Neighbor News
Goodwill Manasota opens its largest retail store in Lakewood Ranch
An estimated 2,000 community members shop Ranch Lake location during grand opening
SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – Goodwill Manasota’s “Ranch Lake” location opened to the public on March 19 at 9am with an overflowing parking lot and a long line of shoppers that took a full seven minutes to enter the store. The first store patrons arrived at 6am to await the opening and later advised Goodwill team members that it was well worth the wait. With more than 1,400 transactions, an estimated 2,000 people visited the new location, and 35 community members dropped off goods at the attached attended donation center.
The retail store, at nearly 23,000 square feet, has the largest sales floor of any Goodwill retail location within the four-county radius. The entire building, at just under 50,000 square feet, also includes a Community Room that groups can utilize for programs at no cost, the attended donation center, and a Job Connection office, which offers free employment services to job seekers and local employers.
Highlight areas of the store include the “Tech Connection Powered by G,” which features computers, gaming systems and accessories, music components and more, and “Treasure Island,” which features designer shoes, handbags and jewelry. The Ranch Lake Goodwill is located in the Ranch Lake Plaza, 8750 State Road 70 East.
“We are thrilled by the turnout at our Ranch Lake store for its grand opening. We have actively searched for a way to bring Goodwill to the Lakewood Ranch area and this location could not be more perfect,” said Bob Rosinsky, president & CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “When community members donate their unwanted items, or buy clothing and furniture, they are directly creating jobs and changing lives through the power of work. We are only able to provide services for individuals with disabilities and veterans because of the generosity of our community. Your friends, your family, your neighbors … we helped them because of you. This store is our way of saying ‘thank you.’”
The location, which employs 50 brand new hires to Goodwill Manasota, is expected to have a nearly $2 million annual impact. Goodwill celebrated the new location with a VIP Grand Opening Celebration and ribbon-cutting on March 18. Goodwill professional and volunteer leaders, donors, Ambassadors (community advocates), elected officials, and members of the Manatee County business community were in attendance.
PHOTO ID: (Front row with ribbon, l-r) Sister Gilchrist Cottrill, director of Ave Maria Preparatory School; Heather Kasten, executive director of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance; Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh; Goodwill Ambassador Jo Rita Stevens; Ruth Williams, retired Goodwill VP and wife of Goodwill Manasota CEO; Bob Rosinsky Goodwill Manasota president and CEO; members of Goodwill’s professional leadership team Melissa Prosser, Daniel Hancock, Mary Lou England and Donn Githens; and Goodwill Ambassador Fred Lopez
Photo by Cliff Roles
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2014, Goodwill Manasota served more than 16,000 people, placed 680 people in jobs and assisted 520 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $81.3 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 39 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota in essence belongs to this community, and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.
###
