Sales were up as people flocked to the resale stores over the weekend
CLARK COUNTY — Six of the seven Goodwill retail locations in Clark County reopened Sunday (June 7) to happy crowds of bargain hunters.
Dale Emanuel with Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette says their stores tallied 2,767 transactions on Sunday. That’s down about 9 percent over this time last year, but the average sale was more than 87 percent higher than typical.
During the pandemic, after Goodwill closed its locations, the company saw donations piling up outside its doors, prompting a media release asking the public to please hold onto their items until the stores could reopen.
On Sunday, 1,253 people lined up to donate items, dropping off 76,433 pounds of stuff. That’s down around 9 percent, again, but business has remained steady.The move comes as Clark County enters Phase 2 of the governor’s Safe Start Washington reopening plan, which allows more retail locations to resume operations.
People are being asked to separate donations into several categories, including:
- Clothing/Linens
- Shoes/Accessories
- Electronics/Appliances
- Housewares
- Books/Media
- Other
Wet items are also not being accepted at this time. Donations will be sanitized and quarantined for a day or two before being moved into the retail area of the stores.
During the initial phase of reopening, Goodwill retail locations will be open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. to allow employees to clean and sanitize. The Vancouver Outlet location on NE 117th Avenue will be open at 8 a.m.
Stores have also been slightly reconfigured to allow for more space in aisles, with markings on the floor to assist customers with social distancing, and limitations may be placed on the number of shoppers allowed inside at one time.
Shoppers are being asked to wear masks while inside locations, with the exception of children younger than 2, and anyone unable to wear masks due to a medical condition.
Customers at the Vancouver Outlet location will be asked to wear both masks and gloves.
Goodwill says high-touch areas will be cleaned hourly, including cash registers and shopping carts. Plexiglass shields have also been set up to protect employees at the register.
According to Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette spokesperson Dale Emanuel, the reopening is putting 1,000 employees back to work.
Sales at Goodwill help to support the nonprofit’s Job Connection program, which provides support for thousands of people with finding work in the area, as well as job training.
“We know many of you have been waiting to donate, and we’ve missed your generosity,” said Emanuel in a release. “Our centers may get busy, so we ask for patience with our employees and other donors and that you maintain social distancing at all times.”
