Located in the center of downtown Fruita, Colorado, right off Circle Park, the Fruita Thrift Shop is a nonprofit volunteer-run thrift store that has been a source for affordable resold goods for residents all over the Grand Valley for decades, (including for my wife, who is an all-too frequent shopper).
Opened in 1951, it’s one of eight thrift stores in the Grand Junction area, and the only thrift store in Fruita, (not including for-profit vintage resellers like The Vintage.)
The store uses its profits to support numerous clubs and non-profit organizations, including Fruita Monument High School’s branch of the Future Farmers of America, the Catholic Outreach Soup Kitchen, rebuilding the fire department, among many others.
Accordingly to the article in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, the Fruita Thrift store donated over $100,000 in 2022 alone.
Since its opening in 1951, this thrift store has built a reputation for being an affordable resource for clothing, housewares, books, DVDs, and more. Everytime I’ve been there, I’ve found the staff of volunteers to be very friendly and helpful.
Situated at the corner of S. Park Circle, and S. Mesa Street, the Fruita Thrift store has an open feel to it, with long racks of clothes dominating the older building, and a smaller selection of books and magazines on the right hand side.
(The black star is the location for the Fruita Thrift Shop).
It’s full of typical thrift-store fare: second-hand clothing, home goods, stuffed animals, kitchen items, small appliances, books, seasonal items (Halloween costumes, Christmas decorations, etc.) and more. And because the store is based on donations, the inventory can vary widely week to week.
Behind the main store, the Fruita Annex is a whole ‘nother building, with tools, sporting goods, bikes and a lot of outdoor gear like tents, reels, ski and snowboard gear, softballs, and the like. We picked up a barely-used baseball bat for my son there. After the season, it was still barely-used (there are a lot of walks in little league).
Fruita Thrift Shop Location & Phone
142 South Park Square
Fruita, Colorado 81521
Phone number: (970) 639-2577
Fruita Thrift Shops Hours
Sunday, Monday & Tuesday: Closed.
Wednesday – Saturday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Fruita Thrift Store Donations
Donation drop off hours are the same as operating hours, that is, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM on Wednesdays through Saturdays.
Donations can be made at the new donation yard, (just completed in September 2025), which is a covered structure just south of the annex.
According to the Fruita Thrift Shop, acceptable donations include: electronics, Books, VHS/DVD/Blu-ray/Video games, Toys/board games, Pet supplies, kitchen Items/small appliances, artwork, lightly used clothing, craft/Holiday items, linens, bedding, pillows, tools and furniture.
Please note they are not able to accept mattresses, large appliances (like that broken dryer you’re trying to unload), or any TVs.
Visiting tips
On Mondays and Tuesdays, volunteers separate and stock the donations that have arrived, meaning all the “new stuff” is available early Wednesday morning.
This is why you’ll often see a line outside the store, just before the 9:30 AM opening on Wednesday mornings.
The store will often have half-off sales. You’ll have to keep tabs on their Facebook page to see when these are in effect.
Reviews
My wife and I have had nothing but great experiences here. It’s hard to be critical of a volunteer-run store that is basically a great charity that helps the community, but here are some other customer reviews of the Fruita Thrift store:
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The people that work there are kind-hearted. They do amazing things for this community
dane baxter
January 1, 2025I had a bad experience with one of the female checkout person,( short, short white hair, heavy set), she was so very rude and judgemental that she made me feel like a loser!!! Like she was better than me!!!😢 please find more compassionate people to be there!!!!
Dana
October 21, 2023Extremely great staff, prices , and products. I love the fact that money goes back to the community.
Diane Bean
August 23, 2024 -
Very friendly and helpful. Thank you, Karen.
Eric Mcfarlin
September 7, 2023Love this place! The $.25 baby clothes are wonderful! And I find the best books for my grandkids.
Alicia Riley
March 16, 2023This is the best small town thrift store In this area, The best thing about this store is, it gives back to the community.
D. Francis
January 4, 2023 -
I was clothed out of this place as a child by my grandmother! it’s so sad how expensive everything is in this store. in this economy we need a place to save money. And this manager has no business being in charge of a thrift shop. When you can’t afford the merchandise at a thrift shop there is a major problem! they are basically a retail store selling used items !They get it all for free and mark it at online prices ! HORSE CRAP! Im very unhappy with the manager running this three ring sideshow.I’ll be there 10/23/24 to have a conversation with the boss or owner! Sincerely Harlen jones.
Harlen Jones
October 20, 2024Fantastic items & prices and the people are so friendly
Rhonda Hanley
March 11, 2023Please don’t change! Goodwill and Arc prices are ridiculous and thankfully the Fruita thrift store leave us with one option for what thrifting should be. Only wish you guys were open all the time so I could blow more money there.
Mary Barrand
September 5, 2025
Other
- All items are taxed the Fruita/County/Colorado sales tax rate of 8.27%
- The minimum charge when using a credit or debit card is $3.00
- The Fruita Chamber of Commerce named the Fruita Thrift Shop the “Non-Profit of the Year” for 2024.
So whether you’re hunting for a deal, looking to donate, or simply want to support local causes while doing so, this shop offers a little something for everyone.
Next time you’re in Fruita or passing through Western Colorado, check out the Fruita Thrift Shop – not just for what you’ll find, but for what you’ll support.
(By Steve Beauregard. Photos copyright GJFruita.com)