After months of planning, searching, and shifting gears, WabiSabi has officially reopened its doors—this time at 198 E. Center Street.
This morning, WabiSabi announced that they’ve secured all necessary permissions to operate at the new Center Street address and began accepting donations again.
“We did it, we FINALLY did it!” the organization enthused in a post on Instagram Monday morning. “The store is far from filled, but we do have some inventory for sale. Come check out the new digs and help us spread the word.”
The move is a major milestone for WabiSabi, which has operated for over 20 years as a Moab thrift store and community nonprofit. In late 2024, WabiSabi learned that its longtime home on 100 South was being sold, kicking off a months-long transition plan involving temporary relocation and a longer-term capital campaign. A plan to move into a temporary space on Highway 191 fell through and after a scramble the Center Street location became a possibility.
The new Center Street storefront, located just steps from downtown and across the street from the Grand County Public Library, is smaller than WabiSabi’s previous space, but its central location and walkability help maintain the organization’s focus on accessibility. Bear previously shared that around a third of Wabi’s patrons arrive by bike, on foot, or by wheelchair.
The organization is continuing to plan for its permanent “forever home,” a future building that will be located near the Moab Free Health Clinic and the Community Resource Center. Fundraising for that project is ongoing, with a goal of $1.5 million.
For now, Bear and her team are focused on settling into the new location and getting back to what WabiSabi does best: offering affordable secondhand goods, supporting local nonprofits through their donation program, and keeping tens of thousands of pounds of materials out of the landfill each year.
Moab residents can stop by 198 E. Center Street this week between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to donate, shop, and support the next phase of WabiSabi’s journey.
