Magpie Thrift Nominated for Two Intentionalist Awards!
We're so excited to share that our partner, Magpie Thrift, has been recognized for their amazing work in our community! They have been nominated for both the "Rookie of the Year" as well as the "Heart of the Community" awards.
Everly Team
9/5/20254 min read
"Spend Like It Matters" at Magpie Thrift
Congratulations to the Magpie Thrift team for this amazing recognition! We're such big fans of everything the Intentionalist is doing, and to have our partner stores recognized like this means a lot. We may be a nonprofit, but we totally agree that we all should, "spend like it matters."
Our nonprofit was started side-by-side with the Magpie Thrift team to use their work to power more good in our communities. Neither of us would exist without the other!
Not only does Magpie help fund our nonprofit and majorly support our resource redistribution program, they are also are important third spaces themselves. Both store locations are dedicated to fostering welcoming, diverse, and Queer-friendly spaces where everyone can find affordable goods in a friendly space.
Supporting Diverse Small Businesses Makes Our World Stronger!
Magpie Thrift is a proudly Asian and woman-owned business, started with a trusted team of lifelong thrift lovers supporting this new venture from the very start. The store's owner (and our nonprofit's executive director!) has a deep love for Seattle and a long history in our community, trying to make it a better place to be for everyone.
It is also a deeply Queer-positive business, with a large portion their staff identifying as Queer or with a history of allyship. Both stores sort their clothing by function and cut, rather than gender, and staff are encouraged to express themselves and their unique style freely in a trans-inclusive space.
It's no secret that when marginalized folks come together, it can make us all stronger! These stores and our nonprofit's partnership with them is a reflection of that strength. Regardless of how these awards pan out, Magpie Thrift will continue to work towards supporting our community... But it's nice to be recognized all the same (:
"Heart of the Community"
It's true that Magpie Thrift really wouldn't exist without the amazing community surrounding it. (And that's not just because there'd be nothing to sell without everyone donating they're old stuff!)
Magpie began with the sole purpose of giving back. From the beginning, they have been partnered with our nonprofit—funding, supporting, and housing everything we've been able to do so far. They are the primary support for our resource redistribution program, giving back donations to a number of local nonprofits and mutual aid groups. The also fund our senior program and donate helpful resources from their stores to our clients. We really wouldn't be able to do what we do without their help!
Moreover, the story of Magpie's founding is a unique one, in that a majority of their initial team met working at the same thrift store location, under different ownership. When the previous store was facing closure, Magpie's owner didn't want to let such an important resource for affordable goods shut down. Moreover, they didn't want to see the largely Queer staff lose their income and the security of a familiar, supportive workplace. So, just one week after the previous store in that space closed, Magpie Thrift Capitol Hill opened its doors with a new name but the same home, the same staff, and even the same stock.
Even aside from our nonprofit, the folks at Magpie Thrift have always been about giving back and supporting the people around you.
"Rookie of the Year"
Magpie has been officially operating since April 1, 2025, which means they've only been in business for 6 months as of writing this! In that short time, they've continued operating a unique and thriving store in Capitol Hill and surprised everyone by quickly expanding with a second, larger location in Shoreline, WA.
Magpie's Shoreline location has been open for shopping since July, but already has some big things happening like their partnership with Seattle Reconomy's Bike Shack as well as our own upcoming Thrift Maker's Market there! This expansion was also largely motivated by the store's ability to better generate revenue for our nonprofit as well as housing our resource redistribution program.
For the folks who know the Magpie team's history working in thrift on Capitol Hill, "Rookie of the Year," may seem like an odd category. Many staff members at that location have been working in the same space on the hill for years! But with Magpie, this is the first time someone on the team has actually owned the business running it. So, even though the Capitol Hill location may be a familiar space for some, they are still a new small business facing the same challenges as any new small business.
Magpie is still getting the word out to folks about the change in Capitol Hill and the new store in Shoreline, all while diverting resources to keep our nonprofit afloat. Thankfully, so far they've been grateful to find supportive and eager thrift shoppers in both locations! It's been a big six months, but everyone's excited to see what's coming next for this rookie!
