Columnist Muriel Stevens: Goodwill spreading in Vegas

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2002 | 8:37 a.m.

Attending the recent pre-opening reception of the newest Goodwill of Southern Nevada retail store at 9230 S. Eastern Ave. was an eye-opener. Thrift shops, as these shops were once known, are no longer little rummage sale-type stores.

This new Goodwill store (there are seven) is in a large, attractive strip mall.

Goodwill was not at all what I expected. It was large and well-lit and filled with clothing racks displaying garments for every member of the family from baby to adult. Everything was so neat and tidy. The walls were filled with shelves displaying everything from small appliances and kitchenware to shoes and books.

There was a rack of wedding gowns with prices ranging up to $100. Some included veils. In these new concept charity retail stores, some items, such as bridal gowns, are purchased rather than donated.

Steve Chartrand, president and CEO of Goodwill of Southern Nevada, also indicated that other items (mostly clothing) had been purchased as well. He speaks of "upscale retail stores." And while the description is not exactly accurate, it's close enough. The new store is attractive, and in a good location.

There were a few kitchen things I would have bought if the store had been open. A few weeks later when I returned, not one of the items I'd considered were there and the store looked the way I remember thrift shops looking. Shelves were depleted of merchandise, piles of goods were everywhere. There was no need to ask if the shop was doing well -- it was packed. The check-out line was long and the staff was overwhelmed.

I'd forgotten that the monthly calendar available at any Goodwill lists a sale on various merchandise every day. One day of the month everything in each store is reduced by half. There are Toddler Tuesdays, 50-percent-off Senior Days and "cord days," when ties and belts are greatly reduced along with many other specials. I bought a few books. Had I waited until book day I could have saved $2 off from the $3 I paid for each of the hardbacks; that is if they had still been there.

"Is it always this busy?" I asked a salesperson. "It's usually worse, especially when everything is on sale," she said.

Not all of Goodwill's stores are Goodwill Superstores. There's another Superstore on West Sahara at Torrey Pines.

Goodwill's mission has always been a fine one: "To provide training, employment and job placement services for people with disabilities and other special needs to maximize the quality of life of each individual served."

To learn more about Goodwill of Southern Nevada, visit sngoodwill.org. For best selection, whatever the day, arrive when the stores open at 9 a.m.

Teen event at Boulevard: Singing sensation Kaci will kick off Boulevard mall's first annual "Your Taste, Your Style, Your Night of Shopping" with a live concert, at 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 22. The first 2,000 teens to make the scene will receive a goodie bag filled with coupons and giveaways. The fashion show is from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; the live concert is from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For additional info call 734-1562, Ext. 6.