One of the smallest and least visible Goodwill stores in the Central Illinois territory will soon have a new home that will nearly triple the space, retail items and services of its current Galesburg location.
Construction is expected to start soon on a new 15,000 square foot Goodwill retail store at 2200 N. Henderson St., site of the former Sirloin Stockade buffet restaurant.
An official groundbreaking ceremony is set for Oct. 25. Don Johnson, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, tells WGIL he anticipates the new Galesburg store being open by late spring 2024.
Goodwill has been located at 1338 N. Henderson St. since 2006.
“It’s time we step up and provide more for the Galesburg community,” Johnson said. “For one, you couldn’t hide the current store any better. I would say we’re two blocks off of Henderson Street. The building is aging, and has probably served it’s time for Goodwill.
“We will not only own our new building, but we will be increasing everything three-fold. A 15,000 square foot store will mean a whole different ballgame. You’ll see more product and better product, because we’ll have more room.”
Jersey Mike’s, T-Mobile coming to Galesburg
The new Galesburg Goodwill at 2200 N. Henderson St. will be the largest lessee in a two-building, multi-tenant retail center developed by Chicago-based Core Acquisitions. According to Adam Bell, vice president with Core, groundbreaking for both buildings will happen this month.
Bell tells WGIL two tenants have been secured for Lot 1. T-Mobile has signed a lease for the 2,200 square foot Retail 1 suite, while Jersey Mike’s has signed a lease to occupy the 1,600 square foot Retail 2 suite. Although initial business plans showed a Mattress Firm to be in the building, Bell said the national mattress store will not be coming to the development. He said 4,800 square feet remain available for lease.
“The goal is to wrap up our construction next spring with tenant openings next summer,” Bell said.
New Goodwill will offer ‘new goods, trailer buys’
Increased space will allow the new Galesburg Goodwill to offer trailer and new goods buys, according to Johnson. The larger facility also will provide staff more room to produce and recycle donated items.
“This will not only bring the Galesburg store up to standards, it will be right up there with our biggest stores,” said Johnson, who oversees 11 stores in Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois Region. “With everything new and more products, I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised when they walk in the new store.”
The new store will employee between 30 and 40 people, nearly doubling the size of its current staff. Some staff will be full-time with benefits.
Added space also will allow for events like donation drives and community events.
Johnson said they settled on the development at the former Sirloin Stockade after exploring five to six other possible new locations in Galesburg.
“We love being on Henderson Street and Carl Sandburg Drive, which is major shopping zone in Galesburg,” he said. “It also can be seen from Route 34. It matches all the things you look for in a location.
“If you weren’t looking the right way, you would never see the old store. This one, you won’t be able to miss.”
Additional space to recycle items at the new store will help further Goodwill’s role as one of the largest recyclers in downstate Illinois, according to Johnson.
‘We want all donations — we don’t cherry pick’
“Only about 25% of donated items make it to the showroom floor, which means we better have a very, very good recycling program,” Johnson said. “We want all donations — we don’t cherry pick.
“So for that 75% that doesn’t make it to the showroom, it’s up to us to keep every bit of that out of the landfill. So nobody should be throwing any linens or clothing away today, because it also has value not only in the US, but across the world.
He added, “Finding value in that 75% is key, and part of our business model.”
Metals, electronics (except for TVs) and cardboard also are recycled by Goodwill. Computers also are among the electronics Goodwill accepts and recycles.
Goodwill works with larger companies for pickups and donation drives, and the Good Moves program handles pickups for larger donations in volume or size of items.
“We are very excited for our employees and the community of Galesburg for all of these reasons,” Johnson said.
Goodwill will have an official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Galesburg Goodwill at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25.
