The Clothing Closet Comes to Middleburg
Written by Lia Hobel | Photos by Gracie Savage
Middleburg will welcome a new mission-driven shopping destination this July when Tree of Life Ministries opens its third Clothing Closet location at 15 East Federal Street. The boutique-style thrift shop combines affordable shopping with practical support for local families by offering free clothing through a voucher program for those in need.
For Susannah Lee, chief executive officer of Tree of Life Ministries, the Middleburg opening represents both growth and continuity. The nonprofit began in 2008 and has expanded steadily across Loudoun County and into northern Fauquier, building its work around food, shelter, healthcare, relief, and life skills. “Last year we [helped] over 34,000 individuals in Loudoun alone, and now we’ve grown into northern Fauquier,” Lee says.
“The purpose of the Clothing Closet was so that we could offer a beautiful boutique shopping experience and [support] those that need clothes that couldn’t afford it,” Lee explains. “Dignity… to come in and have a complete shopping experience.”
That boutique approach has become central to the Clothing Closet’s identity. Rather than a typical thrift store, each location is designed to feel warm, organized, and welcoming. The atmosphere is inspired by Lee’s background in retail and a desire to create a space where every shopper — whether browsing for a bargain or receiving assistance — feels respected.
“Also, it just feels different,” Lee continues. “I knew what I wanted our stores not to be, and not to look like, and not to smell like.”
The Clothing Closet’s blush, white, and gray color palette is based on a decorative vase Lee was given years ago — an image that helped her imagine a softer, more polished environment than most people associate with thrift retail. Her experience working with brands like Ann Taylor and Bloomingdale’s informed the aesthetic choices, creating consistency from store to store while still allowing each space to reflect its own architecture and character.
The new Middleburg shop will open in a historic building at the corner of Federal and Liberty streets, with an entrance on the side. Inside, the store opens into a charming lower level with a balcony, stairs, and a layout that feels more like a small boutique than a thrift shop. The lower floor will feature jewelry, dresses, and the checkout area, while fitting rooms are located upstairs. Large windows fill the space with natural light and look out onto greenery beyond Middleburg Baptist Church, giving the interior an airy, almost serene quality. The organization has been looking for an opportunity to expand westward for some time, with the goal of serving both western Loudoun and nearby Fauquier communities.
The Middleburg store is the third location, following two existing Clothing Closet branches in Purcellville and Leesburg. Tree of Life describes the enterprise as “clothing with a cause,” with proceeds supporting the ministry’s larger outreach efforts while donations help stock the racks with gently used and new items for women, men, and children.
Lee emphasized that the shop’s appeal is not about exclusivity, but about quality and accessibility. “We don’t increase our prices,” she says. “I want the quality to be great. I want prices to be low, even with our paying customers, because I want them to understand the bargain that they’re getting when they walk into our stores.”
That philosophy has helped the Clothing Closet become more than a resale shop. It is also an access point for families that need help clothing children for school, adults for work, or households for a new season. Private shopping appointments are also available for voucher recipients so families can shop with dignity and personal attention.
“Last year alone, we gave over 430 individuals free clothing out of our two locations,” Lee says. “We call the people that we serve partners, because we start to have relationships with those people that we serve,” she adds, underscoring Tree of Life’s commitment to community care.
For Middleburg residents, the opening brings a new option for shopping local while supporting a nonprofit. For Tree of Life, it’s another step in extending a model that blends retail, volunteerism, and practical aid into one storefront. Those who would like to donate clothing, volunteer, or inquire about clothing assistance can reach out directly to Tree of Life Ministries by emailing info@tolministries.org.
“We are excited to add Middleburg as a third location of the Clothing Closet,” Lee shares. “We are just incredibly excited to have an opportunity to serve that part of the county, and then even over into Fauquier County.”
The grand opening and ribbon-cutting are scheduled for July 9. The celebration is expected to include community leaders, local officials, and refreshments, with Tree of Life’s SimplyBe Coffee cart also on-site. ML
Published in the July 2026 issue of Middleburg Life.