GOODWILL STORE OPENS IN CAPE TO LARGE CROWD

Missouri Goodwill Industries has returned to Cape Girardeau.

A crowd of more than 250 were on hand for the grand-opening of Goodwill's full-line retail operation at 250 Silver Springs Road .The new, 9,500 square foot store was packed with merchandise for Thursday's 10 a.m. Cape Girardeau opening.

On hand for the gala extravaganza Thursday were Cape Girardeau mayor Al Spradling III, chamber of commerce officials, and representatives of Missouri Goodwill Industries, including Neil Brown, Goodwill Divisional Director, and Sheila Kilgore public relations director for Goodwill.

Also here was Elvis Presley impersonator Terry Spurgin, St. Louis, who mixed with the crowd throughout the morning. Spurgin has been an Elvis impersonator since 1991."This is a great welcome," said Kilgore, of the large turnout. "It's a great feeling to be part of the Cape Girardeau community. Judging by the turnout of our grand opening, it appears as though some cost-conscious shopper share that same great feeling."Kilgore added that Goodwill shoppers are attracted to the modern, contemporary appearance of the stores, which are provides an attractive setting."The setting here rivals that of any department store," she added.

Signage throughout the stores designate the various departments, which features apparel for the entire family -- men women and children -- small appliances, bedding and housewares.

The new Cape Girardeau facility is the 17th Missouri Goodwill Industries retail store in Eastern Missouri, which includes locations at Columbia, Springfield, and the St.. Louis metropolitan area."We're looking another location near here," said Brown. "We hope to open a facility in Carbondale, Ill. early next year."People started lining up in front of the Goodwill stored about 9 a.m. Thursday, and by ribbon-cutting time, more than 150 people were waiting to enter the store. Within the first hour, as many as 300 shoppers were inside the store, filling shopping carts to overflowing."This is a typical grand opening for Goodwill," said Brown. "People are anxious to see what we offer."Heather Clark is store manager for Cape Girardeau. The store employs about a dozen people, and could go to about 16, said Brown.

Goodwill is not stranger to the Cape Girardeau area. A Goodwill Industries store was located here until the mid-1970s."I remember the store was in the 100 block of Themis n the 100 block of Themis in the downtown area," said Tom Neumeyer, a member of the city council who was on hand for the grand opening.

Goodwill Industries is a non-profit organization that provides employment and training programs and services to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Proceed derived form the sale of donated goods at Goodwill's 17 retail stores help to support the agency's programsGrand opening at Cape Girardeau will continue to run through Saturday.

A variety of special activities such has hourly prize drawings and entertainment by "Memories of Elvis in Concert," are planned throughout grand opening.

Store hours here will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Goodwill will accept donations of clothing, pots and pans, dishes, silverware, glassware, small furniture and numerous other items during store hours. "We need good usable and salable items," said Kilgaore. "Goodwill does not repair, fix, or patch goods."Goodwill's drive-thru Donation Stations make donating easy in Cape Girardeau. Donors will be given a receipt for usable items for tax donations.