Excited shoppers arrived bright and early on Thursday morning, eager to snag fantastic deals at the grand opening of the Goodwill Industries store and donation center in Port Elgin.
Apr 24, 2025 •
With a full and part-time staff of 42, the new Port Elgin Goodwill Industries store and donation depot was all set for daily second-hand shopping ahead of its April 22 grand opening. Photo by Frances Learment /Shoreline Beacon
Debbie Zeller was on the hunt for jewelry. Her partner had his eyes set on postcards.
The couple from Owen Sound were keen to find great bargains, which led them to arrive very early to secure their spot at the front of what turned out to be a long line of savvy shoppers during the April 22 grand opening of the 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 mentioned they showed up more than an hour before the 9 a. m. opening because they didn’t want to miss out on the ceremony or gift certificates being given away to the first 75 people in line.
Being first in line for the grand opening of the Port Elgin Goodwill Industries store meant arriving more than an hour before the scheduled 9 a. m. start for Debbie Zeller and her partner from Owen Sound who were shopping for jewelry and postcards at this new thrift shop.
As living costs keep rising, interest in second-hand stores is also growing, according to Bev Kobe, Goodwill’s President and CEO. As she got ready for the opening ceremony at this new 14,500-square-foot location, she stated it aims to prevent up to 2.4 million pounds of waste each year from ending up in Saugeen Shores landfill, which has limited space.
Kobe had no hesitation when asked about finding great deals in this new 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 as well. “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 thanked everyone involved in making this store happen in Saugeen Shores – especially highlighting community support.
“We’ve already received 800 donations at this donation door since we opened it a few weeks ago,” Louch shared, noting that meant around 800 vehicles have 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 goes out to all our donors and shoppers,” Louch added. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Goodwill Industries , Ontario Great Lakes officially opened its Port Elgin community store with a ribbon-cutting event on April 24. Present were : Steve Millar , Goodwill Chief Financial & Administrative Officer ; Jon Fee , executive director , Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce ; Bev Kobe , Goodwill President and CEO ; Scott Louch , Goodwill COO ; Saugeen Shores Deputy Mayor Diane Huber ; Coun. Bud Halpin ; Erin Aldridge , Chamber of Commerce President. Photo by Clara Tuckey /Goodwill Industries
In her speech , Kobe made a promise every thrift shopper wants : “ We commit to keeping this store fresh and full so that every day you have access to affordable goods , ” she stated , adding that maintaining low prices is increasingly crucial during today’s cost-of-living “ crisis. ”
In another press release , Kobe highlighted that every purchase or donation supports training programs offered by Goodwill Industries along with job opportunities for individuals facing employment challenges.
“ We are incredibly proud to expand our operations in Saugeen Shores creating new jobs while helping consumers reduce their environmental impact while giving families access affordable goods ,” Kobe emphasized Goodwill Industries serves as an employment creator，Kobe explained，believing work provides purpose meaning thus creating opportunities where they’re most needed-helping those who wish find something meaningful.
“ We also want provide space where you can donate items allowing others find treasures ensuring we prolong product life extend usability keeping goods within local economy instead heading landfills… ” said Kobe. This has not loaded yet，but your article continues below. On behalf Town Saugeen Shores ， Deputy Mayor Diane Huber expressed gratitude towards choosing us stating it stands out being area first location based upon overwhelming customer response predicting success embraced community.
“ I’ve been inside-just wait till get there ! There’s plenty treasures discover! Spotted some Toronto Maple Leaf items too if that’s your thing-and prices looked pretty nice，” remarked Huber ， adding how intriguing addition enriches local experiences further emphasizing sentiment behind objects once forgotten could bring joy someone else life anew. After completing ceremonial ribbon cutting-there wasn’t actually any cutting involved; sections denim ‘ribbon’ simply pulled apart – doors swung open allowing carefully monitored entry into shop followed excited patrons entering freely upon invitation. Good Will Industry function non-profit charity operating social enterprise managing twenty-four thrift shops forty donation centers province-wide through Ontario region. Share article within network social media<
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The couple from Owen Sound were keen to find great bargains, which led them to arrive very early to secure their spot at the front of what turned out to be a long line of savvy shoppers during the April 22 grand opening of the 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 mentioned they showed up more than an hour before the 9 a. m. opening because they didn’t want to miss out on the ceremony or gift certificates being given away to the first 75 people in line.
Being first in line for the grand opening of the Port Elgin Goodwill Industries store meant arriving more than an hour before the scheduled 9 a. m. start for Debbie Zeller and her partner from Owen Sound who were shopping for jewelry and postcards at this new thrift shop.
As living costs keep rising, interest in second-hand stores is also growing, according to Bev Kobe, Goodwill’s President and CEO. As she got ready for the opening ceremony at this new 14,500-square-foot location, she stated it aims to prevent up to 2.4 million pounds of waste each year from ending up in Saugeen Shores landfill, which has limited space.
Kobe had no hesitation when asked about finding great deals in this new 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 as well. “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 thanked everyone involved in making this store happen in Saugeen Shores – especially highlighting community support.“We’ve already received 800 donations at this donation door since we opened it a few weeks ago,” Louch shared, noting that meant around 800 vehicles have 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 goes out to all our donors and shoppers,” Louch added. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Goodwill Industries , Ontario Great Lakes officially opened its Port Elgin community store with a ribbon-cutting event on April 24. Present were : Steve Millar , Goodwill Chief Financial & Administrative Officer ; Jon Fee , executive director , Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce ; Bev Kobe , Goodwill President and CEO ; Scott Louch , Goodwill COO ; Saugeen Shores Deputy Mayor Diane Huber ; Coun. Bud Halpin ; Erin Aldridge , Chamber of Commerce President. Photo by Clara Tuckey /Goodwill Industries
In her speech , Kobe made a promise every thrift shopper wants : “ We commit to keeping this store fresh and full so that every day you have access to affordable goods , ” she stated , adding that maintaining low prices is increasingly crucial during today’s cost-of-living “ crisis. ”In another press release , Kobe highlighted that every purchase or donation supports training programs offered by Goodwill Industries along with job opportunities for individuals facing employment challenges.
“ We are incredibly proud to expand our operations in Saugeen Shores creating new jobs while helping consumers reduce their environmental impact while giving families access affordable goods ,” Kobe emphasized Goodwill Industries serves as an employment creator，Kobe explained，believing work provides purpose meaning thus creating opportunities where they’re most needed-helping those who wish find something meaningful.
“ We also want provide space where you can donate items allowing others find treasures ensuring we prolong product life extend usability keeping goods within local economy instead heading landfills… ” said Kobe. This has not loaded yet，but your article continues below. On behalf Town Saugeen Shores ， Deputy Mayor Diane Huber expressed gratitude towards choosing us stating it stands out being area first location based upon overwhelming customer response predicting success embraced community.
“ I’ve been inside-just wait till get there ! There’s plenty treasures discover! Spotted some Toronto Maple Leaf items too if that’s your thing-and prices looked pretty nice，” remarked Huber ， adding how intriguing addition enriches local experiences further emphasizing sentiment behind objects once forgotten could bring joy someone else life anew. After completing ceremonial ribbon cutting-there wasn’t actually any cutting involved; sections denim ‘ribbon’ simply pulled apart – doors swung open allowing carefully monitored entry into shop followed excited patrons entering freely upon invitation. Good Will Industry function non-profit charity operating social enterprise managing twenty-four thrift shops forty donation centers province-wide through Ontario region. Share article within network social media<
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