Wise Buys is a community thrift store located at 1224 North State Street in Bellingham, WA. Originally founded in 1967 by the YWCA as Y’s Buys, Lydia Place took over the business and renamed it to Wise Buys in 1989. The money received from sales of donated clothing and household items goes directly to Lydia Place, a nonprofit, community-based agency serving homeless families and individuals. Founded in 1989, Lydia Place is an active participant in our community’s effort to develop a continuum of care under the leadership of the Whatcom County Homeless Coalition.

Wise Buys is staffed by volunteers and together these volunteers donate over 4,000 hours per year that allows the store to then contribute over $80,000 each year, making a significant contribution to the Lydia Place budget.