The Clothing Depot has been part of the New Ulm community since 1971 and has been located on S. Franklin Street since the beginning. On Dec. 1, the Depot’s building was sold, requiring the non-profit to find a new location.

Clothing Depot manager Lori Hoffmann said the owner of the Franklin building did a great service to the community by allowing a non-profit to operate there for over 40 years. She wished to extend her thanks for that assistance.

Throughout December, the Clothing Depot was in a scramble to find a new location. Fortunately, Ken Gramstad contacted Hoffman about a space he had available.

“He’s committed to community service too,” she said.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Racks of clothing have been organized and are waiting for the re-opening of the Clothing Depot in its new location, 101 N. Broadway. The reopening is planned for Jan. 28

The actual moving day occurred during an early December snow storm. Fortunately the Depot had enough volunteers to make the process go smoothly. Organizing the

donations at the new location has taken another month, but the Depot is now prepared to open again before the end of the month.

The Clothing Depot provides free clothing items and miscellaneous household items to area families. No referrals are needed, but the Depot now requires users to fill out an application. Based on the applications the clients will be limited to a certain number of items per month.

All the items available at the Depot were donated and sorted by volunteers. Volunteers at the Clothing Depot said with the early winter, coats have been flying off the racks in the recent week. The need for coats, hoodies, sweaters, blankets and anything warm is crucial. The Depot needs items for children as well as adults.

In addition to clothing, the Depot will take bedding, curtain, drapes, dishes, cookware, purses, kids toys, games and books. The only items the Clothing Depot cannot accept are furniture, food or electrical appliances.

Hoffmann and the other volunteers are excited to have a new place on Broadway. In addition to being in a higher traffic area, the physical building is an upgrade. The building has more windows to let in natural light and the donated items are easier to arrange.

“There is so much history too,” Hoffmann said.

Back in the day, the building was home to a bar. The actual bar is still located inside and still has a polished wood surface. The plan is to keep the bar and use it to better display donated items.

Hoffmann is excited to have a window on Broadway, which could be used to advertise fundraising efforts.

Hoffmann suggested placing higher-end donated items in the window, which can be purchased with a cash donation to The Clothing Depot.

The Depot will continue to conduct other fundraising efforts like the fall wine tasting, brat stand and Pizza Ranch fundraisers.

With the move to the new location the Depot will have new hours. It will be open 9 a.m. to noon on Monday and Wednesday. Items can also be dropped off in the entry way to the new building. Hoffmann said it’s best to call ahead for large donations. Hoffmann can be contacted at (507) 276-6302.

Volunteers are continuing to organize items at the new location and the site will be open again on Monday, Jan. 28.