PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — In a neighborhood long defined by resilience, a teen-run thrift shop in Kensington is showing that style – and second chances – never go out of fashion.<\/p>\n
At FAB FITS, everything on the racks is free, but the real value comes from the jobs and life skills the young employees gain behind the counter.<\/p>\n
The shop, located on Atlantic Street and operated by the nonprofit FAB Youth Philly, is staffed by teens who help their peers pick out secondhand clothing, including everyday wear and even formal outfits.<\/p>\n
Sixteen-year-old Keoni Halo said the mission is simple.<\/p>\n
“The clothes are donated and bought for the less fortunate and re-donated,” he said. Helping others, he added, “feels so good. It’s like – it’s like hope. It’s like helping someone in need.”<\/p>\n
For some shoppers, the store offers more than a wardrobe refresh.<\/p>\n
“You never know what someone’s going through,” said 19-year-old Elishama Johnson of Nicetown. “Maybe they have one pair of something they like, and they want another pair. This is great for that.”<\/p>\n
Founder Rebecca Fabiano said the idea grew from years of listening to teens describe what they needed.<\/p>\n
“The idea came from years of listening to young people tell us what they need,” she said. “Teens said I would shop in a place like this if it existed.”<\/p>\n
Since opening last month, foot traffic has been steady. The nonprofit is grant-funded and focuses on workforce development, paying teens at least $15 an hour while they build r\u00e9sum\u00e9s and job skills.<\/p>\n
“They’re working, learning workforce skills or developing their resume, and they’re doing something that they feel proud about,” Fabiano said.<\/p>\n
Downstairs, a sewing room gives teens the chance to learn how to upcycle clothing. For employee Destiny Providence, the work is about more than fashion.<\/p>\n
“It brings comfort. Like, I like the fact that we can help other people. People come here to feel comfortable,” she said.<\/p>\n
Whether teens leave with a new outfit or a new sense of purpose, FAB FITS aims to hand out something deeper than clothing – confidence.<\/p>\n
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