What is a free store?
A free store is like a thrift store but everything in it is free!
What items to do accept?
We accept most household goods: clothing, kitchenware, art supplies, electronics, books, games, toys, and kids items. Have something you’re not sure we’ll accept? Contact us here.
What items don’t you accept?
We do not accept furniture, food or junk – donations should be a gift to someone else! We can’t pay to dispose of things that are broken, dirty, moldy or unwanted. Make sure to only bring clean items and washed clothes (significantly ripped and stained clothes will be fabric recycled).
When are you open?
We are open Sundays 11am-2pm and Mondays 5pm-8pm for the 2025 season April-November ish. We are closed for winter because we’re in an unheated space.
Do I need to donate to take things?
No! We are a mutual aid collective. Give what you want and take what you need. Often our society says we can only take when we give. There are many among us who need more than we can give or who have more to share than we need. Redistro celebrates the abundance of the Valley with a free flowing redistribution of goods, services, time, and labor.
How do I donate stuff?
Please sort donations into the shop itself. Categorize goods like with like and hang up all clothing. Please only donate items while we’re open and don’t dump outside.
How is everything free?
Redistro relies on the people who use the space to keep it running. We don’t have staff so volunteers keep everything organized. We contribute sweat equity in exchange for use of the warehouse.
We don’t want cost to be a barrier to using the space. We welcome folks to contribute financially if you’re able to to support operations, through Open Collective (one time or recurring monthly donation), venmo @redistro, or cash in the store.
What does mutual aid mean?
Mutual aid is a system of local community connection and support. Resources are shared so that people who have more than they need can directly support people who have less than they need. Mutual aid is about solidarity, not charity (people giving to an organization that makes decisions, local or not, about how to use those resources); it is also different from government support programs (systems of local and national management distributing resources according to who they determine has the highest need). Mutual aid is cooperative, direct, and organized by and for our communities.
Who is Redistro for?
Everyone! If you have things that you don’t need, you can bring them for community members who do. If you need things, you can come shop for them. If you want to get involved in supporting your neighbors, you can volunteer with us to keep everything running. And if you want to connect with local folks, you can come share space, projects, and conversation!
How did Redistro start?
Redistro began as a dream for a “Valley Exchange Network” to circulate goods and build community locally. As students during Five College move out, we watched the overflowing dumpsters in the spring and the packed shopping lines in the fall. @PVcurb instagram was created in 2020 as curb alerts for free stuff. We eventually wanted a home for a community space where people could exchange goods. We started up as a pilot in a 2nd floor room at 76 Hope St in Greenfield in the summer of 2023. A year later, we moved into Arch St warehouse for September 2024. PVcurb moved over to signal to be more peer-to-peer (“People’s Valley”). We are still very much evolving and growing!
How can I get involved and help?
Feel free to join our signal chats for communication about Redisto, Redistro Rando, or PVcurb signal chats for free stuff in each county. We welcome support with hosting open hours, helping for work parties, or getting involved in governance circles. In general, if you see something that could be improved, please feel empowered to help since it’s your space.
How are you organized; what is sociocracy?
We have subcircles for operations and facilities including Redistro Beautification Society. We also have a general circle coordinating hub. We are using principles from sociocracy for distributed decision making through linked nonhierarchical circles.