The Goodwill Store

The Goodwill Store

by Marilyn Mackenzie

The first time I shopped at a Goodwill Store or Salvation Army Store was when my son was about eleven years old.  He wanted some "old guy funky retro clothes" and decided that these stores would be a gold mine for him. 

Prior to that, I had a few thrift stores where I shopped regularly.  One focused on kids clothes, and when my son was a baby, he had some wonderful desgner clothes because of that thrift shopping.  Another focused on women's clothes.  I learned that most of the clothes came from the rich ladies in the neighboring communities, but were turned in by their maids and housekeepers.  Many of those dresses still had tags on them.

But back to the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores.  I learned, because of my son, that there can be some great finds there.  Then, when Allison lived with us, she worked at one of Cincinnati's Goodwill stores and we shopped there regularly.

I love the buy-out racks - racks and racks of clothes with tags on them.  These come from stores getting rid of inventory, which they donate to the Goodwill.  Everyone benefits from these donations - the original retailer, Goodwill, and Goodwill's customers.

The other day - the same day that I bought all the candy at Walgreens that I wrote about here Today's Deals - my son and I visited Goodwill.  First, we donated a trunk full of stuff, then we shopped.

The day we were there, all sweaters (usually $6.99) were on sale for $1.99.  There were racks and racks of sweaters - turtle necks, cardigans, everything.  I bought just one - a beautiful purple sweater with a different kind of a collar.  Quite pretty.

All furniture was 50% off that day too, but I wasn't in the market for any furniture.

While I was there, I got a copy of February's calendar of savings for this particular store.  I love the days when folks over 50 get a big discount. 

For anyone living in Cincinnati (Tina, are you reading???):

Saturday, February 23 - 50% off clothing, shoes, electronics, toys

Monday, February 25 - Sweaters $1.99, all kids' clothing 99 cents

Tuesday, February 26 - 50% off books, music, movies

Friday, February 29 - 50% off clothing

For Cincinnati folks, here's the link:  Cincinnati Goodwill

For everyone else:  Goodwill Locator

To locate a Salvation Army Store:  Salvation Army Store Locator