This summer, Philadelphia AIDS Thrift is packing up and moving.
While the new store will just be around the corner, the move is expected to offer a space that will be worlds away from the cramped, crowded current shop.
PAT, which donates a portion of its proceeds to HIV/AIDS causes, has been at 514 Bainbridge St. for five-and-a-half years, but come June will call 710 S. Fifth St. home.
The new store will be headquartered in the Kroungold’s Furniture building, a space that offers three floors and two basements — a total of nearly 12,000 square feet, double PAT’s current space.
PAT co-founder and volunteer coordinator Christina Kallas said the increased room was becoming a necessity.
“We’ve really been running out of space, we’re just packed to the gills,” Kallas said, noting the move is being supported by a group of generous donors.
Currently, PAT operates a furniture warehouse across the street from the store, but the new location will allow for everything to be housed under one roof.
The top floor will be dedicated solely to processing, as a spot for volunteers to sort through the donated clothes and items.
Kallas said the move is going to span the spring.
“[The owners of the new building] have been really kind in letting us have a few months to gradually move things over there,” she said. “We’re going to be taking it slow and moving over a little bit at a time. We’re not doing the big, gigantic push yet, but that’ll happen eventually.”
The store currently has about 80 volunteers supporting its operations, and Kallas said they’ll need all hands on deck in the coming months. She said new volunteers are welcome to pitch in for the move and the several “sorting parties” she envisions PAT throwing.
The grand-opening date has not been set yet, but Kallas said she expects the move to be wrapped up by late June and the store to mark the move with a party.
PAT also celebrated another organizational milestone last week with its monthly contribution to AIDS Fund. During this month’s Gay BINGO, PAT passed along a check for $8,000, putting its total contributions to the agency since its inception at more than $250,000.
In honor of reaching 25 percent of $1 million in contributions, this weekend PAT is offering shoppers 25 percent off all merchandise in the store.
For more information, visit www.phillyaidsthrift.com.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].