AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) recently marked the opening of its newest Out of the Closet thrift store and AHF Pharmacy at 1785 Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. The new AIDS thrift store and state-of-the-art pharmacy benefits HIV/AIDS patients statewide.
The facility-the 22nd in AHF’s award-winning chain and AHF’s fourth in South Florida-also enjoys the distinction of being the first Out of the Closet store built from ground up, reclaiming and undertaking the environmental clean up of the site of a former abandoned gas station on the northwest corner of Sunrise and Federal Highway. On the Friday night before the store opening, Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney was on hand to help dedicate the new Out of the Closet thrift store in honor and memory of Elizabeth Taylor (Rooney’s former childhood co-star and lifelong friend) for her fearless advocacy on behalf of people with AIDS.
As part of the tribute to Taylor, AHF’s new store features an Elizabeth Taylor design theme with large classic photos and movie posters of the star – including with National Velvet childhood co-star Rooney -decorating the store. In addition, a bronze plaque with a photo of Taylor inscribed, “Elizabeth Taylor, Our Champion” serves as a cornerstone on the facade of the new store.
Besides the pharmacy, testing center and Elizabeth Taylor-inspired decor, visitors can find many items for sale at the thrift store including furniture, books, music, videos, clothing, kitchenware, electronics and sporting goods. Income from the thrift store provides funding for AHF’s medical services.
“We were very excited to open this new Out of the Closet store, AHF Pharmacy, something that is already making a real difference in the community,” said Michael Kahane, bureau chief, Southern Region for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “Whether donating merchandise, using our pharmacy, shopping or getting a free HIV test, the people of Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas who utilize this facility help ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS receive the medical care and services they may need. Ninety-six cents of every dollar raised through our stores benefit AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s prevention, treatment and education programs in Broward County and throughout Florida.”
“The state of Florida is third highest in the nation as far as cumulative AIDS cases, and there remains an urgent need for effective and sustained HIV prevention and education measures,” said James Vellequette, associate director at Public Health Division for the Southern Bureau for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “AHF is glad to be a contributing partner in the effort to address the region’s epidemic by offering free HIV testing at our new Out of the Closet Sunrise store in this convenient, community-based setting.”
Other Florida locations include Wilton Manors, Biscayne Boulevard in Miami and on Alton Road in South Beach.
This site is also home to the newest AHF Pharmacy, a full-service facility staffed with pharmacists who specialize in HIV/AIDS medications (as well as general pharmacy services), providing clients with access to the additional specialists, medications and services they need to be as healthy as possible.
Out of the Closet/Sunrise and the AHF Pharmacy is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free HIV testing at the site is Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. To arrange for a tax-deductible donation of merchandise to AHF’s Out of the Closet, email , or for large item donation pick up, call 877-274-2548. For information visit . *
