Troy, New York Unveils Its Cheapest Store Ever: A Free Store

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A Vermont-based company called Free Store Mission Inc. has purchased a former Rite Aid building in Troy, New York and plans to open a new store where everything will be completely free for customers. The store will be stocked through donations and staffed mainly by volunteers, with a few paid employees. Customers will be able to take up to 25 items per week, regardless of their income level. The free store is modeled after a successful location in Bennington, Vermont and is aiming to open in late spring or early summer.

Why it matters

With the rising cost of living, the new free store in Troy aims to provide essential goods and necessities to the community at no cost. This model challenges traditional retail and demonstrates how a donation-based, volunteer-run store can make a difference in addressing affordability issues faced by many residents.

The details

The free store will be located at 272 Hoosick St. in Troy, in a former Rite Aid building that was purchased by the Vermont-based Free Store Mission Inc. The company will accept a wide range of donated items, excluding furniture, TVs, computers, cribs, car seats, and poor-condition clothing. The store will be staffed primarily by volunteers, with a few paid employees. Customers will be able to take up to 25 items per week, free of charge, regardless of their income level.

• The free store is aiming to open in late spring or early summer of 2026.
• Free Store Mission Inc. already operates a successful free store location in Bennington, Vermont that will serve as a model for the Troy store.

What’s next

The company is working to finalize the details and prepare for the store's opening, which they hope will happen in late spring or early summer of 2026.