Our ThriftSmart Story
We are passionate about community and life transformation. That’s why we created the most effective thrift store model on the planet. We combine all the passion of ministering to others while at the same time utilizing the best trends in business management. We currently operate the largest thrift store in Nashville, where you can find great deals and unique offerings of clothing, housewares, furniture, books and more!
Unlike many thrift stores, 100% of our proceeds benefit local nonprofits. ThriftSmart is a 501c3 organization. Each donation of clothes or goods benefits the lives of others. Choosing to donate to, or shop at ThriftSmart is a choice to make the most impact with your donation. Smart.
And not only are ThriftSmart stores 100% green, they are also 100% clean. Gone are the days of smelly, dusty thrift store shopping. Visiting ThriftSmart is like visiting a TJ Maxx, except the deals are better and the profits impact lives!
Our ThriftSmart story began with the opening of our first thrift store in 2005. Our founders Dick Gygi and Tres Scheibe served on the boards of a number of Nashville-area nonprofits, for which they were frequently fundraising. They teamed up to start ThriftSmart as a nonprofit social enterprise that would generate ongoing revenue streams to help these other charities thrive and decrease their reliance solely on fundraising. Over the years, ThriftSmart has been able to donate millions of dollars to our four beneficiaries.
In addition, we support hundreds of other areas schools, nonprofits and churches through our GiveSmart Program and our store on Nolensville road as served as a hub for welcoming Nashville’s refugee community. For years, volunteers taught weekly English classes in our store. We also helped launch Sew For Hope, a wonderful organization providing sewing training for Middle Tennessee refugees. These classes bring together women and men from around the globe who are starting new lives in the United States.
ThriftSmart continues to grow with the support of community partners who are aligned with our vision of restoring value to people and things. We are currently in partnership with ShareBuilt, who serves communities by helping make construction dreams a reality for individuals and non-profits in need. Their expertise and network are enabling ThriftSmart to grow our presence throughout Nashville, which allows us to create more impact for our neighbors and the non-profits they love.
We are passionate about living smart and we’re here to serve.
Check out our sales page for the latest deals and best days to shop. Connecting with ThriftSmart on Facebook, Instagram and through our e-newsletters will keep you informed with living smart tips and provide you with incredible deals and discounts. Contact Us to learn more of the Thrift Smart story and our history.