Fredericton's Community Closet offers free clothing for those who need it

A clothing store in Fredericton offers a shopping experience unlike any other.

Customers don't pay for anything.

The goal of the Community Closet project is to offer free clothing, shoes and suits for anyone that needs it, with emphasis on the "anyone."

"There are so many families that have two incomes that don't have extra money for clothes," said Katie Haggerty, Community Closet co-ordinator. "It's not just for low-income people."

Haggerty says the majority of goods that shoppers walk out the door with are donated from local businesses or through private donations.

"Kids are expensive, food is expensive, things are expensive," said Haggerty. "This isn't."

"I don't think people should go into debt just to clothe their kids."

Started as a closet

The project began as an actual closet full of clothes at the Fredericton Multicultural Association, but has since grown into a full store located within the same building.

"This is a place that is so needed for everyone in the community," she said. "For those of us that are low-income, or homeless or just starting out."

Kids' clothing for all ages and sizes are offered in-store. As children grow, some parents say they return garments that have been outgrown before continuing to shop for better fits.

May expand beyond clothes

"I have two kids under two, different genders, so we go through clothes like crazy," said Elizabeth Bingham. "So I treat it as almost a clothing exchange.

"It's really awesome to bring in old stuff that doesn't fit and pick up new things. And I've met a lot of other moms while I'm here."

After expanding once since their original opening in November, staff feel as if the project has reached the right size for now.

It may expand again.

"It would be really neat if we could open another store with bigger household items, fridges and beds and stuff like that, because we can't take stuff like that right now. We don't have the space."