If you’re searching for a thrift store in Northwest Arkansas, here’s one worth the drive. UpStart Thrift sits at 235 E. Main Street in Farmington, just west of Fayetteville on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and it’s a little different from most secondhand shops in NWA: it’s run entirely by volunteers, and after rent and utilities, 100% of the profit goes to small business grants and Kiva loans for entrepreneurs right here in Washington County.
This guide covers what to expect on a first visit, from hours and location to what’s on the racks and where your money ends up.
Where it is and when to go
UpStart Thrift is at 235 E. Main Street, Farmington, AR 72730, on the west side of the Fayetteville metro. From Fayetteville, head west on MLK Jr. Boulevard, which becomes Main Street in Farmington. From Springdale, Rogers or Bentonville, it’s a straight shot down I-49 to the MLK exit, then west.
Store hours are:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9 AM to 1 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 1 PM
Closed Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday
Because the store runs on volunteer shifts, hours are shorter than a big-box thrift chain. Mornings are the window.
What you’ll find inside
In September 2026 the store reopened in an expanded 4,928-square-foot space, which added room for inventory, displays and checkout. That means more racks and more to look through than in the store’s first four years.
The expanded sales floor at UpStart Thrift in Farmington.
Donations come from neighbors in Farmington, Fayetteville, Prairie Grove and across Northwest Arkansas, so the mix changes week to week. The regular departments are:
Clothing for all ages and sizes, including seasonal racks (winter coats in the cold months, prom dresses in the spring)
Handbags, purses, jewelry and accessories
Home goods and decor
Linens and bedding
Toys and games
Small furniture pieces
Everything on the floor was donated and is priced to sell for what it’s worth. It’s a good place to outfit kids who outgrow things every season, furnish a first apartment, or find a coat without spending much.
Why the prices stay low
Most of the people you’ll meet at UpStart, from the person sorting donations to the person ringing you up, are volunteers. Since the store opened in 2022, volunteers have given more than 20,000 hours. With no payroll to cover, the store’s only major costs are rent and utilities, and that’s what keeps prices down and leaves more profit for the community.
Where your money goes
This is the part that makes UpStart unusual. After rent and utilities, every dollar of profit funds two things:
UpStart small business grants, needs-based grants starting at $500 for early-stage and growth-stage business owners in Washington County. Grants have covered things like signage and packaging for Pedal Pops / Pedal Park in Farmington, repairs for My-T-By-Design after a tornado forced a move from Rogers to Fayetteville, refrigeration for Magnolia Coffee House, and geothermal upgrades at Fat Top Farm.
Kiva NWA loans, 0% interest, crowdfunded business loans administered by Startup Junkie Foundation.
Since it began issuing grants, UpStart has supported more than 35 Washington County small businesses and deployed more than $50,000 through grants and Kiva support. So a sweater off the rack isn’t just a sweater; it’s a few dollars toward a neighbor’s business. You can see the recipients at upstart-impact.org and read about the program on our Grants page.
Sweaters and home goods in the expanded store. After rent and utilities, every dollar of profit funds local small business grants and Kiva loans.
Bring a donation while you’re at it
If you’re making the trip anyway, it’s a good excuse to clear out a closet. The store accepts clean, gently used clothing, handbags, jewelry and accessories, toys and games, linens and bedding, home goods and decor, and small furniture. Drop off during store hours, or use the secure 24-hour donation bin behind the store. For a large load or a tax receipt, contact the team ahead of time.
Good to know before you go
UpStart is a project of Startup Junkie Foundation, a Fayetteville-based 501(c)(3), so donations of goods and money are tax deductible.
Donations that don’t sell often still find a home. The store has shared clothing with school closets in Prairie Grove and Farmington, baby clothes with the Salvation Army shelter, bikes with Pedal It Forward, and books with libraries and assisted living residents.
The store is small enough that volunteers will know where things are. Ask.
UpStart Thrift is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings at 235 E. Main Street in Farmington. See you on the racks.