Natick Mall Clothing Store Closure Leads To Big Clothing Donation

NATICK, MA — A store closure at the Natick Mall has turned into a windfall for people in need of winter clothing— and one of the people behind the effort says strong relationships between the mall and key community members made it happen.

After the Roots store closed at the Natick Mall over the summer, general manager Jennifer Kearney let Natick police Lt. Cara Rossi know about a trove of inventory left behind available to be given out in the community. The Canadian clothing chain Roots opened its 4,000 square-foot Natick Mall store in 2018, selling high-end outdoor apparel.

Rossi connected with other leaders in town about the clothing, including Natick Public Schools Superintendent Anna Nolin, school social worker Annette Ziegler, Natick police chief assistant Marylee Watkins — who typically spearheads the department's annual giving tree and other charity efforts — and Brandon School Director Rachel Berry.

Through those connections, about $40,000 worth of Roots inventory was given to the South Middlesex Opportunity Council, plus more to Natick and Brandon School students. This week, $12,000 worth of Roots clothing was given to kids at the Italian Home for Children in Jamaica Plain — a donation made after Rossi saw a Facebook post from a Natick resident about a need for winter clothing.

And there's still more inventory left that will be going to local groups, Rossi said.

"This effort is born out of relationships developed over the years," Rossi said this week.