Nonprofit tags next thrift shop

Nonprofit tags next thrift shop

The nonprofit Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, founded in 1966, operates thrift shops across the region and is “dedicated to changing lives through the power of work.” Photo via fb.com

A nonprofit is extending its chain of thrift shops to the east.

Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids said yesterday that it will open a store in Portland, just off I-96 east, on Nov. 15, at 1320 E. Grand River Ave.

The location is Goodwill’s 16th store in the region, not counting its outlet center and blue boutique in downtown Grand Rapids.

The Portland store is about 7,000 square feet and half the size of a typical Goodwill store. It’s located in an former appliance and furniture store.

The store, which is built to lease, has about seven staff and is accepting donations.

“We are expanding slightly. We saw a need in the Portland area, so that’s why we opened a store there,” said Courtney Carlson, a Goodwill spokesperson. “Our closest store to Portland would be Ionia and that would be kind of far for people.

Carlson added that the location will be "like our stores in Grand Rapids."

"It’ll have an array of clothing and other household items,” she said.