Instead of a weekend trip to Target and H&M, students can now get clothes and dorm supplies right on campus for free.

Wildcat Warehouse welcomed its first visitors on Sunday, Jan. 19, offering a wide selection of used clothing and dorm supplies for students to explore.

Located in Swan Cottage, the building behind Conant House, Wildcat Warehouse features items collected last spring through donation boxes placed in each dorm. Over the summer, these donations, including clothes, storage bins, laundry baskets, and hangers, were sorted and stored. All the items in the warehouse are free for students to take. This is the Wildcat Warehouse’s first year of operation.

Previously, clothing left behind in dorms was donated to local thrift stores or charities. However, other items, like hangers, laundry baskets, and storage bins, were often thrown away.

Amber Mish, Director of Health and Wellness Services, began this new initiative with the goal of reusing items that students throw away.

“I wanted to find a way to repurpose those for students the following year and try to cut down on the waste coming from campus,” Mish told The Willistonian.

The idea for Wildcat Warehouse was inspired by Smith College’s programs, SmithCycles and Common Goods, both run by a Williston alumni, Deirdre Quir ’10. SmithCycles began in 2019 and collected approximately 24,000 pounds of donations last year.

Mish spent countless hours over the summer organizing the items.

“It took many hours to go through and wash, sort, and hang all of the items that are in Wildcat Warehouse,” Mish said. “JT [Jason Tirrell, Athletic Equipment Manager] helped me wash the items in the cage and facilities helped me out with making modifications to the space to allow for maximum hanging space. In all, we brought in over 2500 pounds of clothing.”

Mish said even after she kept items that she thought were good for students, she still had a lot to donate to the community.

Thanks to her efforts, Wildcat Warehouse officially opened on Jan. 19, quickly attracting students eager to explore its offerings.

Senior Cici Cao enjoyed visiting the warehouse and found the experience unique.

“Looking for items that I might want to wear was just really fun,” Cici said.

She got a variety of items from the warehouse, including a sweater, a fleece, a blazer jacket, a pair of cargo pants, and a corset that she “might wear for Halloween next year.”

Sophomore Acacia Nickeo found some unique items that she would not be able to get at other places.

“It was really cool because it was from other Williston students so there was a lot of Williston gear that I can’t find in the campus store,” she said.

Cici, along with sophomore Finlay Kavanagh, both reflected on how the experience felt different from traditional thrifting.

“It was kind of a strange feeling because you feel like you know who those clothes are from, and sometimes it’s someone you might know,” she said. “It wasn’t really like thrifting when you don’t know who used to own these. So it was definitely a different feeling but still, I am getting free clothes so there’s nothing to complain about.”

Beyond free items, Cici appreciates the eco-friendliness of Wildcat Warehouse.

“I think it was really cool because reusing clothes and items is really efficient and innovative way for sustainability,” she said. “Those clothes were otherwise be thrown away.”

Acacia sees additional benefits, including better organization in dorm rooms.

“I have so many items that I would donate,” Acacia said. “I think it’s just really helpful when your room gets clustered. There are a bunch of clothes that I don’t need. And it’s not just clothes. If I don’t use a blanket, I can just wash them and donate it and it’s out of my room.”

Peter Suranunt, a junior, advises people to visit the warehouse early for the best selection.

“You know, you go early and then you can take all the good stuff,” he said. “I spent no money and got all the expensive stuff. It’s great.”

He picked up including jackets, dress shoes, pillows, a few T-shirts, polo shirts, and more—some of which he “can’t even remember.”

Both Cici and Acacia hope to see more dorm supplies that are not essential but would be useful to have in their rooms.

“I’d like organizers,” Cici said. “I never really wanted to buy them because they’re so expensive, but sometimes I need them. Right now, I just use Dunkin’ cups that I wash after finishing drinks to organize pens and makeup brushes.”

“I’d like to see room decorations like pillows or banners,” Acacia said. “My walls are very empty so I want to get something fun.”

Mish was thrilled by the turnout on opening day.

“I was so happy to see students in the space on Sunday! It made all of the hours that I worked on it worthwhile!” Mish said. “I was starting to get discouraged because in the fall we were having a hard time coordinating it being open, it seemed like there was something else going on each weekend that we thought would work.”

Looking ahead, Mish hopes to involve students in running Wildcat Warehouse.

“I would love to have student involvement on the operating side of the store as well, the community service club or fashion sustainability club are the first that come to mind,” Mish said. “I also would like to possibly have some day student volunteers to help with the sorting and organizing.”

Mish plans to open Wildcat Warehouse at least once a month and hopes for steady donations to keep it fresh.

“Keeping it open that often also relies on continued donations through the year,” Mish said. “No one will want to keep coming back if it is all the same stuff as last time. In the past collection boxes have only been out during the third trimester but I am going to work on getting them out sooner this year and hopefully keeping them out all year.”

Donations can also be brought to Mish’s office at Health and Wellness.

Wildcat Warehouse will be open on Sunday, Feb. 2, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.