GOODWILL STORE COMING TO CAPE

Missouri Goodwill Industries, which operates 15 thrift stores mostly in the St. Louis area, is coming to Cape Girardeau.

Goodwill will open a full-line retail store at 350 S. Silver Springs Rd. next month, said Stacy Erdmann of the organization.

"The new Goodwill store will feature apparel for the entire family, including baby, children and adult clothing, as well as small appliances, furniture, housewares and other items," said Erdmann.

The 9,550-square-foot building previously occupied by Chucky Cheese will house the store and space for in-store donation processing.

The location also will offer a drive-through donation station for drop-offs," she said.

Donations can include clothing and accessories, pots and pans, dishes, glassware, sheets, curtains and furniture. Receipts will be given for donations.

"Goodwill does not repair, fix or patch goods," said Larry G. Nernes, president and chief executive officer of Missouri Goodwill Industries. "The donations we receive should be usable and salable."

Missouri Goodwill is a not-for-profit organization that provides employment and training programs and services to people with disabilities.

Once the store is operating, Goodwill plans to install a transition office here with employment and training for handicapped workers.

Proceeds derived from the sale of donated goods help support the agency's program. Stores operated by the St. Louis district of Goodwill are at Cape Girardeau, Columbia and Springfield.

Grand-opening ceremonies at the Cape Girardeau store will be held Oct. 21 through 23, kicking off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Oct. 21.

"Customers will be pleasantly surprised by the attractive department-store-like setting that has become a standard for all Goodwill stores," said Nernes.

Store hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

The store will be the third thrift store operation in Cape Girardeau. Other thrift stores are the Teen Challenge Thrift Store, 111 N. Middle, and the Salvation Army Thrift Store, 618 Independence.

Teen Challenge and Salvation Army store spokesmen said they welcome the new thrift store.

The new store will be stocked with merchandise from the St. Louis area for the grand opening. Local donations will be accepted following the grand opening.

Donated goods provide funds to train disabled individuals, said Goodwill officials. In turn, some clients work and train in the stores or in the processing of the goods.

Other means of funding for Goodwill programs are from client service fees, federal and state grants, United Way, and gifts and contributions from individuals and corporations.