For the Reporter

The recent re-opening of the 18,257-square-foot Auburn Goodwill Store, at 1519 Auburn Way S., provides a first glimpse at a new store design that will expand throughout 15 counties in southwest Washington and the Olympic Peninsula over the next four years.

Goodwill’s new retail venue will improve the customer shopping experience by making it difficult to display merchandise – one-of-a-kind and unique donations – easier to shop for.

Layout features more organization and visible non-stacked merchandise. An electronic testing station, bilingual easy to read signage, an airy lit atmosphere, and central, spacious fitting rooms complement the effort. Converting cashier locations from multi-line supermarket style checkout to a single serpentine line ensures you don’t end up in the slow lane and entices shoppers with additional merchandise.

Store revenue funds free job training and job placement in a variety of career fields through four regional Work Opportunity Centers and two satellite offices.

In the past year 9,841 unemployed residents were provided job training and other education in a variety of career fields and 3,046 were placed with area jobs with the help of our 1,332 business partners, according to the company.

To learn more, visit www.goodwillwa.org.