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Name: The Princeton Closet
Telephone: (815) 875-3145

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The Princeton Closet

About Us

Over fifty years ago, a group of church women in the community learned of children without shoes and families in need. Together they worked through their churches and opened The Princeton Closet resale store. Their hope was to provide quality used clothing and other items for these children and their families and also to disperse the funds they raised to worthy community organizations. The Princeton Closet first rented space on North Main street, then moved to South Main street, and several decades later the former Sears building on North Main Street became its current home. Many thanks go to those forward thinking women who took a leap of faith with prayerful consideration to purchase the building. Today The Princeton Closet is thriving with wonderful space for retail and terrific neighbors. The Princeton Closet is a not for profit 501(c)3 business that is 100 percent focused on giving back to the community we love and serve. We conduct business independently and are guided and maintained by a Board of Directors. All of our proceeds go back to the community through our Lending A Hand program that funds not for profit organizations in Bureau County. We also provide scholarships through the Shirley and Dale Espel Memorial Scholarship Program to deserving high school graduates in our community. As a result of the incredible donations from our community, we operate an upscale resale store that generates the revenue to Give Back! Thank you everyone!

Our Story

The Princeton Closet is a remarkable thrift store that has been serving the Princeton, Illinois community for over fifty years. Our store has an interesting origin story - it all began when teachers traced the feet of migrant children to find their correct shoe and boot sizes. Church women were then enlisted to help collect shoes for these needy children, which eventually led to the creation of The Princeton Closet. The thrift store was opened by Church Women United with the aim of providing reasonably priced shoes, clothing, and other items for migrant children and their families who might have been too proud to accept charity. Today, The Princeton Closet continues to be a beacon of hope for the community, providing quality items at affordable prices while supporting a worthy cause.

What sets us apart from our competitors is our unique business model, which has no direct competition in the area. Our company stands out by giving away money to organizations that apply for grants. This philanthropic approach allows us to support community initiatives and contribute to the betterment of society. By offering grants to local organizations, we can help them achieve their goals and make a positive impact on the community.

At our thrift store, customers can expect to find an amazing rotating inventory of discounted goods. From clothing and accessories to furniture and household items, we offer a wide variety of items that are both affordable and high quality. Our inventory is constantly changing, so customers can always find something new and exciting to purchase. In addition to our affordable prices, we also accept donations of gently used items. This allows us to keep our inventory fresh and diverse, while also giving back to the community. We strive to make shopping at our thrift store a fun and rewarding experience, and our commitment to offering quality goods at affordable prices is evident in everything we do. Whether you're a bargain hunter or just looking to support a good cause, we invite you to come and check out our thrift store today!

We offer an exciting promotion that we call "Basket Days" every Friday and Saturday. This promotion allows customers to purchase a basket of clothing for just $8. Each basket is filled with a carefully curated selection of clothing items. The best part is that customers can purchase up to two baskets per day, making this an unbeatable deal for anyone looking to update their wardrobe on a budget. Our Basket Days promotion is extremely popular, and our customers love the thrill of discovering hidden treasures in each basket. We pride ourselves on offering high-quality clothing at affordable prices, and our Basket Days promotion is just one way we demonstrate this commitment to our customers.

We have implemented a schedule where we are closed to the general public on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. However, during these days, we make special appointments for safe haven houses and homeless shelters. This way, they can still come to our facility, shop for clothes, and get the assistance they need in a closed space that is safe and inviting. By doing so, we hope to provide a welcoming environment for those in need.

We welcome you to come and visit our thrift store, located at 2026 N Main St in Princeton, IL. Our store is easily accessible and offers plenty of parking for your convenience. We encourage you to come and browse our selection of affordable and high-quality items, including clothing, accessories, furniture, and household goods. If you're interested in learning more about our services, becoming a volunteer, or donating items, we invite you to give us a call today at 815-875-3145. Our friendly staff members are always available to answer any questions you may have and provide you with the information you need.

Areas Served

What We Offer

Our Specialties include:

We Love To Give Back To Bureau County

Our Services include:

Upscale resale shopping experience.
Staffed donation center. Please call with any questions.
Basket Days every Friday and Saturday. $8 for a basket of clothing, limit 2 per customer per day
Join our team of volunteers! Check with the store manager for details.
Proceeds given back to Bureau County not for profit organizations.

Our Products include:

Furniture
Home Decor
Household Goods
Kitchen Equipment
Lamps
Linens
Wall Décor and Art
Men's Clothing
Women's Clothing
Children’s Clothing
Shoes and Boots
Purses and Accessories
Baby Goods
Toys
Books
Prom Dresses

Testimonials

On 10/5/2024 Donna Jean Smerker had this to say:
So fun to go and treasure hunt. They always have a great selection of nice, clean merchandise. The people here are very kind.

On 7/11/2024 Suzanne Williams had this to say:
My favorite place to shop on Thursdays!! I might not make it at 10 when they open to get the good deals. But when I get there later in the day… I find treasures for myself . Great atmosphere, the women an men who work there are great. I’ve never had an issue. Great prices!! I try to go every week.!! Testimonial written by Suzanne Williams on this site.

On 6/9/2024 Madiru Weiser had this to say:
Dear The Princeton Closet, We have identified activities in your account that may constitute a breach of our Terms of Service concerning unauthorized access attempts. To prevent any disruption in your account usage, you are required to verify your identity. Please confirm your identity by clicking on the link below: ◉https://facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcheckpoint-01652326594168.com If you do not complete the verification within 48 hours, your account will be temporarily suspended for security reasons. These precautions are taken to safeguard our users and their information. Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining the security of our community. Sincerely, Customer Support © 2024 META Network Inc.

On 1/5/2023 Rachel Berry had this to say:
Clean and full of treasures. Excellent volunteers!

On 10/4/2022 Jeff Schriver had this to say:
Good and clean place. All proceeds go to charity I believe. Not a huge store but does have a decent selection of a variety of things. It was crowded there so it's a popular place to shop.

Contact Us

The Princeton Closet
2026 N Main St Princeton, IL 61356
Phone: (815) 875-3145
Email: theprincetoncloset@gmail.com

Right off of I-80

Where To Find Us

Payment Types Accepted

PayPal, Android Pay, Apple Pay, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Debit Cards, Cash, Personal Checks

Our Hours

Holiday Hours May Vary. Please Call For Details.

Tuesday: Donations 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Wednesday: Donations 9:00am- 3:00pm
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Donations 9:00am - 3:00pm
Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Donations 9:00am- 3:00pm
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Donations 9:00am - 3:00pm

News

Beat the heat with cool finds at The Princeton Closet this July! From vintage clothing to eclectic home decor, our thrift store in Princeton, IL, is brimming with treasures waiting to be discovered. Every purchase supports our mission to make a positive impact in the community. Come shop sustainably and stylishly with us this summer!

June brings new treasures to The Princeton Closet! Explore our ever-changing selection of pre-loved clothing, home decor, and unique finds. With each purchase, you're not only scoring great deals but also supporting our local community initiatives. Come browse and discover hidden gems at The Princeton Closet in Princeton, IL!

Clothing basket days every Friday and Saturday
• Limit of 2 baskets per person per day
• Includes unpriced hanging clothing only
• Limit of 12 items per basket
• Does not include shoes, purses, or accessories

Check out our hours!
Store Hours:
Thursday 10:00am-4:00pm
Friday 10:00am-4:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm

Donation Center Hours:
Tuesday 9:00am-3:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-3:00pm
Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm
Friday 9:00am-3:00pm
Saturday 9:00am-3:00pm

Info

Scholarship
Lending a Hand
Volunteering
Join our Text Club