“Thrifting with the Stars” Kicks Off NoHo Out of the Closet Opening

In News by AHF

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) proudly announces the grand opening of its newest Out of the Closet Thrift Store, the one-stop shop where the charitable and chic can benefit AIDS treatment and care while they shop for goods, access an AHF Pharmacy, and get free condoms and a free HIV test with results in just 60 seconds

To celebrate the store’s arrival in North Hollywood, six contestants will team up with celebrity thrifters to create the best ensemble, and the first 1,000 people to register in the store after the ribbon cutting will be eligible to win a 2013 Mini Cooper!

(from left) Reneé Felice Smith, Tiffany Thornton, and Kat Graham

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (April 30, 2013) – AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, is pleased to announce the opening of its newest Out of the Closet Thrift Store, where 96 cents of every dollar earned goes directly into providing HIV/AIDS testing, advocacy, treatment, and care around the world.

With 21 stores in the U.S.—in California, Florida and New York—and one in Amsterdam, The Netherlands—the North Hollywood location will be the 23rd location. The grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting will take place this Saturday, May 4, at 12:00 noon at 4227 Lankershim Blvd. in the heart of North Hollywood. The store will remain open until 7 pm, in congruence with the regular hours of operation, which will be 10 am – 7 pm Monday through Saturday and 10 am – 6 pm on Sundays.

“We want people to see Out of the Closet as a one-stop-shop where they can not only shop for treasures—including clothes, accessories, furniture and household goods—but also stock up on free condoms, take a free one-minute HIV test, and access an AHF Pharmacy that can fill any prescription,” sad Jonathan Kreuyer, the General Manager of Retail Operations for the nationwide Out of the Closet chain.

People can also feel good that their donations and purchases are helping to provide lifesaving care around the world. Shopping at Out of the Closet is probably the easiest way to make a personal impact in the global fight against HIV and AIDS.” – Jonathan Kreuyer

To celebrate the opening of the eleventh Out of the Closet thrift store in the LA area, the event will include free tacos, popcorn, cotton candy, and soft drinks on the sidewalk in front of the store, as well as music from a live DJ and free HIV testing. When the doors officially open at noon, shoppers will have first dibs on the goods donated to Out of the Closet, as well as the opportunity to register to win a free car! The Mini Cooper that is up for grabs will be inside the store for the duration of the contest, and the first 1,000 people to register inside the store will have a chance to win.

With this newest location in the heart of film industry territory, AHF is solidifying its connection with young Hollywood by filming the upcoming web series “Thrifting with the Stars: Hollywood Gives Back” inside the store just prior to the ribbon cutting at noon. Several celebrities, including Tiffany Thornton of Disney’s “Sonny With A Chance” and NCIS: LA’s Reneé Felice Smith will be paired with people whose lives have in some way been impacted by HIV/AIDS for a fashion contest that will see the celebrity-contestant teams shopping in the store prior to the grand opening, and whoever selects the best ensemble with their celebrity “stylist” will be the winner of the contest, selected through a judging to be held shortly after the noon ribbon cutting.

“One third of new HIV infections are among young people aged 13 to 24, and these celebrities really connect with a youth audience,” said Michael Weinstein, President and Co-Founder of AHF. “Through this web series, AHF is solidifying our union with young Hollywood, and together with these artists we are reaching out to the youth demographic about the importance of getting tested regularly and protecting themselves and their sexual partners through condom use.”

In addition to the thrift store, this “one-stop shop” will offer free HIV testing Thursday – Saturday from 10 am – 7 pm and 10 am – 6 pm on Sundays and Mondays. The location will also include an AHF Pharmacy, which will open this summer. Like the adjoining thrift stores, 96 cents of every dollar earned through AHF Pharmacies funds the Foundation’s global work, and these pharmacies are accessible to all since any prescription can be filled at these locations. Currently, 36 AHF Pharmacies are operating in 10 states throughout the nation.

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