BURTON, Ohio — As inflation drives up the prices of clothing and just about everything else, residents of the Shire Shack in Burton are seeing a continued need for free used clothing for the community.

News 5 first visited the Shire Shack in 2022, born out of the pandemic by Kristin Wiser, as a place to find free, well-kept second-hand clothing for those in need.

Free clothing closet for students in need expands into new space in Burton

RELATED: Free clothing closet for students in need expands into new space in Burton

At first, Wiser ran the store out of a garage in his backyard, then expanded to a storefront in Burton.

Fast forward to today, and the Berkshire Local School District is handling things now, with no need to slow down anytime soon.

“(The need) increased over the holidays,” said Ashley Brzozowski, special programs coordinator.

The store currently operates at 13724 Carlton St. in Burton, in space donated by the Abundant Life Ministry Center.

The Shire Shack is run by students as part of the school’s “Badger Lab,” a vocational program intended to equip students for life after high school.

Brzozowski told News 5 there are currently about 13 students in the program.

“We help students, regardless of their abilities, acquire post-secondary job skills so that they can at some point enter the adult workforce and be successful,” Brzozowski added.

“It’s my favorite job,” said Sydney Rohl, 17.

Folding, sorting and using basic social and life skills to prepare them for life outside the classroom – and they’re already putting it all to use.

“I work at Giant Eagle in Chardon, I work at Dominos in Middlefield and I work at Kent Cafe at Kent State,” Tyler Pobuda, 18, said.

While census data shows more than 6 percent of Geauga County’s population lives below the poverty line, organizers told News 5 that anyone is allowed to come and shop at the Shire Shack.

“When people come in, there are no requirements, it’s there for everyone,” said Janice Shipman, a job coach at Berkshire High School.

Lydia Troyer often visits the store to help her family and five children navigate life after being Amish.

“(My kids) find good things and once they grow out of them, we’ll bring them back and continue to recycle them, it’s awesome,” she said.

Discover the Shire Shack Facebook page to see their hours for shopping or dropping off gently used clothing.