New Out of the Closet Thrift Store Increases HIV/AIDS Services in Chicago’s Southside

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will open its new Out of the Closet Thrift Store location on Saturday, January 31, 2026 in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Local leaders will join AHF executives for a ribbon cutting at 1:00pm at 1709 E. 53^rd Street, Chicago, IL.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Out of the Closet Thrift Store (OTC), the nation’s largest nonprofit thrift store chain supporting HIV/AIDS healthcare and advocacy, announces the opening of its newest location in Hyde Park. The store will offer affordable, high-quality clothing, furniture, and home goods, with $0.96 of every dollar earned supporting lifesaving HIV/AIDS services provided by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). The OTC will also offer a non-judgmental, stigma-free, environment to receive confidential, free HIV testing.

Local elected officials and other dignitaries will join AHF leadership for a ribbon-cutting at 1:00pm, Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 1709 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615

WHAT:	Ribbon Cutting for Out of the Closet Thrift Store
WHEN:	Saturday, January 31, 2026 1:00pm CST
WHERE:	Out of the Closet Thrift Store, 1709 E. 53^rd Street, Chicago, IL 60615
WHY:	According to AIDSvu.org, close to 20,000 people in Chicago were living with HIV and nearly half were Black individuals, despite Black residents making up a smaller share of the population. The new OTC Hyde Park location expands its mission to provide accessible thrift shopping while directly funding and providing HIV/AIDS testing, treatment, and prevention services. The opening also brings new jobs and a community-focused retail space to the neighborhood.
WHO:	The Honorable Kam Buckner, State Representative, IL-District 26
	The Honorable Jawaharial “Omar” Williams, State Representative, IL-District 10
	Staci Mullins, Midwest Regional Director, AHF
	Jonathan Kruyer, General Manager, Out of the Closet Thrift Store
	Other invited elected officials, civic and community leaders
	The Hyde Park location is the second location in metro Chicago, with the first store opening

The Hyde Park location is the second location in metro Chicago, with the first store opening February 2019, at its current location at 3311 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60657. Out of the Closet Stores are open Monday – Saturday, 10:00am – 7:00pm, Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm.

AHF also provides healthcare and wellness services, at its locations located at: 2600 South Michigan Ave, Chicago; 3325 North Halsted Street, Chicago; 3311 North Halsted Street, Chicago and through the organizations local affiliate organizations: Southside Help Center, 10420 South Halsted Street, Chicago and CALOR, 3201 West North Avenue, Chicago.

Learn more about AHF at www.aidshealth.org

Out of the Closet Thrift Store:

Out of the Closet is a nonprofit thrift store chain operated by AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Since 1988, Out of the Closet has generated millions of dollars to support HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and advocacy services worldwide.