The Thrifty Cat — UK’s new campus free store for students

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2025) — A new kind of store is opening on the University of Kentucky campus, but instead of ringing up purchases, all items are free for UK students.

The Thrifty Cat, UK’s first-ever campus free store, will officially open its doors Friday, Oct. 17, with a grand opening event from 3-4:30 p.m. between Blazer Dining and Holmes Hall. Students are invited to browse shelves of gently used clothing, school supplies, dorm and apartment essentials, and other items — all at no cost.

The idea and initiative behind The Thrifty Cat came from a student. Olivia Smith, a natural resources and environmental science senior, proposed the concept as part of her internship with UK Recycling through the Sustainability Internship Program. Inspired by a similar program at the University of Louisville, she envisioned a permanent resource that would support students and promote the reuse or reduction of waste.

“I wanted to offer a solution to reuse the items left behind during move out each year,” Smith said. “I liked the idea of keeping these items on campus and offering them to students for free.”

From that vision came a plan: Smith conducted student surveys, created a plan to secure donations and formed a student volunteer team to bring the store to life.

“There is a growing trend in thrifting for environmental and economic benefit. UK Recycling’s Annual Thrift Shop Pop-Up participation is expanding each year and by offering a similar permanent resource, I hope to see even more engagement,” Smith said. “With additional items like furniture and school supplies, I expect to have an even larger impact and anticipate that The Thrifty Cat will only continue to grow.”

The Thrifty Cat was built from the success UK Recycling saw with its annual Thrift Shop Pop-up and Give and Go program. The growth of these initiatives showcased a need and opportunity to open a permanent, year-round store for students to access free items.

“The Thrifty Cat is a way for us to promote reuse on a daily basis to our campus,” said Ryan Lark, zero-waste specialist in UK Facilities Management. “Now, donations can go right back into our campus community, prioritizing students first.”

Not only envisioned and created by a student, but The Thrifty Cat is also staffed entirely by student volunteers.

“I think it’s an amazing resource that helps support the university’s sustainability goals,” said Graciela Martinez, an environmental and sustainability studies senior and The Thrifty Cat volunteer. “I am excited to see it come into full bloom and be an integral part of being a UK student. It’s a place where you are bound to find something interesting to take with you.”

The Thrifty Cat compliments existing student resources and has partnered with the Office of Basic Needs, Big Blue Pantry, Coats for Cats and Wildcat Wardrobe.

“We are all working to uplift each other through cross promotion to reach a higher level of awareness of the resources available to UK students,” Lark said. “The Thrifty Cat showcases the university’s commitment to sustainability while also serving as an economic resource to UK students. It’s a way we can serve our community while simultaneously improving our environment.”

The Thrifty Cat is more than just a place to grab a new hoodie or a gently used lamp; it’s a key part of UK’s broader zero-waste initiative. By keeping items on campus and in circulation, the store helps reduce landfill waste and encourages students to adopt sustainable habits.

“The more our community is exposed to and involved in zero-waste behaviors like this, the closer we get to becoming a zero-waste campus,” Lark said.

Students can participate by donating clean, gently used items or shopping for what they need. The campus community is also encouraged to donate items and donation bins will be available at the grand opening and throughout the year outside the store.

For Smith, seeing The Thrifty Cat come to life is more than a project, it’s a passion.

“I’m passionate about reducing and reusing as much as possible, especially within a community like UK,” she said. “This is important to me because I want more people to know about the advantages of secondhand consumerism. With our fast-paced schedules, we get caught up with buying the next new thing. Maybe what you need is already here.”

The Thrifty Cat is located in the basement of Blazer Dining in Room 5, the former Wildcat Wheels space. Learn more about what’s available, fall operating hours and how to donate items at facilities.uky.edu/thrifty-cat.