BOARDMAN, Ohio – Whether it was pent-up demand or just another busy day, customers packed into Goodwill Industries Inc.’s location here Wednesday as the store reopened after a monthlong renovation project.
“There was a line forming outside before we opened at nine,” said Joseph Catullo, Goodwill’s marketing and relationship coordinator. “So this is exciting.”
The retail outlet at 285 Boardman-Canfield Road is one of the region’s busiest locations and is a top destination for community donations.
The store closed for a month to make needed renovations to the approximately 10,000-square-foot space at the Boardman Plaza, Catullo said. Among the improvements are a new floor, new shelving, signage and the addition of shopping carts. Other renovations include larger doorways in the back that allow for more efficient preparation of items and goods before they move to the sales floor.
Heather Yeager, director of retail operations, also said the store removed fitting rooms to increase floor space and add inventory.
Goodwill sells everything from clothing, furniture, fixtures, toys, home goods and dozens of other miscellaneous products at its stores. All these items are donated from the community.
Goodwill Industries operates 10 stores in the five-county region and has operated its Boardman location since 2007. “I would say this is our top location for donations,” Yeager said, since it is situated along the U.S. Route 224 commercial corridor.
Although the store was closed for retail sales, it continued to accept donations while renovations were underway.
“The donations continue to be brisk, and we are thankful to the folks who donate, because without them, we wouldn’t have jobs here,” Yeager said. “We believe in the value of people and the power of work.”
At present, approximately 20 are employed full time and part time at the Boardman store.
Yeager said most of the renovations are finished, except for some additional cosmetic and painting work. More signage is likely to be commissioned as well.
Catullo said the approximately $100,000 in improvements demonstrate an investment in the future of the Boardman store. “We’re not doing this to be here for another year or two,” he said. “We want to stay in Boardman for the long haul.”
Pictured at top: From left are Joseph Catullo, Goodwill Industries marketing coordinator; Mary Ellen Gaughan, vice president of operations (and mascot); and Heather Yeager, director of retail operations.