EAST LANSING, Mich– The Freetail Store in the Lansing Mall is attempting to change the narrative of what a traditional shopping experience is, one day at a time
“This is a concept I don’t think has ever been tried,” owner and founder Michael Karl said.
Karl founded The Freetail Store in December of 2020. The store seeks to give those who couldn’t normally afford a traditional shopping experience the ability to shop with dignity and integrity.
Accordingly, the store gives away everything it receives for free. Community donations of clothes, toys, diapers and other non-perishable items are turned over daily to the store in order to be distributed to those who need it.
“We have touched thousands of lives, thousands,” Sue Lance, a volunteer said.
The store is completely run by a dedicated team of volunteers that oversee the store’s hours of operation, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on weekdays.
The store doesn’t require any sort of income threshold proof when distributing its donations; those who want something can come and take it.
It accepts drop-in donations during store hours, but it also accepts donations via PayPal, Cashapp as well as checks and money orders. More information about volunteering opportunities and donation guidelines can be found at https://thefretailstore.com.