Suffolk Goodwill latest facility to sprout up in Hampton Roads

Shopping for bargains just got a lot easier in Suffolk.

Goodwill Industries serving Central Virginia and Hampton Roads opened a new, 15,000-square-foot retail store and donation center in the city's upscale Harbour View area Feb. 2.

The store is the third Goodwill retail location in Suffolk and the 14th in Hampton Roads. The opening comes on the heels of another recent Goodwill addition - its Greenbrier store on Sherrington Drive in Chesapeake, which debuted Dec. 14.

The two are the first Goodwill stores in the area built from the ground up, spokesperson Danielle Cronin said.

Another location on Cedar Road in Chesapeake's Great Bridge is scheduled for an April opening.

The Harbour View store has remained busy since it opened, store manager Tim Stafford said.

"I'm very pleased with the community response," Stafford said. "So far, patronage has exceeded my expectations."

Sheryl Grover recently visited the new store with her 21-month-old grandson, Landon. She was impressed with the high quality of goods and the well-organized, spacious displays.

"It's so bright and clean and welcoming," said Grover, who has shopped at other area Goodwill stores in the past. "I find some of my best deals at Goodwill - especially high-end linens, children's clothing and shoes."

Landon enjoyed the extensive toy selection and managed to snag a few bargains of his own.

Grover not only shops at Goodwill, she also donates goods to the organization.

"They have a very convenient donation drive-through, so I don't even have to get out of my car," she said.

Retired educator Susan Henderson recently visited the store twice in three days.

"It's the kind of store where you have to take the time to browse, because you never know what you'll find," she said.

Henderson said Goodwill stores are exceptional in that they provide fitting rooms to try on clothing and a seven-day return policy.

"That's not typical for thrift stores," she said.

Goodwill offers bargain prices on clothing, shoes, media, electronics, furnishings, home accessories and toys. The average price for adult clothing is $4.99.

In 2006, Goodwill had only six stores in three Hampton Roads cities - Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Newport News. That year, Goodwill Industries of Hampton Roads partnered with Goodwill Industries of Central Virginia, which is headquartered in Richmond, to pool resources and expand services throughout the region.

The organization's retail growth began locally in 2009. In addition to stores, Goodwill operates an outlet, a Community Employment Center and four independent donation centers in Hampton Roads.

"Three stores over a four-month period obviously is a huge investment for Goodwill, but one that our research indicates will pay off for the communities we serve," Cronin said. "Our retail business is the revenue stream for funding our programs and services."

Cronin said no other specific store locations are planned at the moment, but the long-term goal is to continue expansion in the area.

"We will continue to grow as our needs dictate," she said.

Founded in 1902, Goodwill's mission is to provide employment, job training and career services for individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities, military veterans, dislocated workers that may need re-training and people looking for jobs who have been out of the work force for a long period of time.

In addition to retail stores, the nonprofit operates a staffing service and a document destruction business.

Lia Russell, 582-6865, rhett2lia@cox.net