By JULES SHINKLE
BG Independent News
There are no price tags to be found in the Bowling Green Free Store. Shoppers are encouraged to haul as much as they can carry out the doors, no purchase necessary.
As its name suggests, everything – kid’s toys, canned food, toiletries, clothing for all ages and sizes – is free.
The Bowling Green Free Store makes its home in Howard’s Club H, where every third Thursday, from 6 to 9:30 p.m., the tables pile high with donated goods. Organizing the pop up is a local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (BGDSA).
BGDSA is helmed by its three-person steering committee – Taylor Harrison, Jacob Fowler, and Morgan Kesler. While they’re still in the process of being formally recognized by the DSA, the group began organizing in early 2025. The Free Store started operating in March that year.
Fowler describes a free store as “Goodwill without profit incentive.” Fowler and Kesler, both ex-employees of Howard’s, were given the owner’s blessing to make use of the bar’s space.
Since the store is run on a volunteer basis, their only costs come from renting a storage unit where donations are kept.
While the Free Store doesn’t have nearly the same volume of items as thrift stores like Goodwill or The Fringe, the Free Store’s downtown location is more accessible for those without a car.
Additionally, the Free Store regularly procures donations of contraceptives and harm-reduction supplies. This includes Narcan, Plan B, condoms, drug disposal kits, even the occasional COVID test.
“A lot of people get scared by the word ‘socialist,’” said Fowler. “Come check out what we’re doing – the free store, skill shares – and maybe we won’t seem so scary. We want to help the community.” Skill shares put on by the group’s members have involved car repair, firearm safety, and cooking.
Another project by BGDSA members is a newspaper titled “The Black Swamp Socialist.” The monthly publication is in its fourth issue. Included are editorials on current affairs, primers on socialist political theory, and a schedule of upcoming local events – Punks Shows get their own dedicated header.
BGDSA meets each Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Grounds for Thought.
“We’d love to have more people,” said Kesler. “The whole goal is to democratize power in the community. The more people we have, the more projects we can do, the better we can find ways to do things without doing it for capital.”
Future dates for the monthly Free Store are as follows: May 21, June 25, July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19, and Dec. 17.
“We have really cool things,” said Harrison. “Every free store, I find something that I want.”
“Come with garbage bags,” added Fowler. “I’m telling everyone to take everything. Our storage unit is getting full.”
