CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – An idea shared between two friends to help women become more confident and successful has grown into a nonprofit making a difference for families in Clarksville and surrounding communities.
Cynthia Pitts and Carolyn Watson co-founded Bella’s Closet in 2019. It was just before COVID struck, and most of the plans for a “store” offering free clothing for women was unfortunately put on hold.
That all changed later after COVID, and Bella’s Closet became a special place, growing and helping people in the community ever since.
At the start, the closet could be found at the Smith-Trahern Mansion, then sharing the YAIPAK Outreach warehouse site before settling at their current location on Kraft Street almost two years ago. There was an additional closet for a short time on West Dunbar Cave Road.
Bella’s Closet expanding to help children, men
Pitts said Bella’s Closet began as a way to support women with free clothing as they moved into the work force. It was also a way to help single moms, who, after taking care of their family, didn’t have enough clothing for themselves.
“We now have clothing from casual wear to sports wear, active wear, business attire, gowns, and we also have men’s wear now,” Pitts said. Clothing accessories for women, men and children are also available.
“We also have a children’s closet now, a Bella’s Closet for kids, so we have expanded to the whole family,” Pitts said. She said with the up and down economy, they have had a steady pace of families coming in for clothing, adding they have children’s clothing for newborns to 12 years old.
Bella’s Closet held their Seasons: A Journey of Style & Strength event in February, and Pitts said the fashion show has increased donations and awareness for the organization. “That is the only way we can survive is the donations from the community,” Pitts said.
Bella’s Closet changing women’s lives
Shani Grant was a customer of Bella’s Closet in 2023. “Half my clothes had holes in them, and I had very few of them. and I needed to look nice for work. Spending money on clothes is not something I could do. Every penny had to go for food or utilities,” Grant said.
Grant said Bella’s gave her a new purse, jewelry for accessories and shoes. In 2024, Gant started her business Crunchy Depot. “You really need to look nice with the public and you need to look presentable, and they gave me access to that,” Grant said.
How to help with donations to Bella’s Closet
Pitts said when it comes to clothing donations, they are in need of nice blouses, dress pants, suits, skirts – what a typical woman would have in her wardrobe for work. For their men’s clothing, Pitts said they offer men’s suits, jeans, jackets, shoes, belts and ties.
“The donation of clothing is great, but we would also love to have monetary donations because we do have overhead.” Pitts said. Everyone who works at Bella’s is a volunteer, and all of the financial donations go back into the operation of the closet.
Bella’s Closet is open Wednesday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. by appointment, at 108 Kraft St. To make an appointment and to learn more, visit bellascloset.org, go to Bella’s Closet on Facebook or call 931-624-6716.
Giving Grace, sponsored by Grace Dental, is a Clarksville Now series showcasing local nonprofit organizations.
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