The Arc Thrift Store 

One of Portland’s newest nonprofit thrift stores opened its doors this year and is accepting donations of usable goods and welcoming shoppers to purchase quality reused items.  

Used Goods Administrator, Dee Wright says, “Profits generated from the thrift store support our programs and allow us to expand our services into all three counties. They also give those with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities support and help them be independent in their lives and in the community.” 

The Arc Portland Metro’s mission is to provide advocacy, support, and services to people experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. And while the Arc’s thrift store is new, the organization has been collecting donations and diverting usable goods from the landfill since 2006, through their Donation Center in the Rose City neighborhood. 

Donations wanted 

The Donation Center is currently open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and accepts: 

  • Clothing 

  • Small household items 

  • Scrap metal and small electronics (for recycling through Oregon E-Cycles)

They do not have space for large furniture donations. Find more detailed information about what they do and don’t accept. 

Be thoughtful when donating 

Recently, Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Think Out Loud program highlighted the problem of wishful donations, where people drop off unusable goods that burden local nonprofits by wasting staff time and increasing the nonprofit’s garbage bill. When donating, always check the organization’s website first to confirm you’re donating the type and quality of items they can use or sell. 

Shop the thrift store 

The Arc Thrift Store, located in the Montavilla neighborhood, will be expanding its open days in early December 2021, to Tuesday through Saturday. 

Dee says, “The shopping experience is fun, with affordable and unique treasures, and items moving on and off the floor quickly.” 

She describes the store’s offering as a curated selection of household items that come from “a very good donor base.” Clothes and household items are priced to sell, many at $4.99, and they sell quickly. Some specialty items, like Pendleton, are priced higher, but deals abound. 

Dee has seen an increase of kids and teens visiting the store. A recent article in Axios, Gen Z is reinvigorating thrift stores, shares some of the reasons why, including the “thrill of the hunt” - which shoppers of all ages can relate to. And there are great finds, both vintage and new: Dee says some donated clothing arrive unworn, with the tag still on them.  

A win-win model 

In addition to keeping quality goods from going to waste and getting them into the hands of people who need them, The Arc’s Donation Center provides job experience for community members with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD). 

Both Easterseals and the Reynolds Community Transition Program for those with IDD help at the Donation Center. 

Dee shares that, “Working with the Reynolds transition group has been great. They really enjoy coming to the Donation Center to hang clothes and price donations for the store. We have now increased their group to twice a week. The Easterseals program has filled a hole in our workload both at the Donation Center and the store through processing and cashiering. Both are programs that also allow us to support these individuals in their professional growth.” 

Since The Arc Thrift Store opened in January 2021, there have been 7,304 donation drop-offs; The Arc has collected, recycled, and sold more than 26,000 pounds of scrap metal and 8,000 pounds of electronics; and sold 109,513 pounds of housewares and 172,171 of clothes.​ 

Donate, shop, and volunteer 

You can support The Arc by donating items, shopping at the thrift store, or volunteering at either location. 

Click the photo (or tap on mobile) to see more photos of The Arc Thrift Store and Donation Center. Pictured: Dee and volunteers Kris, Jesus, and Maria, working behind the scenes.