These aren't your grandmother's Goodwill Stores. These are upscale resale shops that will showcase a definitive fashion sense and boutique style.
Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc. has plans to launch two new boutiques that will show off some of the hip new and gently used items donated to the resale giant, including merchandise that has been repurposed and upcycled. The stores, called blue, will open in April in downtown Grand Rapids'
MoDiv (40 Monroe Center Ave. NW) and in East Hills (974 Cherry St. SE) with a focus on women's vintage and retro designer apparel, shoes, jewelry and home décor.
"When customers walk in, they'll be blown away by what we have to offer and the look and feel of the shops," says Goodwill's Chief Communications Officer Jill Wallace. "The blue boutiques will have new apparel mixed in as well, and the apparel will have a more chic-funky-glam look. We're really looking for the market to be women between ages 20 and 40."
Wallace says this is Goodwill's first foray into the boutique business. While the merchandise will have slightly higher prices than the traditional Goodwill Stores, the stores will have bargains and all proceeds will go to fund Goodwill's workforce training and placement programs.
"Last year, we placed about 1,300 people [in jobs], and the higher [sales] margins bring more money in for these programs," Wallace says. "Goodwill is one of the world's largest recyclers of textiles through reselling, diverting five million pounds of textiles, including shoes, from Grand Rapids-area landfills every year.
"I think the boutiques will open people's minds to what you can find at any Goodwill store," she says.
Wallace says she expects both stores to open mid-April and says grand opening events are being planned.
Source: Jill Wallace, Goodwill Industries
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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