. We do, however, plan to offer special thrift shop events and will provide more information at a later date. We appreciate your generosity, but no new donations will be accepted until further notice.
SUNY Oneonta is very proud of the Red Closet Thrift Shop and the many students, staff and faculty who have made it a unique part of our campus for the past nine years. Its success has provided experiential learning opportunities to students, kept tons of items out of the landfill, provided an opportunity for low cost shopping and easy textile donation while supporting a student Sustainability Scholarship. We are so excited for the Thrift Shop’s next steps as it continues to exemplify the campus core values of sustainability, service and inclusivity. A big thank you to the Reuse of Apparel Club (RAC) who has led the Thrift Shop with creativity and energy since 2018 and to the many staff who have donated their time and services since 2014. For questions contact Rachel Kornhauser, Sustainability Coordinator. Rachel.kornhauser@oneonta.edu.
Donations
If you are interested in donating gently used clothing and accessories or small household items:
- Drop by the thrift store when we are open.
- Drop off items on the table located outside the store by the window.
- Drop off items in 200 Netzer (Finance and Administration) between 8:00 and 4:30.
Prices
Our policy is pay what you will (PWYW). We have a suggested price of $3 for most items, however, some items you might feel are worth more and some items less. Whatever you end up paying, it's for a great cause and we trust you think so too!
Who We Are
Conceived out of a genuine concern for the responsible reuse of materials and keeping as much consumer product out of the waste stream, the Red Closet Thrift Shop is a concerted effort by an enthusiastic group of SUNY Oneonta thrifters to find homes for quality clothing and household items that would otherwise end up in the landfill. This dedicated group of staff and students feels very strongly that, "If it has use... there is no excuse!"
If you would like to join in on the fun, we are looking for volunteers, donations, and shoppers! We are a cash-only operation reliant on volunteers and donations. All proceeds from sales fund a scholarship established for SUNY Oneonta students who demonstrate leadership and a dedication to sustainability initiatives!
New in 2018 we are excited that the Red Closet Shop has moved to a 100% student-run initiative. We have a tremendous group of students through RAC (Revival of Apparel Club) managing and marketing the operations. A diverse group of students ranging from Fashion to Sustainability is ensuring the Thrift Shop is vibrant and successful! If you are a student and would like to get involved please contact the RAC E-board at oneontaracsecretary@gmail.com.
Where we are located
We are located in the basement of Netzer... room B-9 to be precise. It's probably easiest to enter down by the receiving doors (by the dumpsters) but you can also take the stairwell or elevator down to the basement. We are located next to the copy center. Look for the red door!
What We Are Not
- We are not a consignment shop. We have to keep it simple since we have limited volunteers and time. We will gratefully accept donations of gently used items in the hopes you recognize a great cause. In exchange, we will offer great prices!
- We are not a Dumpster. We are looking for quality, clean items with re-use potential. Please be mindful of this when bringing in donations.
- We don't have the space to accept large items.
- If you have items that really do need to be disposed of, use the links below for more information about the responsible disposal of consumer items on campus or in the community.
- Otsego County Waste Management
- "Clothes" the Loop NY - textile recovery initiative in NY
- Otsego County Hazardous Waste Day
- Composting (Cornell Cooperative Extension).
- Recycling on Campus
- Student E-Waste Solution - Drop off your e-waste in the bins located in the lobby of Hunt Union. Contact our Sustainability Coordinator for more information.