SAN DIEGO -- Revivals, one of the newest retail additions in Hillcrest, held its official grand opening celebration last Wednesday.

As people crowded into resale store's newest location at 1644 University Ave., some were wearing T-shirts that proclaimed the Revivals ad campaign slogan, “Give It UP!” while the back of the shirt expressed the store’s support of Mama’s Kitchen, The San Diego LGBT Community Center, and Being Alive.

Tom Luhnow, CEO of the Greater San Diego Business Association, welcomed Revivals as a new member of the Hillcrest business community before he and San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria wielded a pair of giant scissors to cut the ribbon that made the store’s opening official.

The store's proceeds will benefit the three organizations, which serve people living with, affected by, or at-risk for HIV/AIDS.

There are four additional Revivals stores, all located in the Palm Springs area, which benefit Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) in providing HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and advocacy services.

D.A.P. CEO David Brinkman commented, “AIDS continues to affect people everywhere, in San Diego as well as nationally and worldwide. While D.A.P. won’t be offering its own services locally, we felt it was important to do what we could to help those who are through our new Revivals store.”

Revivals will provide annual donations to the three organizations from the proceeds of the new Hillcrest store location.

On a quarterly basis, the store will also provide a quantity of $10 vouchers, redeemable for merchandise at the Hillcrest Revivals store, to be distributed however the organizations deem most suitable to meet the needs of their clients. Revivals has already helped The Center to buy new furniture, with no mark-up by Revivals, for the Center’s lobby, library and meeting room.

Luhnow urged the community to support Revivals by donating or consigning their gently used goods, shopping the store or volunteering their time.

The Hillcrest Revivals store offers donated and consigned items on the first floor, with new furniture and mattresses on the mezzanine level.

Free donation pickups can be made Monday through Friday by calling (619) 497-1000.

Individuals who are interested in volunteering at the store are invited to call Melanie Jones, Revivals volunteer coordinator, at (760) 413-6613.