How Your Next Visit to a Thrift Store Could Be Extraordinary

I walked into Extraordinary Thrift not really knowing what to expect. I walked out a different kind of customer.

Let me start with what hit me first: this place is immaculate. I don't mean "clean for a thrift store." I mean organized, labeled, intentionally laid out — like someone thought carefully about every single shelf. Because they did.

Extraordinary Thrift is operated by Extraordinary Ventures, a Chapel Hill nonprofit that creates jobs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. When Extraordinary Ventures took over this space on January 5th, it was — to put it kindly — a lot. Floor to ceiling, packed with stuff, hard to move through, hard to work in. One employee told Executive Director Lisa Kaylie that he'd never seen the floor before.

A small team cleaned, sorted, and completely rebuilt the space. We are talking ten dedicated staff members in 30 days. They moved shelving from upstairs to downstairs. Saved clear bins. Donated what couldn't be sold. And then they redesigned the whole store around a concept Lisa Kaylie, executive director of Extraordinary Ventures, is passionate about: universal design.

Everything, actually.

The picture labels on every section, the sturdy gondola shelving that doesn't tip, the clear organization by size and category — all of it was designed so that employees with disabilities can do their jobs confidently and independently. But here's the thing Lisa wants everyone to understand: it's not just for them. It's better for all of us. Nobody is hurt by a well-organized, clearly labeled, thoughtfully designed space. We all benefit from knowing where things are and feeling like there's structure.

The intentionality goes deeper than you'd expect. The kids' toy section? Placed right next to the clothing racks so parents can browse while their child plays nearby. Puzzles? Moved to the opposite side of the store — because toddlers and tiny puzzle pieces don't mix. The electronics? Each one is tested by an employee and gets a little sticker that says "tested by" so you know it actually works.

This isn't a store that happens to employ people with disabilities. It's a store designed around inclusive employment — and it shows.

Employees carefully place each piece on individual holders so you can actually see what you're looking at. Most thrift stores skip this step — here, it's the kind of detail work that employees love doing, and it transforms a jumble of jewelry into a section you want to spend time in.

More than I expected. Clothing sorted by size (which is harder than it sounds, but makes such a difference when you're shopping). Shoes. Accessories and hats. A real collection of wedding gowns and suits — not just a couple on a rack, but an entire curated section downstairs. Household items, vintage finds, and a jewelry section that stopped me in my tracks. Employees carefully hang each piece on individual holders and display them so you can actually see what you're looking at — the kind of detail work that most thrift stores skip entirely.

The book section is legendary and run entirely by volunteers who clearly love what they do. They curate vintage paperbacks, keep the shelves beautifully organized, and — my favorite detail — they collect the random things found tucked inside donated books (old photos, postcards, ticket stubs, handwritten notes) and sell them as little collage kits. I've never seen anything like it.

Records are selling fast. Art comes and goes — Lisa mentioned they've had didgeridoos come through (I'm devastated I missed that). Electronics, DVDs, housewares, rugs, and small furniture round things out. They've moved away from large furniture pieces, but dining chairs, small side tables, and anything under about 30 inches is fair game.

Labeling system Every section is clearly labeled — part of the universal design approach that makes the store work for employees with disabilities and makes it a better experience for every single shopper.

DVDs and CDs Another strong seller. The collection keeps growing with donations, and the "tested by" system gives buyers confidence.

Kids' section near the clothing racks This placement is completely intentional. Parents can park their child here with toys while they browse the clothing nearby. Puzzles were moved to the opposite side of the store — because toddlers and puzzle pieces are a recipe for chaos. Smart design for real humans.

Here's where you come in. Since their soft opening two weeks ago, they've been selling through inventory fast — which is a great problem to have. They're well-stocked on clothing, but what they really need right now is housewares, electronics, knickknacks, and home goods. If you've been meaning to clean out a closet or a kitchen cabinet, this is the time.

Extraordinary Thrift is one of six businesses operated by Extraordinary Ventures, all designed to create meaningful employment for adults with disabilities in our community. The others include Blue Hill Event Center (voted Best Event Space in Chapel Hill), Extraordinary Laundry, Extraordinary Gifts (their handmade candles are now in every Whole Foods in North Carolina), a cleaning crew that details Chapel Hill Transit buses, and Extraordinary Office Solutions.

There are currently 90 people on the waitlist for employment — even for just a few hours a week. Every dollar you spend here helps create more of those positions.

Speaking of which — the community has already shown up for this space. When Lisa needed the store painted fast, Go Lace Painting was there within days. A local color consultant named Elizabeth B. volunteered her time to pick out the paint colors in 45 minutes and wouldn't accept payment. People want this place to succeed. And it's easy to see why.

I have to be transparent: this story is personal for me. I have some who are dear to me that have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Walking into Extraordinary Thrift and seeing what inclusive employment actually looks like — not as a concept, but as a functioning, beautiful, well-run business — gave me something I wasn't expecting to find between the racks of secondhand clothes.

It gave me hope.

The organization upstairs and up front is built on the foundation of the organization behind the scenes and below deck. The way that this store is run directly translates to a better shopping experience for everyone.

Wedding gown & suit collection This isn't a couple of dresses shoved on a rack. It's an entire curated collection of wedding gowns and suits — all organized and displayed so you can actually browse. And yes, you can have your wedding at Blue Hill Event Center and get your dress here. Full circle.

Electronics testing station When electronics come in — toasters, DVD players, you name it — two employees with IDD test every single item. Each one gets a little sticker that says "tested by" so customers know it actually works. That's quality control and meaningful work in one.

Clothing sorted by size It sounds simple, but sorting by size is genuinely hard to maintain. The team committed to it because it makes shopping so much easier — and it's one of the things customers are loving most about the new layout.

Book section Run entirely by volunteers and one of the most beloved parts of the store. Other thrift stores say books don't sell — here, they're one of the most successful sections because the curation is that good.

The freshly painted walls When Lisa needed the store painted on a tight timeline, Gonzalez Painting showed up within days. A local color consultant, Elizabeth B., volunteered to pick out the colors in 45 minutes and refused payment. Community showing up for community.

I'll be following up with a deeper story on Extraordinary Ventures, Lisa's incredible journey to this work, and some resources that every family in our community should know about. Stay tuned for that one.

But for now — go visit Extraordinary Thrift. Browse the jewelry. Flip through the books. Grab a statement necklace. Bring a bag of donations. And know that your dollars are doing something that matters right here in Chapel Hill.

Extraordinary Thrift Website: extraordinarythrift.com Follow them on Instagram — and if you're a student looking for an internship, they're hiring for social media help.

Have you visited Extraordinary Thrift? Hit reply and tell me about it — I'd love to hear what you found.