Early birds were out in full force Thursday morning, eager to score fantastic bargains at the grand opening of the Goodwill Industries store and donation center in Port Elgin.
Apr 24, 2025 •
With a team of 42 full and part-time employees, the new Port Elgin Goodwill Industries store and donation depot was all set for everyday second-hand shopping ahead of its April 22 grand opening. Photo by Frances Learment /Shoreline Beacon
Debbie Zeller was on the hunt for jewellery while her partner sought out postcards.
The Owen Sound couple’s passion for finding great deals led them to arrive well before dawn to secure a spot at the front of what soon became a long line of smart shoppers waiting for the April 22 grand opening of Goodwill Industries’ Ontario Great Lakes second-hand retail store and donation center at the north end of Port Elgin. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Zeller shared that they showed up more than an hour early for the 9 a. m. opening because they didn’t want to miss out on the ceremony, gift certificates, and goodies offered to the first 75 people in line.
Being first in line at the grand opening of the Port Elgin Goodwill Industries store meant arriving over an hour before the official start time for Debbie Zeller and her partner from Owen Sound who were searching for jewellery and postcards at this new thrift shop.
As living costs continue to climb, interest in second-hand shopping is also rising, according to Bev Kobe, Goodwill’s President and CEO. While getting ready for the opening ceremony at their new 14,500-square-foot location, she mentioned it aims to divert as much as 2.4 million pounds of waste each year from Saugeen Shores landfill due to limited capacity.
Kobe quickly answered when asked about some great finds in-store. “Honestly, the best deal is unique to each person. So, my treasure might look a lot different than your treasure, but I can guarantee you there’s a lot of treasures to be found in here,” she said.
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Kobe expressed that Goodwill Industries is “very proud” of its pricing strategy that customers appreciate too. “We’re lower than a for-profit thrift (store). You don’t pay tax and that’s important as people are trying to manage their money.”
Scott Louch, Goodwill ’s Chief Operating Officer addressed attendees by saying it takes many hands to open a store and thanked everyone involved in making it happen in Saugeen Shores – including generous community support.
“We’ve already received 800 donations at this donation door since we opened it a few weeks ago,” Louch stated while noting that meant over 800 vehicles used their drive-through donation center.
“But just as important – look at all the shoppers here today. Look at all these people lined up waiting to get into the store. So, a big thanks to all of our donors and shoppers,” Louch said. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
The grand opening ceremony included cutting what resembled ribbon made from denim with no actual scissors involved; two pieces held together by hook-and-loop fasteners were pulled apart instead – officially welcoming guests inside as security allowed controlled entry into the store.
Goodwill Industries is non-profit charity registered in Canada which operates with social enterprise model comprising total count up-to twenty-four thrift stores plus forty donation centers across Ontario.
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The Owen Sound couple’s passion for finding great deals led them to arrive well before dawn to secure a spot at the front of what soon became a long line of smart shoppers waiting for the April 22 grand opening of Goodwill Industries’ Ontario Great Lakes second-hand retail store and donation center at the north end of Port Elgin. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Zeller shared that they showed up more than an hour early for the 9 a. m. opening because they didn’t want to miss out on the ceremony, gift certificates, and goodies offered to the first 75 people in line.
Being first in line at the grand opening of the Port Elgin Goodwill Industries store meant arriving over an hour before the official start time for Debbie Zeller and her partner from Owen Sound who were searching for jewellery and postcards at this new thrift shop.
As living costs continue to climb, interest in second-hand shopping is also rising, according to Bev Kobe, Goodwill’s President and CEO. While getting ready for the opening ceremony at their new 14,500-square-foot location, she mentioned it aims to divert as much as 2.4 million pounds of waste each year from Saugeen Shores landfill due to limited capacity.
Kobe quickly answered when asked about some great finds in-store. “Honestly, the best deal is unique to each person. So, my treasure might look a lot different than your treasure, but I can guarantee you there’s a lot of treasures to be found in here,” she said.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Kobe expressed that Goodwill Industries is “very proud” of its pricing strategy that customers appreciate too. “We’re lower than a for-profit thrift (store). You don’t pay tax and that’s important as people are trying to manage their money.”
Scott Louch, Goodwill ’s Chief Operating Officer addressed attendees by saying it takes many hands to open a store and thanked everyone involved in making it happen in Saugeen Shores – including generous community support.“We’ve already received 800 donations at this donation door since we opened it a few weeks ago,” Louch stated while noting that meant over 800 vehicles used their drive-through donation center.
“But just as important – look at all the shoppers here today. Look at all these people lined up waiting to get into the store. So, a big thanks to all of our donors and shoppers,” Louch said. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
The grand opening ceremony included cutting what resembled ribbon made from denim with no actual scissors involved; two pieces held together by hook-and-loop fasteners were pulled apart instead – officially welcoming guests inside as security allowed controlled entry into the store.
Goodwill Industries is non-profit charity registered in Canada which operates with social enterprise model comprising total count up-to twenty-four thrift stores plus forty donation centers across Ontario.
Share this article within your social circles!Source link
