Tuesday, 21 December 2010 19:00

If you want to see a smiling face, simply drive around to the back of the new Goodwill at 1346 Liberty Road in Eldersburg.  An employee will be there to greet you and receive your gently used goods, and give you a receipt for your donation. This week is a prime time to donate, as many are performing post-Christmas de-cluttering at home, and Friday is the deadline for one last 2010 tax deduction.

The new 10,000 square foot retail area is clean, sunlit, and organized, and staffed with friendly folks.  There is a steady stream of happy customers, as well. Another 4,000 square feet in the building is dedicated to processing donations and providing training for local persons with disabilities.

In addition to the customary second-hand clothing, shoes, books, and household items that one might expect at a Goodwill store, there are also “new-in-box” pet supplies, coffeemakers, vacuum cleaners, and devotional Bibles on the sales floor, with new merchandise coming in regularly.

The store was slated to have its grand opening on December 17, but opted to have a “soft opening” on December 6.  Local residents had been coming to the store while employees were setting out merchandise, and some even got inside to shop, before realizing that the store was not yet open for business.

December 17-19 still saw a Grand Opening, with raffles, prizes, hot dogs, popcorn, and even a visit from Santa.  “Cars were lined up all the way around the building to make donations,” said Troy Livesay, who works in the processing area.

When Goodwill Industries first applied for a permit in this site, some citizens expressed concern that with such a high median income in the area,the store would not be a good match.  Dan Kurtenbach, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, emphasized the bigger picture:  Goodwill would provide not only a retail store, but also a meeting room and classroom for training local people in need, and jobs for local residents.  “We have created around 27 jobs, most of them from the immediate area,” said Kurtenbach.  One of the cashiers noted that the local residents have seemed happy to shop in the store, and that the quality of the donations often matches the level of income in an area, so the two factors should help one another.

The Eldersburg store is the fifth to open within Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, Inc. (GIMV), which includes Frederick and Carroll counties.  GIMV is a separate district from some of the other Goodwill stores in Maryland.  Gift certificates, for example, are not transferable between GIMV and Goodwill Chesapeake.

Eldersburg Retail Store and Donation Center-

1346 Liberty Road

Sykesville, MD 21784

Phone: 410-552-5060

Hours:

Mon-Sat: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm

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