Amid a throng of shoppers at Friday’s Goodwill grand opening in Kyle, residents Sharon Rushworth and Aimee Kalmus joined the fray as they compared neatly organized earrings on a rack.
Rushworth, who has been waiting with “baited breath” for Goodwill’s opening, said having the store not only fills a need for thrift stores in the area, but also provides a place where people can give back.
“People now have a larger place to take donations to, where they don’t end up in the garbage or landfill.”
Kyle’s Goodwill, located along Kyle Parkway, has a footprint of 30,000 square feet, with the sales floor taking up approximately 21,000 square feet, said Frank Holland, vice president of retail at Goodwill Central Texas.
The facility, which also has a job help center, is one of the “largest footprint stores” in the Central Texas area, Holland said.
Goodwill has a staff of 30 employees and “could grow from there,” Holland said. Roughly 70 percent of the jobs are full-time positions with benefits.
Holland said Goodwill sought to bring a facility to Kyle based on the area’s growth.
“This is an outstanding location,” Holland said. “It’s where everything seems to be happening … we’re just thrilled to be here.”
One of the major components of the new Goodwill facility is its retail. Holland said funding for Goodwill’s outreach programs, including its career and technical academy, is derived from store retail sales.
Holland said the Kyle store is estimated to rotate 2,000 items per day onto the sales floor, which amounts to approximately 10,000 items per week. Goodwill employees select items that are in “good condition or desirable in some way” and place them out for sale. Goodwill also repurposes items, which are then placed on the sales floor.
“We rotate our inventory very quickly, so people come in, they shop, they find great things, and we refill the rack as fast as we can,” Holland said.
Providing items for a wide range of customers is also important, Holland said.
Clientele at Goodwill ranges from those who enjoy the “thrill of the hunt” to those who resell their finds. Others shop at Goodwill based on its affordability.
“For some folks, this is the most affordable place they can go to for clothing their family. We’re proud to offer that solution for them,” Holland said. “Those who may have a financial need, this is a great destination. They come and find things that can help clothe a family.”
Through the Kyle Goodwill’s Job Center, people who may need help getting into the work force can find the “right connections,” Holland said.
The help extends to those who are looking to return to the workforce, those who have been out of the workforce for an extended period of time, or people who may face challenges entering the workforce.
Holland said Goodwill has helped many who were previously incarcerated return to work after their release.
“We have a job readiness program, where people can go through week-long training,” Holland said. “At the end of it, they end up in a situation where they’re ready to go into an interview for a job.”
Enid Jones, who recently moved to Kyle, said Goodwill helps people obtain an education, along with finding job opportunities.
As a photographer, Jones goes to Goodwill to find affordable props for photo shoots. In addition, the store helps her offset the cost of clothing for her children.
“My son has outgrown stuff in a couple of months. I can’t afford to buy new stuff at Kohls,” Jones said. “I come to Goodwill and look for the same sizes. I know they’re worn in and they’ll fit.”
Seventy-seven-year-old Kyle resident Illario Castilleja said having the store nearby provided convenience for many elderly residents in the area. He frequently travels to San Marcos for shopping needs, including clothing.
“I think it’s a lot better to have something like this around,” he said.
