SELECT shoppers will soon get access to a beloved discount chain as it opens one if its largest locations this summer.
The nonprofit has been hailed for its budget-friendly prices and rare thrift finds over the years.
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Now, Goodwill is finishing up a 22,000 square-foot store for consumers in Laurel, Maryland, about 20 miles southwest of downtown Baltimore.
This will mark the 31st location in Central Maryland for Goodwill, according to what executives told The Baltimore Banner.
It will officially open in August, with merchandise like books, clothing, furniture, and other homeware priced between $5 and $30.
Other items, like antiques, collectibles, and jewelry, can be bought from the store through the ShopGoodwill.com auction site.
Read More on Store Openings
The Laurel store will also employ about 20 full-time employees from the nearby area, including some who are re-entering after public assistance or incarceration.
President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Chesapeake, Lisa Rusyniak, explained to the publication that the brand has seen a significant increase in sales and foot traffic in stores as more consumers embrace thrifting.
With economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures in recent years, Americans of all ages, including Gen Z, are seeking discount chains.
“As prices have increased over the last few years, people are looking at secondhand,” Rusyniak emphasized.
“We’ve seen about a 35% increase in sales at our busiest stores. It’s not uncool to buy secondhand stuff anymore.”
COOL AND CHEAP
It’s actually more of the opposite, especially considering trends like “recession core” on social media that emphasize fashion for practicality and utility, being thrifted and understated instead rather than flashy, trendy, and expensive.
Not to mention, a study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that apparel prices, in general, have increased by about 14% since 2020.
“When I go to the mall, I end up being broke,” noted Gen Z shopper Karis Wyatt while speaking with The Baltimore Banner.
“I personally do not like spending my own money. I went to Nordstrom, and it cost $79 for just a shirt.”
“When I go thrifting, I still have enough money to do whatever I want,” the 17-year-old explained.
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Here are some of the best thrift store finds:
Many, like Wyatt, have frequented popular chain Savers Thrift Store for deals, but some are saying they’ll head to Goodwill instead when it opens for lower prices.
“I love shopping at Goodwill. It’s so much cheaper than Savers,” an avid thrifter wrote in a post on Facebook.
“I love me some Goodwill store,” another added.
PRICING PAINS?
Except several other shoppers in the Baltimore area blasted the nonprofit, claiming the prices wouldn’t stay affordable.
“That’s a shame. Goodwill is not what it claims to be,” someone fumed in a separate thread on Facebook.
“Goodwill is a profit for scam, no thrift prices,” another argued.
“Overpriced. I don’t know who thinks they know the value of things, but it isn’t anybody at Goodwill,” a third fumed.
Some Goodwill shoppers are also set to get one-time checks worth up to $5,500 from a data breach settlement.
The nonprofit is also selling “Amazon Prime mystery boxes” for $60 this summer.
