SAN ANTONIO — The Roy Maas Youth Alternatives Center, located at 3103 West Avenue, is closing the doors of its thrift store. Volunteers and donors have helped keep the store going to benefit others.
If you went in there the last few decades, you might hear a ton of hangers clacking on the racks. One of the people who did that frequently was volunteer Gail Gilliam, who’s always had an eye for fashion.
She says she got it from her mom.
"My mom had a boutique, Fashion’s North Boutique, but she also had Repeat Boutique, which was a resale store," said Gilliam. "And after 90 days, the clothes would be off of consignment, and we’d come to Roy Maas."
Gilliam says her mom used to drop off clothes once a month for 24 years. It was the only place she’d do it.
As time passed, Gail says she forgot about Roy Maas until life made a full circle.
"I really kind of discovered Roy Maas just a few years ago and then discovered that my mom had all these connections," Gilliam said. "It was… It was kind of wild."
For two years, Gail donated her clothes and furniture to help others. Now, Roy Maas is shifting its focus to better serve children in need.
"A lot of people really shopped here. And I think that’s going to be a loss for the people in the neighborhood."
The Roy Maas Thrift Center is closing on Saturday, but if you still need help, you can come to the counseling center on the side of the building.
"We have multiple other partners that we work with that provide other resources for families in need of clothing, shelter and food," said Dinorah Talamantez, the Roy Maas Clinic office manager.
Talamantez with the Counseling Center says they help 400 to 500 families a year get living essentials, many of these families coming back on a monthly basis.
"[The closure] has driven more families to ask and inquire about other resources," Talamantez said.
You can come in person if you need resources or support. You can find their contact information here.
