OSKALOOSA — Tonya Rice's Klothes Kloset serves a definite community need.
Rice has been working with the Klothes Kloset at the former Jefferson Elementary School, 308 Fifth Ave. W., for the past two years. She said the Klothes Kloset, which has been in operation for about four years, utilizes former classrooms to display numerous items for those in need.
Rice said Klothes Kloset sells a whole host of donated times including womens’, mens’ and children’s clothing, as well as small furniture. She said that the Klothes Kloset always seems to have more women’s clothing available than that intended for men.
Rice said the price of most clothing items is deliberately low, noting that children’s items can be $1 and adult clothing items sitting at just $2. Residents can obtain vouchers from places like Love INC, Crisis Intervention Services or any area church can shop at the Klothes Kloset for free, said Rice.
“We just try to keep it low for the people that come in here,” said Rice.
The people who shop at Klothes Kloset greatly appreciate the fact that it is here in Oskaloosa, said Rice.
“They’re so kind to me,” said Rice.
Klothes Kloset is open to the public and anyone who wants to shop there can do so during their summer hours, which are Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with an hour lunch break from 1 to 2 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rice said the Klothes Kloset has had to adjust these hours by closing early during some of the recent extremely hot and humid days this summer.
“It just feels like a sauna in here,” said Rice. “I at least try to be here during the morning hours if there is no weather advisory like the heat advisory.”
When school starts up again, the Klothes Kloset’s hours will include being open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
