Goodwill Store Plans Grand Opening Friday

Noticing big blue Goodwill signs on the Sanders Court shopping plaza at Sanders and Dundee roads, early bargain-hunters and curiosity seekers discovered they were a week early Friday as they knocked on the front door and peeked inside.

The new, 22,000-square-foot store was a beehive of activity with about 60 employees stocking shelves or setting up the donation storefront. But the thrift shop won’t officially be open for business until Friday, when it kicks off a grand opening weekend.

Even earlier were job seekers. A sign advertising positions at the store was replaced by one touting the grand opening on Friday. The 45 positions were snapped up quickly, and , run from a regional office in Milwaukee, does not expect to add more jobs soon.

Cheryl Lightholder, communications director of the regional office, said the Sanders Court site was chosen because of its location “in areas where we estimate strong sales.” Nearly 60,000 people in the northern suburbs received a mailer about the upcoming opening.

Customers can start coming in at 8 a.m. Friday, with donations being accepted an hour before the store opens each day. Among the grand opening promotions will be $5 off a $20 purchase, free coffee, complimentary copies of former Cubs player, the late Ron Santo's book A Perfect 10 and additional coupons, prizes and giveaways.

Regular store hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

“It’s a treasure hunt where you don’t know what you’ll find,” said Lightholder. “We have designer items and new products from national retailers.”

Although known for apparel, stores also stock home goods, furniture, sporting goods, books and movies.

“The right price is the one customers want to pay,” Lightholder said.

When it comes to making donations, does have some guidelines:

“Always donate to what you’d give to a friend,” Lightholder said. “We understand some items will come in with a button missing, thread ripped.”