Seattle Children’s will close its Kent Bargain Boutique store Sept. 30 after 28 years downtown at 215 W. Meeker St.

“After careful consideration, Seattle Children’s made the decision to close the Kent Bargain Boutique when the current lease expires in October,” a Seattle Children’s spokesperson said in an Aug. 31 statement emailed to the Kent Reporter. “We are deeply grateful to the staff and community who have helped support the Bargain Boutique’s mission to raise funds for uncompensated care to help care for all children, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.”

A spokesperson said Seattle Children’s would not release any other information about the closing at this time and did not respond to questions about the reasons for closing besides the lease expiring. The spokesperson said the Kent store opened in 1995. Seattle Children’s also has bargain boutiques in Redmond, Bainbridge Island and Olympia.

The bargain boutiques carry donated antiques, vintage collections and current brand names such as Ann Taylor, Louis Vuitton, Nordstrom, Tiffany and more, according to the Seattle Children’s website. All net proceeds benefit Seattle Children’s.

“Most beloved thrifting I’ve experienced— over many decades now,” said one woman in response to the closure on the Kent Bargain Boutique Facebook page. “My sense is that Seattle Children’s decision-makers have no idea how much this boutique means to our Kent community.”

Seattle Children’s posted the following message Aug. 31 on its Kent Bargain Boutique Facebook page:

“Seattle Children’s and the Seattle Children’s Retail team have made the difficult decision to close the Kent Bargain Boutique on Sept. 30 when the current lease expires. We know this news may be disappointing, and we want you to know how much we appreciate everything you do to help the patients and families who need Seattle Children’s most. Your passion for Seattle Children’s and the patients we serve is greatly appreciated, and we will be forever grateful.”

Shopping hours at the Kent store are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The shop is closed on Sundays. Donation hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

“Our Bargain Boutiques depend on good-quality donations from thoughtful individuals and businesses,” according to the Seattle Children’s website. “We are always in need of new and gently used clothing, furniture and antiques in good condition.”

Items accepted include furniture and furnishings, jewelry, antiques, collectibles and new and gently used clothing.

For more than 100 years, Seattle Children’s Hospital has specialized in meeting the unique physical, emotional and developmental needs of children from infancy through young adulthood, according to its website. The research division at Seattle Children’s is working to cure childhood disease and improve outcomes for children all over the world.

In addition to its Seattle hospital and research institute, Seattle Children’s operates urgent care facilities in Seattle, Bellevue, Federal Way and Everett; two primary care clinics in Seattle; and numerous regional and speciality care locations, including South Clinic in Federal Way.

Seattle Children’s opened its thrift store in downtown Kent in 1995. COURTESY PHOTO, Seattle Children’s