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Press Releases

August 17, 2007

New Goodwill store to open in Fremont

Goodwill Industries of West Michigan is pleased to announce the Grand Opening Celebration of its new Fremont store on Friday, September 7. A special ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for 8:45 a.m. and doors open at 9:00 a.m.

Located at 1422 West Main Street (next to Arby's), the new store and donation center is 8,400 square feet - a significant increase from the current 4,900-square-foot Goodwill store at 1224 West Main. The smaller store will close its doors on Wednesday, September 5 after ten years of business. Prior to the 1224 Main Street location, Goodwill had a store at 103 Connie Street. Goodwill's first store in Fremont opened in 1968 at 5 Main Street (now Liberty Jewelers.)

"On behalf of the citizens of Fremont and the Fremont City Council, I offer my congratulations to Goodwill upon the completion of this much-anticipated retail store. Goodwill has been a productive member of our community, providing retail shopping, employment, and the recycling of donated goods. We look forward to continuing our on-going and positive relationship," said The Honorable James Rynberg, Mayor of Fremont, who also serves on the Goodwill Industries' board of directors.

"We've enjoyed tremendous shopper and donor support from the Fremont community for 39 years," said Goodwill Director of Retail Operations James Cherney. "It is a pleasure to honor Fremont for its patronage and loyalty with this beautiful new store."

Featuring abundant windows and skylights, the store's larger sales floor and processing area will result in increased merchandise offerings to customers. A convenient covered donation "drive-thru" on the west side of the building, allows donors to drive right up and receive curbside assistance from Goodwill staff. Other improvements include a truck dock and internal-feed trash compactor for increased efficiencies in transportation and donations management.

The Grand Opening Celebration features a special ribbon-cutting ceremony with the participation of key staff and local dignitaries, and a live radio remote broadcasting.

Other festivities include giveaways, 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!

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

Contact
Liz Witzler, Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Inc.
(231) 722-7871 x223
lwitzler@goodwillwm.org

The mission of Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Inc. is to provide work opportunities and skill development for people with barriers to employment.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 2006 alone, GIWM provided employment services to 6,388 people in West Michigan.