Welcome to Tink's Cove ~~ A Free Store ~~
Where your new/used goods go to good use!
All the things you want to know!
Welcome to Tink's Cove—Your Gateway to Community Connection!
At Tink's Cove, we believe that the 'stuff' we accumulate can hold incredible potential. As we navigate through life, we collect items that tell our stories, shape our experiences, and sometimes, weigh us down. Our mission is to transform this cycle of accumulation into a powerful force for good.
Every day, we find ourselves seeking new items, parting with old ones, and hunting for lost treasures. This journey led us to ask a vital question: How can we make the most of our belongings while uplifting our community? Tink's Cove was born out of the desire to help those in need by redistributing gently used clothing and household goods at no cost. By facilitating this exchange, we aim to foster a spirit of generosity and connection within our community.
Join us in this mission to create a freeconomy where helping others is the norm. Let’s turn our surplus into support, one item at a time!
Why Free Should Feel Good
Everyone needs a little help sometimes, and there’s no shame in that. In fact, at Tink’s Cove, we believe that finding what you need—without spending a dime—should feel empowering. After all, isn’t it always when you need something the most that it’s hardest to find?
That’s where we come in. Whether you’re just starting out on this journey called life and need a bit of everything, or you’ve been around the block and want to freshen up your wardrobe, Tink’s Cove is here for you. We offer a wide variety of clothing, household items, and essentials—all for free. So stop by, say hello, and experience shopping in a way that’s not just different, but better. Because here, we believe that giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin.
Got Stuff? Others Need It!
If you have extra items, why not put them to good use? At Tink’s Cove, your donations go directly to those who need them most. We’ve made it easy—just drop your items off at our donation box on-site, any time that’s convenient for you! Whether it’s clothing, household goods, or other essentials, your generosity helps keep our community thriving.
As a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, we’re also happy to provide a donation receipt upon request. And if you’d like to make an even bigger impact, monetary donations are always welcome and deeply appreciated. Together, we can keep the cycle of giving going strong!
Balancing Two Worlds: Why We Run a Business to Keep Tink’s Cove Alive
Running Tink’s Cove as a nonprofit is a labor of love, but keeping it going isn’t easy. We understand that some people are surprised, even disappointed, to learn that we also run a for-profit business alongside the nonprofit. But the truth is, that business is what keeps Tink’s Cove running. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to sustain this community resource.
It’s a delicate balance. While we gladly accept donations, sometimes people don’t realize that if they have valuable items, we may be inclined to buy them to help fund the operation. In fact, many people bring us carloads of stuff from estates or garage sales, when we could make things easier by offering to clean out the entire property—and in some cases, they could even make money from the items we purchase.
At the end of the day, everything we do—whether it’s accepting donations, buying items, or clearing out an estate—is about keeping Tink’s Cove open and available to help others. We hope that with this understanding, people can see the bigger picture of how we’re trying to make a difference.
We would love to tell others about you!
We invite other businesses and community members to help us stay right here so that we can all grow forward. Reach out if you would like to learn more about sponsorship options!
Would you like to help us?
While we do love that a lot of wonderful people would like to help us with sorting clothes and such, this is just not the help that we need at this time.
Here is a list of things that we actually do need help with, feel free to reach out with any questions!
Need about 40 feet of privacy fencing.
4 square architetural shingles (gray).
4 yards of #57 washed stone.
1 - 8 ft x 7 ft Garage Door
1 - RH 36" Entry Door
Push Lawn Mower
Our Vision for the Future: Rooted in Community, Growing with Purpose
Tink's Cove is here to stay and grow right where we belong—in the heart of the Perry/Painesville community. With one of our founders born and raised in Perry, we know firsthand the challenges that life can throw your way. This deep understanding of struggle is what sets us apart and drives everything we do.
Our background, shaped by hardship, fuels our unwavering commitment to helping others. That’s why our core mission is simple: to provide essential items to anyone, from anywhere, with no questions asked—completely free of charge. We believe in building a community where support is unconditional, and we’re dedicated to expanding our reach so that we can continue to offer help where it’s needed most.
Phase 1: Building for the Future
We’re making exciting progress with Phase 1 of our multi-phase expansion plan for Tink's Cove! The structure is up, and it's "dried in," providing a solid foundation for what’s to come. Now, we’re working towards completing the space with a concrete floor, shingles, siding, and doors to make it fully operational.
Your support can help us finish this crucial step. If you’d like to contribute to this project, click the button below to donate and be part of building a stronger future for our community!
Phase 2: Expanding Our Reach
Phase 2 of our plan is set to increase Tink’s Cove’s footprint by approximately 1,200 sq ft, creating a significant new space for growth. This expansion will allow us to relocate our founders' thrift business from the house to a new lower level, freeing up even more room for community-focused activities. Additionally, the new lower level will house a larger processing area to handle more donations and better serve those in need.
This ambitious project will require substantial support from various resources, and we can’t do it alone. If you’d like to contribute to this exciting expansion, we welcome your help—whether through donations, materials, or time.
And yes...there is a Phase 3 on the horizon!
Word Up! Writing Program
We’re passionate about launching Word Up!, a writing initiative designed to support individuals navigating the difficult journey of incarceration and reentry into society. Whether facing prison time or transitioning home, many find themselves in a tough struggle to rebuild their lives. One unexpected advantage of incarceration is the time it offers for self-reflection and personal growth—if one chooses to use it. While personal transformation takes a lifetime, the journey begins with a single step, and for many, that step can be writing.
Our vision is to create a writing competition for inmates at our local county jail, focusing on those who sincerely express a desire to change. We believe there is tremendous power in handwritten words, and with carefully crafted prompts, we hope to help participants unlock their true potential and reflect on their path forward.
This initiative would be annual, with each participant receiving a gift card upon release, and one Grand Prize winner receiving one year of room and board. We’re fortunate to have a duplex on-site, making it an ideal location to house the winner and provide a stable environment as they reintegrate into the community.
Though this is a long-term goal, it’s one we are determined to chip away at. If you’d like to support this vision or help bring it to life, please reach out to us.