By Sara Beth Williams–
After closing in 2023 and then reopening in the spring of 2024, the Underground Clothing Connection has officially vacated Sunrise Mall.
During a visit to the mall last week, Underground Clothing store volunteers were seen hauling the store’s clothing away, but store personnel declined to comment about why the store was closing.
Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team board member and treasurer Kathilynn Carpenter said in an email Thursday that previously the store, which serves families experiencing housing uncertainty, had been given the space for free from November 2020 to June 2022, which Carpenter said was “very generous of them.”
Then, the store began to pay a greatly reduced rent. But their lease was about to expire at the end of July this year. In negotiating a new rent with Namdar Realty Group, the proposed rent was expected to more than double. However, Carpenter emphasized it was still “a good rate” for the space they were occupying.
But Citrus Heights HART, who runs the store, ultimately decided that they couldn’t afford the higher rent.
“We just couldn’t afford it and the other costs of the store. All of our donations—individuals, corporations, grants, etc.—are all way down,” Carpenter said.
The Underground Clothing Connection operates by appointment and referrals only and offers families in the San Juan Unified School District who are experiencing housing insecurity the opportunity to obtain clean and quality, “on trend,” new and gently used clothes for free.
The store has been the only tenant open on the south side of the mall for some time, but the south side was blocked off sometime last year with a retractable gate. Families who qualified for aid could visit the store by appointment, and those wishing to donate new or gently used clothes could do so only on Thursdays and one Saturday a month.
The Clothing Connection closed briefly last year when its store manager stepped down. After a short hiatus, the store acquired a new manager, Michelle Camba, who helped gather a group of core volunteers in order to reopen the store, according to Citrus Heights HART board chair and President Irene Hronicek.
The store celebrated with a grand opening ceremony in September 2024, which was attended by multiple volunteers, Citrus Heights City Council members, and community and regional leaders.
“It really made a positive impact in the parents’ lives and students’ lives,” McBride said, referencing feedback received from the store within the first two years.
Carpenter said HART is still “exploring” whether there will be “a path to continue” the program for families experiencing housing insecurity. In the meantime, HART has seen a rising need for their Rental Assistance program and current fundraising is focused on that program.
*This article has been updated with the correct nonprofit name, Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team.
