Co-founders and partners, Breanna White and Marcio Santos, each of whom have been individually touched by the shadow of domestic violence, have opened Impact Thrift in the Pratt Station Shopping Plaza at 7525 Auburn Blvd. in Citrus Heights.

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Impact Thrift, a new for-profit thrift store that seeks to empower women who have been adversely affected by domestic violence, recently opened in the Pratt Station Shopping Plaza at 7525 Auburn Blvd., Citrus Heights.

The retail plaza is also home to the nonprofit Single Mom Strong, founded in 2015 and located next door offering its EmpowerME Preschool and Childcare programs.

At Impact Thrift, customers can dive into a diverse collection of reasonably-priced thrifted treasures from one-of-a-kind apparel to charming home décor. There’s also plenty of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing to choose from. New merchandise of all kinds arrives daily.

Co-founders and partners, Breanna White and Marcio Santos, each of whom have been individually touched by the shadow of domestic violence, said they established Impact Thrift as a “for-profit business with a social mission.”

“We’ve both been there and we want to help others like ourselves who have faced similar challenging circumstances,” White and Santos said.

At Impact Thrift, customers can dive into a diverse collection of reasonably priced thrifted treasures, from one-of-a-kind apparel to charming home décor.

The store is a family-operated affair, with Marcio’s mother, Leonor, responsible for much of the sorting of incoming, donations, decorating store displays and welcoming customers.

“Leonor, a single mom of three for a long time, is a retired nurse and also a domestic violence survivor,” White said. “Marcio and I are so very grateful for her help.”

White described her own personal journey putting her life back together as a homeless, single parent when a professional career suddenly came crashing down around her due to domestic violence.

“It’s been a long journey back,” White said. “While Impact Thrift is not a nonprofit organization, we work directly with nonprofits like Women’s Empowerment (WE) in downtown Sacramento to source resources for those in need. I’m grateful that WE was there when I needed help to find my way back.”

The group Women’s Empowerment helps to educate and empower women who have been in situations, such as Breanna to equip them with the necessary skills and confidence to get a job, maintain a healthy lifestyle and regain a home for themselves and their children.

White is a recent graduate of a nine-week job readiness program offered by WE and credits completion of their program, which gave her the necessary confidence to open Impact Thrift with her partner Marcio Santos.

Ten percent of all retail sales at Impact Thrift are given back to the Women’s Empowerment nonprofit programs.

“I can’t stress enough how much work Marcio has put into all of this,” White said. “He still works another job as a marketing director for a solar company just to make sure ends meet. In time we both hope Impact Thrift can become our full-time work.”

White credits Marcio with finding the store location, helping to file all the necessary reselling permits with the city of Citrus Heights and helping at the store in the afternoon after his other job to help close it. 

The couple first started out selling at Denio’s Roseville Farmer’s Market and Swap Meet in 2024 before they found a permanent retail location in Citrus Heights.

Both are optimistic that customers who stop by will find a wide range of unique, meaningful items, all at reasonable prices. The two have signed a three-year lease for their commercial space continue to add to store inventory from many public donations which they receive.

“At Impact Thrift, we’re not just a thrift store; I believe we’re a movement for change. Every purchase and donation directly support women who are overcoming domestic violence and homelessness,” White said.

The retail store serves as a general clearinghouse for donations of all types of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing which is then selected to be offered for sale.

Items that can empower women, especially those useful for job placement like professional-looking business attire, shoes and purses are welcome donations.

“These contributions are invaluable in supporting women to feel confident and prepared for job interviews and professional settings,” White said.

Impact Thrift at 7525 Auburn Blvd. in Citrus Heights is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Donations of warm and everyday women’s clothes are also accepted and sorted for retail sale at the store.

Some are donated to Maryhouse, a daytime hospitality shelter of Loaves and Fishes for women and families in Sacramento.

“Donations of usable warm men’s clothing of all types in good condition, and tents, sleeping bags and blankets which we receive will find a new home at Francis House Center, which is a program of Next Move Homeless Services in Sacramento that supports men in need,” White said. “As we grow and receive more donations from the public, we’re able to allocate more resources and give back even more to the greater community. This sustainable model ensures that every donation not only directly supports individuals in need but also helps to maintain and expand our operations, allowing for a broader impact.”

Impact Thrift at 7525 Auburn Boulevard in Citrus Heights is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

“Your support plays a vital role in our mission to help women impacted by domestic violence,” White said.

For more information concerning specific donation guidelines or how to help, visit impactthriftshop.com, call 279-901-1519 or email [email protected].