Ribbon-cutting and Grand Opening: Sat. Aug. 24th 10:00 a.m.
For a limited time, shoppers who take a free HIV test at the new site can register to win a 2019 Buddy Kick Scooter. Houston currently ranks 8th nationwide in number of AIDS cases reported.
AHF’s new store is also home to the famed ‘Montrose Paint Wall,’ a Houston landmark and Instagram-friendly favorite of Houstonians and visitors worldwide.
HOUSTON, TX (August 23, 2019) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will open its newest Out of the Closet Thrift Store in Houston, TX on Saturday, August 24th, with a grand opening celebration starting at 10:00 a.m., rain or shine. Located at 1435 Westheimer Road in Houston’s Montrose District, the facility will also house a state-of-the-art AHF Pharmacy and administer confidential free, rapid, one-minute testing for HIV and other STD’s.
The grand opening will offer discounts on an array of trendy clothes, furniture and housewares, as well as live music featuring the Latin beats of Houston’s own Cristina Tribute Show, free food, games for the kids and an opportunity for attendees to take a free, rapid HIV test and register to win a 2019 Buddy Kick Scooter. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m., with remarks by AHF President and CEO Michael Weinstein and AHF Texas Regional Director Bret Camp. Residents from across the area will be joined by local dignitaries and civic leaders.
WHAT: GRAND OPENING of Houston’s first Out of the Closet Thrift Store that will also provide confidential, rapid, free HIV testing and which $0.96 cents of every dollar earned is invested back into HIV/AIDS education, awareness and prevention programs in the local community.
WHEN: Saturday, August 24, 2019 RAIN OR SHINE!
- Ribbon-cutting starts at 10:00 a.m.
- Street Party continues until 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Out of the Closet Thrift Store
1435 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
WHO: Michael Weinstein, AHF President
Bret Camp, AHF Texas Regional Director
Local civic and community leaders
“Saturday’s grand opening will offer the chance for Houston shoppers to be among the first to discover the unique finds and hidden treasures for which ‘Out of the Closet’ is famous,” said Jonathan Kreuyer, General Manager of Out of the Closet Stores. “With nineteen other locations in California, Florida, Georgia, New York, Ohio, Texas and Washington state—AHF’s Out of the Closet Thrift Store chain is the nation’s largest retail fundraising venture for HIV/AIDS medical care, and ninety-six cents of every dollar earned is directed towards local HIV/AIDS awareness efforts as part of our mission to provide HIV/AIDS care to those in need.”
AHF’s Out of the Closet location will be familiar to the residents of Houston, as the building housing the new thrift store, is the location of the Montrose Paint Wall, the renowned, Instagram-friendly mural painted by French, Houston based artist, Sebastian “Mr. D” Boileau, who regularly trends on social media.
Now with 20 locations worldwide, Out of the Closet Thrift stores aim to make HIV testing easy while providing people a fun place to shop and donate gently used goods in support of the fight against HIV/AIDS. Out of the Closet Thrift Stores are often connected to an AHF Pharmacy, to also provide a convenient one-stop experience for clients to shop and pick up their medication.
“We are pleased to expand our presence and services in Houston with the opening of this Out of the Closet thrift store. We know that along with the testing services it will provide to the immediate community, the City of Houston and the surrounding municipalities, we can shift the trajectory of the local HIV epidemic,” said Michael Kahane, AHF Southern Bureau Chief.
HIV in Houston:
According to recent statistics by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): CLOSE
Recommended Videos
Keith Sweat Lets The World Know He Sounds Just Like The Record [Exclusive Video]
In Real Life: Jeannette Alexander Of Brenda House of Promising Futures
The Lo’ Down with Lore’l: Jermaine Dupri Edition
QuickSilva x Rotimi Exclusive
- Houston ranks 8th nationally in the number of total reported AIDS cases
- 6 out of every 10 diagnosed HIV infections in the Houston/Harris County are African American.
- An estimated 1 in 90 Houstonians is living with HIV/AIDS.
# # #
