Today we’d like to introduce you to James Owens.
Hi James, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
* Knox Pride began as the East Tennessee Equality Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006.
* Over time, the organization expanded beyond just organizing annual Pride events. They built out programs for community outreach, support groups, life skills classes, and more.
* In October 2021, the **Knox Pride Community & Resource Center** opened its doors, creating a physical hub for services, referrals, gatherings, and outreach.
Creation of Thriftique
* In January 2023, Knox Pride transformed what had been a “clothing closet” into a full-fledged thrift boutique called Thriftique.
* The aim: to provide **low-cost and no-barrier access** clothing for community members, while also raising funds to help sustain the resource center’s operations.
* If someone is unable to pay, staff are encouraged to work with them — in other words, no one is turned away purely for lack of funds.
Location & Hours
Thriftique is located at **4044A Chapman Hwy, Knoxville, TN** (within the Knox Pride Center).
It is open Monday through Friday, 11am-4pm
Donations are accepted on **Wednesdays** or by appointment.
* **Pricing & “Community Closet”**
Most clothing items are priced between **$2–$8**.
The “Community Closet” component allows people to take clothing **for free** if needed.
Thriftique also offers **gift certificates**, all proceeds of which support the Center’s services.
Purpose & Impact
* Helps sustain the resource center financially
* Provides essential clothing access with minimal barriers
* Acts as a community resource, a space aligned with other services (pantry, referrals, life‑skills, etc.)
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The entire process had been one struggle after another, if we are being honest. I don’t think I have really faced much that most folks trying to get a small biasness off the ground have gone through though. I have, however, been incredibly blessed with an immense amount of help and support from other local business owners. Their guidance and advice have been invaluable.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Thritique. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Thriftique at Knox Pride is a unique thrift store that blends fashion, sustainability, and community support into one vibrant space. Located in the center of Knox Pride, this inclusive boutique offers gently used clothing, accessories, shoes, and jewelry at incredibly low prices, while also serving as a resource hub for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Knoxville area.
What sets Thriftique apart is its strong focus on sustainability. By promoting the reuse and recycling of clothing and goods, it helps reduce waste and the environmental impact of fast fashion. Every purchase made supports eco-conscious living and encourages a culture of mindful consumption.
Beyond sustainability, Thriftique plays a key role in fostering community. Proceeds from the store help fund Knox Pride’s vital programs, including LGBTQ+ outreach, support groups, and health resources. It also creates a welcoming space where people from all walks of life can shop, volunteer, and connect.
In essence, Thriftique is more than a thrift store—it’s a hub of compassion, environmental responsibility, and community empowerment.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The Thriftique wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the help and support of the community. That is the number one factor in any amount of success we have.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.knoxpride.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethriftiqueatknoxpride/
