House of Hope Thrift Store Ranks in Florida’s Top 10
STUART, Fla.- Locals know it as a great place to find gently used clothes, shoes, furniture, household items, games and even art work. Now a national audience knows about House of Hope’s Hope Shop in Stuart.
According to the online publication Family Destinations Guide, Hope Shop is the tenth best thrift store in the entire state of Florida. “This Stuart gem,” the Guide states, “has mastered the art of the upscale thrift experience without the upscale prices.”
“We’re excited and honored at the designation,” said House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri, “but not surprised. Our Hope Shop Director Donna Vestal, her staff and volunteers do an amazing job, and we receive compliments every day from customers.”
Family Destination Guide highlighted the inviting storefront at the Hope Shop, a clothing section that feels “curated” rather than collected, furniture that often looks barely used, housewares displayed with artistry, and the friendly atmosphere “that encourages browsing and discovery, making it easy to lose track of time as you examine potential treasures.”
For House of Hope and the community it serves, though, the Hope Shop and its two other thrift stores in Hobe Sound and Indiantown are so much more. Sales are a key contributor to the nonprofit’s revenue, generating nearly 20% of the funds needed each year to provide programs and services that help to empower residents to overcome hunger and hardship.
"Thrift stores are more than just shops-they're sustainable havens where gently used treasures find new life,” said House of Hope Director of Retail Services & Special Events Donna Vestal. “Our shoppers save money, support a critical community mission, and practice environmental stewardship; transforming quality items into hope, one purchase at a time.”
Within House of Hope, the thrift stores provided the Clothes Closet Program with nearly 190,000 items of clothing, housewares and linens that were distributed at no cost last year to neighbors in need. In addition to sales to customers, the stores provide free books to other non-profits and teachers to encourage reading and offers no cost access to medical equipment such as crutches, canes, wheel chairs, shower seats and other items as available. The stores are also the site of job training for House of Hope clients.
Recently, the Hope Shop started selling fresh hydroponic produce grown locally in Palm City at House of Hope’s Growing Hope production farm. At its current peak production, Growing Hope Farm produces more than 1500 packages of fresh produce weekly. Of the 1.2 million pounds of food House of Hope distributed last year, 500,000 pounds was fresh produce to help feed and empower the most vulnerable residents of the community while improving their nutrition and overall health status.
“We know that the success and impact of House of Hope happens because of the generosity of so many of our neighbors who share their time, treasure and talent,” Ranieri said. “We’re always looking for volunteers at our thrift stores – a great way to see the bargains first and know that you’re making a huge difference in the lives of people in need.”
For more information about the thrift store locations and hours of operation or to volunteer, visit hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673.
About House of Hope
Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Martin County residents to overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches the lives of more than 26,000 people each month, helping with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, and financial assistance, as well as longer-term case management services that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future.
The organization has service centers in Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach, with thrift stores in Stuart, Hobe Sound, and Indiantown. House of Hope’s Centers for Enrichment at Golden Gate in Stuart, in Jensen Beach, and at KinDoo Family Center in Indiantown offer free programs, technology, and workshops designed to enhance life skills, earning potential, health, and overall well-being.
House of Hope also operates the Growing Hope Farm in Palm City and several nutrition gardens that provide sustainable sources of fresh produce for clients as well as nutrition education and vocational opportunities to the community. For more information, visit hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
