Margie’s Closet offers clothing, community

LAKEWOOD, Ohio Jacob Nash knows that the right clothes have the power to not only make you look good but can also help you feel more like yourself.

Nash is transgender. She came out in the 1990s and a major part of her transition process was clothing.

“In society, you know, it’s a lot easier for a woman to go into the men’s section and buy men’s clothes because they’re just seen as tomboys and that’s what I see,” Nash said.

For the past 20 years, she has worked to make sure other members of the transgender and non-binary community are as comfortable in their skin and clothes as she is.

I can walk into any department store and go to the men’s section, no questions asked. But a lot of people in our community can’t,” Nash said.

He is the founder Margie’s Hope, a non-profit organization that helps support and uplift trans individuals. The organization opened Margies Closet in early June.

Nash says it’s more than just a thrift store, it’s a safe and inclusive space for transgender, non-binary individuals.

It’s not cut, it’s clothing, you know. Clothing is not a person’s gender because we make it but clothing is not clothing, it should be accessible to anyone regardless of appearance, he said.

Margies Closet makes it easier to find hot-selling items like shoes, wigs, and binders.

Here, it’s not hard to find fashion suggestions either.

Monika Veliz is Margies Hope’s vice president and executive manager at the store.

She also happens to be a fashion designer. Her line, Jai Girl inc., specializes in clothing for anyone who identifies as a woman.

We have dispelled that conjecture. If it doesn’t suit you, let’s go around the store and try to find something that does, says Veliz.

Veliz says he knows firsthand the struggles trans individuals face when shopping.

I used to be that young trans girl. . . Before I actually found my fit, how much money I spent buying clothes, taking them home, not fitting, not fitting, terrible, you know. Who wants to be a trans woman who goes back to the big department stores and makes a fuss about returns, she says.

Veliz says Margies Closet allows those in the community to find clothes and be cared for.

This is a resource center. This is a support group. If anyone feels the need for a connection with another transgender that they may not have, can go through that door and 100% accept it. No questions, he said.

Margie’s Closet will operate with a fully volunteer staff, and 100% of the store’s proceeds will go towards the Margie’s Hope program to uplift transgender, non-binary and gender-expansive individuals.