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Reliable, Affordable & Locally Owned
www.shelbyinfo.com Our 42ND Year • Issue No. 12 • March 20, 2025
704-484-1047
Totally Free Clothes Store still in the business of giving… and giving, and GIVING! by MICHAEL E. POWELL Located in a small brick building at 318 Gidney Street in Shelby, the Totally Free Clothes Store is still going about the business of being a blessing to the many folks it helps daily. Well… almost daily, as they are closed on Wednesdays, according to N.C. natives Melanie and Mark Burr, who run the place. Melanie said she has been affiliated with the store for five years, when it was over by the Food Lion on S. Lafayette St., and Mark noted he has been working with her for about two years now. They said they have about 20 volunteers who help them operate the store. “We have some that work a particular day of the month and some who come in when they can,” said Melanie. As per their small handout, “…each person (who comes to the store) may get 20 items per month absolutely FREE!” There are some restrictions however; they only allow 15 people in the store at any one time (because of the store’s size); and anyone shopping in the store must have an ID or something with their name on it, such as a driver’s li-
Melanie and Mark Burr, who manage and operate the Totally Free Clothes Store in Shelby, standing beside their sign advertising who they are and what they do. The store is located at 318 Gidney Street. (photos by Michael E. Powell/CF Media) cense or piece of mail like a utility bill or something similar. The two noted the store has many volunteers from local churches, they do have many different volunteers who reach out to them to help in the store. “Everything you see in here has been donated,” said Mark. “Shelving, hangars, plastic bags, boxes. You name it; it has been donated.” On one of the handouts folks are given when they enter the
Totally Free Clothes Store volunteer workers Karen Westphal (seated) and marketing manager Cat Wesson helping one of the store’s many shoppers check out after shopping.
Our purpose is to Increase public awareness and understanding of the problems, needs and abilities of women in Cleveland County. 501c3 organization
store it is noted they are “looking” for volunteers. “We allow each shopper, or person, to get 20 items of clothing and shoes per month free,” said Melanie. “In 2024, we gave away over 177,000 items to those in need.” Mark said that amount included not just clothes but shoes and accessories for people of all ages.
The Totally Free Clothes Store building, at 318 Gidney Street, which they share with Trailhead Resources. The Burrs said they are there, with their volunteer helpers, “pretty much every day of the week.” The store is open from 10 a.m., to 3:45 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Additionally, said Mark, they do work with the court system and have community service workers as part of their volunteer staff. Also helping the duo is a new marketing manager, Cat Wesson, who, like the Burrs, is a full-
time volunteer. Said Mark, “the main things we need right now are more volunteers and some form of steady funding.” Melanie added, “And we would like to get a van donated to the store or a grant with which to buy one.” She continued, “What we do here…it’s not just about us getting volunteers, although they are very important. It’s about See CLOTHES, Page 2
Just a few of the racks of clothing items inside the Totally Free Clothing Store, located at 318 Gidney St., Shelby.
C Cleveland CCounty ountyy Commision For Women W
Cleveland County Commission for Women Recognizes Women for their contributions to our County during Women’s History Month.
704-477-7047
This year we are honoring women in Cleveland County who are 90 years old and above. We are distributing cookies to all nursing homes in the county on Friday, March 21, 2025. “Thank You for Being our Mentors”