State-of-the-art Tacoma Goodwill Retail Store Opened on June 6

TACOMA, WA – On June 6th a new 25,000 sq. ft. store opened in the heart of South Tacoma’s Hosmer district. Opening festivities took place from June 6 through June 9, and included live entertainment, face painting, food and drink.

“This new retail location will offer an improved thrift shopping opportunity that we term fashion forward merchandising - a step up from traditional thrift retail without any raise in prices.” said Terry Hayes, President and CEO of Tacoma Goodwill. “This will be a win-win for consumers and the area unemployed as revenue from this store will generate job center training and placement for 50 Tacoma residents each year,” said Hayes.

The new store manager, Gloria Eubanks, has more than 30 years of retail experience, including retail management at the Bon Marche’/Macy’s and Meier & Frank.

“This new opening represents exciting new employment and job training for residents in south Tacoma,” said Tacoma Councilmember Joe Lonergan. “Our city adds 25 new area jobs in store retail, management, warehouse, custodial and maintenance positions, while retail revenue will generate additional Goodwill job center training and placement for our city,” said Lonergan.

The South Tacoma Goodwill is the newest of 32 stores in southwest and central Washington raising revenue for free job placement, career training and education for low income and underserved people. Goodwill boutiques, retail stores and outlets, along with partnerships with more than 800 regional businesses and funding partners, are helping nearly 9,000 area residents and families to connect with a higher quality of life.

“The chamber is very happy to report that 25 new area jobs will translate into approximately $503,000 in store wages and benefits for families, which also means paychecks that are spent in our area businesses,” said Tom Pierson, President and CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. And each new employee that comes off of unemployment and other programs saves business and individual taxpayers about $13,000 per year.”

About Tacoma GoodwillGetting America Back to Work…

Goodwill provides innovative job placement, career training and education to connect Americans with a higher quality of life. As a unique nonprofit business, our thrift shop revenue and public donations fuel programs that help people with limited income, disabilities and disadvantages overcome barriers to employment. This year alone, Tacoma Goodwill Industries will help 9,000 people with education, job training and placement so they can become independent self-supporting citizens. Of these, more than 2,200 people will be offered office, culinary, catering, retail, custodial, warehouse, transportation and logistics careers thanks to partnerships with 800 companies across Washington. These critical career development and placement services are funded through generous financial gifts, grants, fees, commercial services and the operation of 32 thrift stores throughout our western and south central Washington operations. Please visit our website at www.tacomagoodwill.org . Visit us at Facebook: GoodwillWA . Follow us on Twitter @goodwillwa .