Goodwill to open buy the pound warehouse outlet in Gorham Feb. 16

New store model furthers the nonprofit’s sustainability efforts

Gorham – Goodwill Industries of Northern New England announces the Grand Opening of the Gorham Buy-the-Pound Warehouse Outlet at 9 am on Thursday, February 16. The warehouse outlet is located in the Gorham Industrial Park (34 Hutcherson Drive) and offers deeply discounted merchandise on a “buy-the-pound” basis.

The warehouse outlet is adjacent to Goodwill’s new warehouse and recycling center. Goodwill purchased the building in an effort to consolidate multiple warehouse locations and further expand recycling efforts. The building is 106,000 square feet, with 6,500 dedicated to the warehouse outlet. The outlet features merchandise that did not sell in Goodwill’s traditional retail stores and will be rotated throughout the day, continually offering new options to customers. The outlet offers a staggered pricing structure, depending on the pounds of merchandise purchased (see complete pricing structure below).

The opening of the Buy the Pound Warehouse Outlet furthers Goodwill’s sustainability goals of maximizing the value of donations and diverting items from the landfill. Sales through the outlet store will divert about 200,000 pounds of trash in the first year of operation. “Shopping at the warehouse outlet will be a different experience than shopping at our traditional retail stores,” noted Bob Frederick, Director of Operations. “It is a simple set up, with merchandise on tables or shelving, encouraging customers to browse our selection. We are able to offer goods at a significant savings before goods are introduced to our recycling efforts.”

The warehouse outlet also accepts donations, including computers and parts for the ReConnect computer recycling program. Since the start of the ReConnect program 2009, nearly five million pounds of e-waste have been recycled in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The new warehouse space also allows Goodwill to more efficiently recycle other materials, including paper, cardboard, metals, glass, plastics and textiles.

“We are thrilled to offer the public this new warehouse outlet model,” noted Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, Goodwill President and CEO. “At our core, Goodwill’s model reflects the full scope of sustainability. The opening of the outlet has allowed us to maximize the value of donations, create new jobs and expand waste reduction and recycling efforts.”

The opening of the warehouse outlet has created over ten new jobs. Warehouse Outlet hours will be Monday-Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm and Sundays 9 am to 5 pm. Please note that because of the deeply discounted pricing, the warehouse outlet is unable to honor other Goodwill discounts or coupons. All items are sold as is and cannot offer returns, refunds or exchanges. The outlet accepts cash, Mastercard, Visa and Discover cards (no checks).

Pricing Information
All Clothing, Accessories, Housewares, Toys & Shoes:

.5 – 10 pounds: $1.49/pound
10.5 – 25 pounds: $1.29/pound
25.5 – 50 pounds: $.99/pound
Over 50 pounds: $.79/pound

Other

Paperback Books: $.25/pound
Hardcover Books, Video & Cassette Tapes: $.50/pound
CDs & Record Albums: $1.00/pound
DVDs: $2.00/pound

Large items, such as furniture, appliances and exercise equipment are individually priced.