Local Roots to hold Aug. 10 Parking Lot Clothing Swap
Local Roots Market & Cafe will hold its first Parking Lot Clothing Swap on Saturday, Aug. 10. All proceeds will go toward the general construction and renovation of Local Roots’ new location including a new commercial kitchen, market area and parking lot.
Local Roots Market & Cafe will hold its first Parking Lot Clothing Swap on Saturday, Aug. 10. The downtown co-op features seasonal, sustainable foods and art from more than 300 local producers.
The business is in the midst of a capital campaign to fund a move to a larger building. All proceeds will go toward the general construction and renovation of Local Roots’ new location including a new commercial kitchen, market area and parking lot.
The event is the brainchild of Haley Balas, one of the floor managers at Local Roots. Balas created the swap with assistance from Roots’ event coordinator Kate Frichtl and marketing manager Annie Yoder.
“I have always been a big fan of shopping at thrift stores and finding unique items while also shopping sustainably,” said Balas, a recent Kent State graduate with a degree in fashion design. “I learned just how unethical and damaging to the environment a lot of major fashion brands are. The fashion industry is one of the leading contributors to our climate crisis, from polluting waters with chemicals to filling landfills with millions of garments every year.”
Ever since she started working at Local Roots full-time, Balas has wanted to put on a clothing swap. And there are already discussions of having one for The College of Wooster students in the fall and a swap later in the year focusing on winter apparel.
Donations of the following items will be accepted for the swap inside Local Roots during business hours Aug. 4-9: men’s, women’s and children’s pants; jeans; shirts and sweaters; hoodies and jackets; skirts and dresses; and shoes. Participants may donate up to 12 items that are clean and in good condition.
The participation fee for the clothing swap is $20. In exchange for every one item accepted, participants receive one ticket, with Local Roots members receiving three bonus tickets.
Local Roots’ Parking Lot Clothing Swap will take place Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the market, 140 S. Walnut St., Wooster. For those who drop in the day of the event who have not donated, tickets will be available for $5 each.
If someone wishes to donate without swapping, they are invited to email Local Roots at info@localrootswooster.com to arrange to drop off their items at no cost.
Boo Bears Brew will sell coffee outside during the swap. In the event of inclement weather, everything will be moved inside to Boo Bears.
Local Roots will accept donations or loans of foldout tables, clothing racks and hangars.
For questions regarding the clothing swap or to donate or loan needed display items, email Balas at haleybalas@gmail.com or Frichtl at kate@localrootswooster.com.
Balas said a swap creates an opportunity for people to feel like they’re getting something back for their donations. For families with children, it’s a chance to exchange outgrown sizes for donated items. Additionally, a swap extends the life cycle of garments that are still in great condition, thus keeping them out of the landfills.