Family traditions inspire new thrift store in Citrus Heights

By Sara Beth Williams–
The Family Outpost opened on Aug. 1 to friendly and excited customers, many of whom expressed their gratitude for the opening of the store.

Tucked in the corner of the Citrus Heights Plaza shopping center at Old Auburn Road and Sunrise Boulevard, The Family Outpost thrift store sports a grand opening banner above the entrance and a red and blue OPEN sign on the window.

Owner Dustin Powell told The Sentinel Thursday that the business has been years in the making. While going through his grandmother’s estate two years prior, Powell found out that his family had plans to take a truck load of her belongings to the dump. Powell insisted on taking all of the belongings himself, and has stored them on his own property since.

Over the years, as he became a collector of miscellaneous items from estate sales and garage sales, and particularly after he acquired his grandmother’s belongings, his parents suggested that he open his own thrift store.

“Over six months of talking about it, looking at it, and now it’s finally here,” Powell said.

Since signing the lease, Powell said surrounding businesses have been supportive and “excited” for the opening of the new thrift shop. He also noted the company’s signs, banners, and shirts were made by SJ Graphics & Printing, a business located in the same shopping center.

Growing up, Powell said his dad went to every estate sale and yard sale, and the family often operated a yard sale booth at Denio’s Farmer’s Market and Swap Meet in Roseville on the weekends. His parents, Powell said, have accumulated more than he and his family have, and his dad’s dream long ago had once been to open a thrift store called “Uncle Dave’s Garage.”

Powell said his parents and family have been “super supportive.” His mom comes in daily to help, and his dad regularly takes boxes of cords, electronics, and other items home to “test.” On opening day, several family members, including two children, wore the same custom tie-dye shirts with the store’s logo on the front.

“This is the closest my family has ever been,” Powell said, adding that they’ve all been working together, laughing, and having fun while preparing the store for opening day.

The thrift shop is filled with racks of home goods, shoes, holiday décor, kids and adult clothing, including a section of local sportswear, and kids toys and games. Powell said he was up until 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning pricing items to prepare for the grand opening.

Powell told The Sentinel last week that he also has a large quantity of furniture that is currently stored at an offsite location and hopes to sell the furniture in the future through an in-store catalog system.

Discount retailer Dollar N More closed abruptly earlier this year after having opened in late 2022, according to prior reports. Adjacent businesses did not know when the store closed, and no sign was posted on the entrance indicating a date of closure. The store’s social media page has been inactive for over a year.

The Family Outpost is located at 7601 Sunrise Blvd. Suite #11, in the former Dollar N More storefront. Neighboring businesses include Macy’s Nail and Hair, Vanity Fur Pet Spa, Paradise Laundry, Safe Credit Union, Master Donuts, and The Human Bean, a drive-thru coffee shop.