Goodwill to open new store
A new Goodwill is opening in Cape Coral next week, replacing the store on Pine Island Road.
On Thursday, the new store will open at 2040 N.E. Pine Island Road, according to officials. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 8:45 a.m., following by the opening of the store doors at 9 a.m.
“Any expansion we do is in response to the services needed in the community,” Kirsten O’Donnell, director of public relations and marketing with Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, said.
“It’s just about being able to serve more people with out mission,” she added.
The new location will replace the existing store at 1500 Pine Island Road, near the corner of Pine Island Road and Del Prado Boulevard. O’Donnell noted that the old store first opened in 1991.
“So we’ve been in there for quite some time,” she said.
The existing store is expected to close Wednesday, the day before the grand opening.
“I think most people think of us, primarily, for clothing, housewares and furniture,” O’Donnell said. “But we do also sell a variety of smaller new items, in addition to all those gently used items.”
She noted that Goodwill stores draw a mix of shoppers.
“Sometimes there are just things people don’t want to buy gently used,” O’Donnell said.
She added that thrift stores sometimes get a bit of a bad reputation.
“I think we provide a really nice shopping experience for people,” O’Donnell said.
“We’re not your grandma’s thrift store,” she added.
The new location boasts 17,632 square feet compared to about 10,000 square feet at the old store.
“So it’s a substantial size increase,” O’Donnell said.
It will employ about a dozen people and have a donation drive-thru.
“Most of our stores just have an area you can drive to in the back,” she said, noting that the new feature will streamline the process. “Just like a fast food drive-thru, you don’t even need to get out of the car.”
“It makes it even easier for people to donate,” O’Donnell added.
The new store will also launch Goodwill’s new Halloween section.
“It will be the first store with kind of a Halloween department,” she said.
There will be six dressing rooms and more check-out lanes, as well.
“The old Cape store could get very congested around the cash register,” O’Donnell said.
She also compared the change in the physical locations of the two stores.
“It’s a complicated intersection there at Pine Island (Road) and Del Prado (Boulevard),” O’Donnell said. “It was hard to get in and out of, so it could sometimes be a little challenging.”
“This new store is very easy to get in and out of from both sides of the road,” she added.
Parking was also fairly limited at the old store.
“There’s an awful lot more parking,” O’Donnell said of the new location.
The grand opening celebration on Thursday will continue through the weekend as shoppers have a chance to register to win a new, Vizio 55-inch 4K Smart television. Entry forms are available on site.
“The TV is pretty nice,” she said. “No purchase is necessary to enter.”
During the grand opening, patrons who donate clothing, shoes, accessories, electronics, furniture or other household goods may receive a coupon for $5 off a purchase of $20 or more at the store.
The $5 off coupon can also be found in the Cape Coral Breeze and other publications.
Last year, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida helped 42,000 people in the regional area.
Programs offered through the nonprofit range from employment assistance and educational programs designed to benefit people with learning disabilities, to disabled housing assistance.
“There’s a lot of places to shop in Cape Coral and around Southwest Florida,” O’Donnell said. “When you shop at Goodwill, you can feel good about the impact that you’re making in the community.”
Hours for the store are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.