The Wise Mule

08/27/2026

OPEN TOMORROW // MISSING ITEMS

The free store is missing a few items. I'm hoping they got accidentally taken by folks that thought they were available donations. If you recently took a black folding camping chair (my volunteers use this chair to sit in while they run the store), a DeWalt battery pack (we use this to power our fan to try to keep the store comfortable and cool), or a small JBL Bluetooth speaker, please get in touch or return them to the free store tomorrow. Thank you!!

The Wise Mule (a free store) is open tomorrow, Thursday 8/27, from 1-6 PM! The free boutique is located at 161 Commerce St, Old Fort NC, right across from Euda Wine. The Wise Mule is a free store in Old Fort, NC that operates out of a renovated 1990 school bus and offers clean and curated clothing (all ages/sizes, including kids), accessories, art, home goods, gifts, toys, and more with no pressure to pay, ever.

The Wise Mule is proud to be sponsored by Camp Grier and Community Land Trust of WNC . If you have donations for the free store or are interested in volunteering with the project, please visit thewisemulenc.com for more information

08/19/2026

The Wise Mule (a free store) is open tomorrow, Thursday 8/20, from 1-6 PM! The free boutique is located at 161 Commerce St, Old Fort NC, right across from Euda Wine. The Wise Mule is a free store in Old Fort, NC that operates out of a renovated 1990 school bus and offers clean and curated clothing (all ages/sizes, including kids), accessories, art, home goods, gifts, toys, and more with no pressure to pay, ever.

The Wise Mule is proud to be sponsored by Camp Grier and Community Land Trust of WNC . If you have donations for the free store or are interested in volunteering with the project, please visit thewisemulenc.com for more information

08/12/2026

The Wise Mule (a free store) is open tomorrow, Thursday 8/13, from 1-6 PM! The free boutique is located at 161 Commerce St, Old Fort NC, right across from Euda Wine. The Wise Mule is a free store in Old Fort, NC that operates out of a renovated 1990 school bus and offers clean and curated clothing (all ages/sizes, including kids), accessories, art, home goods, gifts, toys, and more with no pressure to pay, ever.

The Wise Mule is proud to be sponsored by Camp Grier and Community Land Trust of WNC . If you have donations for the free store or are interested in volunteering with the project, please visit thewisemulenc.com for more information.

08/06/2026

It's been a busy few weeks at the free store and we are low on stock! If you have any of the below items to donate, please message me here, email me at [email protected], or fill out the quick form at thewisemulenc.com. Please get in touch directly rather than comment because I don't always get comment notifications!

***The free store can only accept items in *new* condition with no signs of use or wear***

IN NEED OF AT THE FREE STORE:

🫏 Adult tops (all sizes, all genders - ideally summery stuff but winter stuff is okay too!) - this is the biggest need!
🫏 Accessories like hats, bags, purses, belts, sunglasses, etc
🫏 Bathing suits
🫏 Jewelry
🫏 Shoes (all ages/sizes, including kids)
🫏 Toys
🫏 Kitchen items (glassware, dishes, utensils, etc)
🫏 Books (all ages/genres, including kids)
🫏 Backpacks, notebooks, general school supplies
🫏 Bedding, pillows

08/05/2026

☔ PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR POTENTIAL SCHEDULE CHANGES DUE TO RAIN! If I have to close early, I'll always post here on this page and on Instagram ().

‼️‼️tomorrow I will have info about *truly* affordable first time home ownership in McDowell County from Community Land Trust of WNC ! Stop by the free store and ask for more info!! ‼️‼️

The Wise Mule (a free store) is open tomorrow, Thursday 8/6, from 1-6 PM! The free boutique is located at 161 Commerce St, Old Fort NC, right across from Euda Wine. The Wise Mule is a free store in Old Fort, NC that operates out of a renovated 1990 school bus and offers clean and curated clothing (all ages/sizes, including kids), accessories, art, home goods, gifts, toys, and more with no pressure to pay, ever.

The Wise Mule is proud to be sponsored by Camp Grier and Community Land Trust of WNC. If you have donations for the free store or are interested in volunteering with the project, please visit thewisemulenc.com for more information.

07/29/2026

Learn more about CLT's *truly* affordable housing programs here in McDowell county and grab some FREE goodies!!

Come See Us at the Back to School Bash! 🎒📚

The CLT of WNC is proud to participate in the 5th Annual Back to School Bash with McDowell Access to Care and Health! We will be tabling, please come say "hi" 👋

📅 Thursday, August 20, 2026
⏰ 4:00PM -6:00PM
📍201 Ridley Street

Stop by our table to learn about affordable housing right here in McDowell County 🏠❤️ We'll have info on our programs, how to get involved, and friendly faces ready to answer questions.

Plus FREE backpacks and school supplies 📝, hot dog 🌭 cookout, inflatables and games 🎈, gift certificates to Shoe Sensation 👟, and giveaways galore!! 🎁 All thanks to MATCH and West Marion Inc.

Let's kick off this school year together ✨🍎

07/29/2026

‼️ BAGS very much needed! If you have larger sized, paper or reusable bags (NO plastic, please), I'd love to take them off your hands at the free store! Bring them by anytime between 1-6 on Thursdays ‼️

The Wise Mule (a free store) is open tomorrow, Thursday 7/30, from 1-6 PM! The free boutique is located at 161 Commerce St, Old Fort NC, right across from Euda Wine. The Wise Mule is a free store in Old Fort, NC that operates out of a renovated 1990 school bus and offers clean and curated clothing (all ages/sizes, including kids), accessories, art, home goods, gifts, toys, and more with no pressure to pay, ever.

The Wise Mule is proud to be sponsored by Camp Grier and Community Land Trust of WNC . If you have donations for the free store or are interested in volunteering with the project, please visit thewisemulenc.com for more information.

07/22/2026

OPENING LATE AT 2:15 TOMORROW!! Please also keep an eye on this page about potential rain delays/closures! The forecast looks wet; I'll be playing it by ear.

The Wise Mule (a free store) is open tomorrow, Thursday 7/23, from 2:15-6 PM! The free boutique is located at 161 Commerce St, Old Fort NC, right across from Euda Wine. The Wise Mule is a free store in Old Fort, NC that operates out of a renovated 1990 school bus and offers clean and curated clothing (all ages/sizes, including kids), accessories, art, home goods, gifts, toys, and more with no pressure to pay, ever.

The Wise Mule is proud to be sponsored by Camp Grier and Community Land Trust of WNC . If you have donations for the free store or are interested in volunteering with the project, please visit thewisemulenc.com for more information.

07/15/2026

The Wise Mule (a free store) is open tomorrow, Thursday 7/16, from 1-6 PM! The free boutique is located at 161 Commerce St, Old Fort NC, right across from Euda Wine. The Wise Mule is a free store in Old Fort, NC that operates out of a renovated 1990 school bus and offers clean and curated clothing (all ages/sizes, including kids), accessories, art, home goods, gifts, toys, and more with no pressure to pay, ever.

The Wise Mule is proud to be sponsored by Camp Grier and Community Land Trust of WNC . If you have donations for the free store or are interested in volunteering with the project, please visit thewisemulenc.com for more information.

07/09/2026

THE FREE STORE IS OPEN TODAY! Thursday, July 9, from 1-6 PM.

Everything is free. That's it! No questions asked, no judgements, no appointments, no qualifications needed. Just come shop without any pressure to pay. :)

Located at 161 Commerce St, Old Fort NC (right across from Euda Wine).

Sponsored by Camp Grier and Community Land Trust of WNC 🧡