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Press Releases

May 22 , 2006

Goodwill celebrates grand opening of new Allendale store

Goodwill Industries of West Michigan (GIWM) is pleased to announce the Grand Opening Celebration of its newest store at 5269 Lake Michigan Drive in Allendale on Friday, June 16. The public is invited to attend a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:45 a.m. Store doors open at 9:00 a.m.

"We are delighted to be opening a Goodwill store in the Allendale community," said Retail Operations Director James Cherney. "Everyone has been incredibly warm and welcoming. People tell us they’re glad we’re here."

The Grand Opening Celebration begins with a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony with the participation of key Goodwill staff and board members, the Allendale Area Chamber of Commerce, and local dignitaries. Festivities include a free gift to every customer, drawings for prizes, refreshments, and — as part of a Goodwill grand opening tradition — a hidden one hundred dollar bill to be found by one lucky shopper

Radio station WJQK-FM 99.3 ("JQ 99") will be on site to host a live radio remote from 9:00–11:00 a.m. and will also be offering giveaways such as cds and concert tickets.

The brand-new, 10,080-square-foot store retail space is open and bright, featuring large windows and skylights. The covered donation "drive-thru" portico on the east side of the building allows donors to drive up and receive quick-and-easy curbside assistance from Goodwill staff. The building was constructed by Winberg Construction of Montague under a build-to-suit agreement with Goodwill.

The store is providing jobs for twenty-two employees; nearly all of them new hires from the area.

Regular Store Hours: Mon.– Sat.: 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Sun.: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

GIWM currently operates nine other retail stores throughout West Michigan, located in: Newaygo, Fremont, Ludington, Whitehall, Muskegon, Norton Shores, Grand Haven, and (2) in Holland. GIWM also participates in Goodwill’s national online auction site: www.shopgoodwill.com.

The mission of Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Inc. is to provide work opportunities and skill development for people with barriers to employment.

Contact:
Liz Witzler, Marketing Director
(231) 722-7871 x223

James Cherney, Director of Retail Operations
(231) 722-7871 x227

Established in 1950, GIWM has been helping people lead more independent lives for over 50 years. Goodwill offers a wide range of programs and services all with the common theme of helping people overcome barriers to employment. Ninety percent of the revenue generated from the sale of donated goods is channeled back into Goodwill’s job training and placement programs. In 2005 alone, GIWM provided employment services to 5,958 people in West Michigan.