Deseret Industries Thrift Store & Donation Center
Thrift store chain for secondhand clothing & shoes, plus housewares, furniture & small appliances.
About Deseret Industries Thrift Store & Donation Center
Deseret Industries Thrift Store & Donation Center is a nonprofit thrift store and donation center serving Tucson as part of a larger organization owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The store offers secondhand clothing and shoes, along with housewares, furniture, and small appliances. Its work connects everyday shopping and donating with a broader mission: helping individuals improve their lives through work, training, and education.
Deseret Industries was established in 1938 as a job training facility. The first store opened in Salt Lake City, and the organization expanded to California in 1939. By 1963, nine Deseret Industries stores were in operation, including one in Arizona. The name Deseret comes from a word meaning "honey bee," which the organization associates with hard work, productivity, and collaboration.
The goods sold at Deseret Industries begin with community donations. The organization explains that gently used items help fund its job training program, while giving possessions another use and making secondhand goods available at a low cost. Shoppers may find clothing, furniture, housewares, and other practical items, and Deseret Industries also sells some new goods, including furniture and mattresses. The thrift store serves families, students, do-it-yourself creatives, and people looking for budget-conscious options.
The job training program is central to the organization's purpose. Deseret Industries assists associates with training and job readiness, furthering education, removing employment barriers, building confidence, exploring career options, and receiving support during the job search process. Recent stories on the organization's website describe associates developing skills, leadership, confidence, and a renewed sense of direction through the program. Individuals struggling with employment can contact their nearest Deseret Industries location to learn more and apply.
Deseret Industries also emphasizes reuse, recycling, and humanitarian aid. When donated items do not sell in a store, they may be sent for humanitarian relief, including shoes, clothing, and bedding distributed worldwide. Materials that are no longer usable can enter recycling efforts involving textiles, electronics, metals, books, and other goods. In 2024, the organization reported 46 stores, more than 10,000 individuals enrolled in its program, more than 43 million items sold, and more than 78 million pounds recycled. Those figures reflect a system built around keeping usable goods in circulation while supporting training and employment.
For Tucson shoppers, the store provides a place to browse secondhand clothing, shoes, furniture, housewares, and small appliances. For donors, it offers a way to pass along items that may still be useful while contributing to Deseret Industries' training mission. People interested in the job training program can begin by contacting the nearest location, while shoppers and donors can use the store's location information to get started.