Clothes Less Traveled Travels to Newnan
Thrift shop brings grant mission to Coweta
Written by MELISSA JACKSON
Photographed by JACKIE KENNEDY
Clothes Less Traveled Newnan's store manager, Alain Bulambo appreciates the opportunity to lead an organization that helps not only those who shop at CLT but also the many local nonprofits that receive grants from the organization.
There’s little Newnan and Coweta residents enjoy less than the drive to Peachtree City. As most locals lament, afternoons on Bullsboro Drive can often stretch to evening.
The warehouse-scale thrift store, Clothes Less Traveled (CLT), is one reason to make the trip, despite the traffic.
And now, Newnan has its own Clothes Less Traveled, an outlet that’s an easy drive down Jackson Street to Avery Park, across from Little Giant Grocery Store.
The petite new storefront boasts plenty of parking, a happy staff, and curated picks for women and men. It also funds grants and opportunities for organizations and individuals here in Coweta and back in its home county of Fayette. According to its website, Clothes Less Traveled has funded over $9 million in grants since it opened in 1997, and much of that has benefitted Coweta.
Many people don’t know that, according to Gina Watkiss, a science teacher at The Heritage School and CLT board member.
“With three years on the CLT board, I continue to hear that many Coweta residents think that CLT only funds nonprofits in Fayette County,” says Watkiss. “But CLT has always served nonprofits in both counties; it simply happened that the store is located in Peachtree City.”
The second CLT store opened on August 8 last year at 10 The Boulevard, Suite 104 in Newnan's Avery Park area. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the boutique-style shop offers curated clothing for women and men.
“By having our new shop in Newnan, we are hoping to draw more clientele and supporters,” says Watkiss. “Our new shop is small and is like a boutique with great clothes at a fabulous price!”
There’s often a $1 rack prominently displayed, according to the local board member.
As a nonprofit thrift shop, every purchase at both CLT locations supports local charities. In fact, nearly half of CLT's grant recipients are located in Coweta County.
In April 2025 alone, CLT awarded $333,250 in grants to 56 organizations. Coweta recipients that month included Coweta FORCE, CASA, The Samaritan Clinic, Backstreet Arts, Newnan Theatre Company, CORRAL, Angel House, Coweta Pregnancy Services and RiverLife.
“I also served on the Grants Committee this year,” says Watkiss, “and was impressed by the local nonprofits that we were able to award grants.”
The journey of Clothes Less Traveled began humbly in 1997 when MaryAnn Cox and Joan Velsmid opened the first thrift shop in Peachtree City. People had been dropping off donations at Cox’s office at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and the collections grew so large that the only solution was to open a store.
The shop started in a small storefront on Huddleston Road and was named The Clothes Less Traveled by Janet McGregor Dunn. Since then, it’s grown into an impressive 25,000-square-foot flagship location.
Along with providing grants to local nonprofits, Clothes Less Traveled offers scholarships to student volunteers.
“It has been an honor to present scholarships at the East Coweta High School Seniors Honors Night,” Watkiss says. “I have met graduating seniors who strive for excellence in all areas of their lives and am impressed by the hours that are put in volunteering at CLT.”
On their website, CLT’s mission is simply stated: to empower change in our community by giving away our profits in the form of grants to local charities, as well as scholarships. NCM
