Late Checkout Thrift has only been open since Saturday, but it is already making a big impression on the community. Located at 1101 West Gate City Boulevard, at the southeast corner of Glenwood Avenue, Late Checkout is a nonprofit operated by Glenwood Together, an organization focused on supporting community members in need. Glenwood is known for its diversity, and the new thrift shop is intended to be more than a place to buy secondhand goods—it is meant to be a gathering place and a connection point for the neighborhood.

There was concern in the Glenwood community in 2010 when UNCG began purchasing land on the northern end of the Glenwood neighborhood. Late Checkout is envisioned as a bridge between Glenwood and UNCG, bringing students and community members together while keeping resources and dollars circulating within the neighborhood.

The goal is not simply to raise money for the community, but to create a space where people feel comfortable spending time. Chairs line the windows, offering a place to sit and relax. The pool table in the above photo isn’t for sale, but is available for customers to play. Hot coffee is free. In the back of the store, Littlefoot Matcha Cafe serves matcha and specialty drinks.

When we visited, Littlefoot was serving a Laufey Blue Matcha Latte, while Laufey’s blue-colored vinyl album, A Matter of Time, was playing in the cafe. Details like these give the shop a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that feels different from your typical thrift store.

And the merchandise is moving quickly. Items were selling almost as fast as they could be restocked. With UNCG students returning to campus and setting up their homes for the semester, there is plenty of demand for affordable home goods and thrifted clothing.

Late Checkout accepts donations at the counter whenever the store is open, so if you have gently used items to give away, consider keeping them in the community. It may be new, but judging by the response so far, the community has already embraced it.