diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f33f4c5..cc131b9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -214,6 +214,15 @@ $grid.colcade('destroy')
 colc.destroy()
 ```
 
+Remove event listeners and instances, but preserve DOM as is.
+
+``` js
+// jQuery
+$grid.colcade('destroy', false)
+// vanilla JS
+colc.destroy(false)
+```
+
 ---
 
 By David DeSandro
diff --git a/colcade.js b/colcade.js
index 67261ad..e2670bb 100644
--- a/colcade.js
+++ b/colcade.js
@@ -214,11 +214,13 @@ proto.onLoad = function( event ) {
 
 // ----- destroy ----- //
 
-proto.destroy = function() {
-  // move items back to container
-  this.items.forEach( function( item ) {
-    this.element.appendChild( item );
-  }, this );
+proto.destroy = function(moveItemsBack = true) {
+  if(moveItemsBack) {
+    // move items back to container
+    this.items.forEach( function( item ) {
+      this.element.appendChild( item );
+    }, this );
+  }
   // remove events
   window.removeEventListener( 'resize', this._windowResizeHandler );
   this.element.removeEventListener( 'load', this._loadHandler, true );