One of Malta’s best-known thrift stores has officially shut down. Thrift.mt, which first opened in 2023, has closed its Gżira shop and wound down operations — but its founder is already setting his sights on a new chapter.

Speaking to MeetInc, founder Christian Bartolo Burlo confirmed the closure and reflected on what the project meant to him.

“Highlights were definitely working with so many talented people and getting to know our customers and the community we’ve built,” he said. “I’m happy to have sparked interest for streetwear fashion and thrifted clothing in Malta.”

Since launching just over two years ago, thrift.mt grew from a small-scale idea into a staple of Malta’s second-hand fashion scene. It helped popularise thrifting at a time when sustainable shopping was just starting to gain ground locally, introducing younger audiences to affordable streetwear and vintage finds.

The store’s impact stretched beyond retail. It created a platform for people who wanted to explore their style outside the mainstream, and quickly built up a loyal community of customers who connected over their shared love for sustainability and fashion.

While thrift.mt is now closed, Bartolo Burlo insists this is far from the end of his journey. Having recently completed a PhD in Computer Science, he is already working on a new project: a tech startup designed with creatives in mind.

“As to what comes next, it’s a tech-focused start-up for creatives. Can’t share much right now but the whole point of it is to make sure that creatives are not replaced by AI but empowered by it,” he explained.

The closure was announced to customers by email earlier this month. In a final handover, the shop’s latest collection was passed on to TaylorMaid Vintage in Sliema, ensuring that the clothes still make their way into the hands of thrifting enthusiasts.

Although the thrift.mt brand is no longer active, its influence remains clear. Over the past three years, Malta has seen a surge in vintage and thrift shops across the island — a wave that thrift.mt helped set in motion.

For Bartolo Burlo, the challenge now is to build something with even wider reach. “While this chapter is closed, the journey doesn’t stop here,” he told Lovin Malta. “I want to keep pushing boundaries — just in a new space.”