Goodwill is saying goodbye - at least temporarily.
The Goodwill Industries store on Avenue B in downtown Opelika will be closing its doors March 8, ending 36 years of business in the area.
Goodwill Industries Southern Rivers announced the store closure Friday. The decision was based on several factors, including a historically low level of donations in the area, Kari Finley, GISR media manager said.
Overall, each Goodwill store needs at least five donors per square foot to operate, Finley said.
“What we had been running at in Opelika was two (donors),” she said.
The Columbus-based company had been forced to transport donated items from other locations to Opelika, which was no longer feasible due to increased fuel costs and other expenses, Opelika Goodwill store manager Jeff Weynand said.
Goodwill Industries Southern Rivers also decided to close the current Opelika store, which opened 22 years ago in 1986, because it doesn’t fit the company’s new brand image, Finley said. In addition, the store’s lease ends in May.
“So, it’s good timing for us,” she said.
The company has plans to open a new facility in the Auburn-Opelika area in the future, depending on the volume of donations received in the area, Finley said.
“We cannot open a new store and career center unless we have the donations,” she said.
Donations will continue to be collected at all Goodwill drop-off locations in Opelika, Phenix City and Valley, Finley said. The company will be placing collection boxes in Auburn as well, she said.
Donations made in Lee County will have the greatest impact on whether Goodwill Industries Southern Rivers decides to open another store in the Auburn-Opelika area, Finley said.
For now, the Opelika store has all items marked down at least 50 percent. That’s good news for regulars like Eddie Barrow of Valley, who stopped by the store at least once a week.
“I just browse around in the store trying to find what I can,” Barrow said as he looked at dress pants Friday afternoon. Barrow visits the Goodwill store in Valley every other day searching for
bargains on clothes.
“I’ll be going to that one and all around the other Goodwill stores,” said Barrow, who also frequents the Phenix City store.
If Weynand has his way, Barrow will be visiting a Goodwill store in Lee County - again - soon.
“We’re going to be back,” said Weynand, who will be moving to the Phenix City store. “I look forward to getting back in the area and opening a new bigger, better store.”
bharvey@oanow.com | 737-2546
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement