JACKSON, Tenn. — The Grand Opening of Jackson’s newest Goodwill store in one of the city’s premiere shopping areas will be celebrated on Tuesday, Oct. 20, with a ribbon-cutting and numerous door prizes.

The store, which also includes a covered, drive-through Donations Express Center, is located at 1495 Vann Drive. It replaces a store at 53 Carriage House Drive, which will close just before the new store opens.

“Goodwill is excited to continue its efforts in Jackson to improve the donation and shopping experience. This new facility will allow Goodwill to process more donations, which means more merchandise for sale in the store, and help put more people to work throughout Madison County,” said Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee President and CEO Matthew Bourlakas.

Events get under way at the new store at 8 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Jackson Chamber. The store and donations area will open at 8:15 a.m.

The 23,000-square-foot facility features a 16,400-square-foot sales floor, numerous skylights and a covered, drive-through Donations Express Center. About 35-40 employees will work in the new building, including workers who will transfer from the former Goodwill facility.

The store will sell gently used clothing, shoes, books, furniture and household items, including many name brands, at deeply discounted prices. Sales fund Goodwill’s mission of providing job training and employment opportunities in the community for people who are struggling to find work. These free services are offered at 30 Goodwill Career Solutions centers across the organization’s 48-county territory, including those at 15-B West University Parkway and 1320 S. Highland Ave. in Jackson.

In 2014, Goodwill Career Solutions assisted 28,159 people in Middle and West Tennessee. Of those, 9,558 landed jobs. The centers in Madison County served 2,006 people and helped 524 land jobs.

Shoppers can register to win an iPad mini in the store on Oct. 20. Goodwill tote bags will be given to the first 500 shoppers starting that day, and 20 Goodwill gift cards will be given away through Thursday, Oct. 22. Children will receive a bag of goodies from Sony Pictures’ “Hotel Transylvania 2” while supplies last.

Operations at Goodwill’s other store in Jackson, located at 1320 S. Highland Ave., will not be affected by the relocation. Hours at both stores and their Donations Express Centers will be 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday. The phone number for the new store is (731) 410-4030.

JACKSON GOODWILL STORE GRAND OPENING

When: Tuesday, Oct. 20
8 a.m. – Ribbon-cutting Ceremony  |  8:15 a.m. — Store and Donations Express Center open to customers through 8 p.m. — Door prizes distributed
Where: 1495 Vann Drive, Jackson, Tenn.

Read the Fall 2015 edition of The Ambassador – Goodwill’s quarterly magazine which provides readers with stories of events, activities and the inspiring changes Goodwill is making in the lives of others.

About Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

For more than 55 years Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has provided job training and job placement free of charge to people with disabilities or other barriers to employment through the sale of donated items. In 2014, Goodwill served 28,159 people in Middle and West Tennessee and placed 9.558 people in jobs. More information about Goodwill’s Career Solutions, retail stores and donation centers can be obtained online at  www.giveit2goodwill.org or by calling 1-800-545-9231

READ STORY