Goodwill Industries plans to open a store in Sequim in July.

The nonprofit chain thrift store has been eying Sequim for several months, according to Matthew Erlich, media relations representative for Tacoma Goodwill Industries.

“It’s everything we look for in a market,” Erlich said.

“When you look at the demographics, there’s higher household ownership, which translates to more donations because people have been there for a long time.”

30 new jobs

The new store, which will be located in Rite Aid’s former location at 680-C W. Washington St. offers 30 new jobs:

Store manager
Supervisors
Donation attendants
Cashiers

Applications are available at www.tacomagoodwill.org.

Local connection

Goodwill stores already are in Port Angeles, 603 S. Lincoln St., and Port Townsend, 602 Howard St.

“Our stores pull in a 10-mile radius,” Erlich said.

“For us, it’s an opportunity to serve an underserved area. It might pull away from those stores some, but it might pull in more who typically don’t go to those other stores.”

The number of consignment and thrift stores in Sequim didn’t affect Goodwill’s decision.

“We are looking more at the demographic and for those who not only donate to us but to other nonprofits.”

Department store look

Banners are going up this week announcing the business that should open in July.

Mountain Construction of Tacoma will renovate the old pharmacy for a department store look.

“It’s not your grandfather’s thrift store look,” Erlich said.

“Normally when people come in, they are surprised.”

Store features include a new look for books and juniors fashion departments along with usual housewares, electronics and men’s and women’s clothing.

Donation system

Goodwill is a donation site for gently used clothes and household items.

Sequim’s new store is operated by Goodwill of Tacoma, which serves 15 Washington counties.

It is one of four independently run Goodwill Industries in the state and about 160 nationwide.

All donations are local with a central warehouse in Tacoma where seasonal items such as winter jackets are held.

Recycle electronics

Goodwill is part of the Ecycle Washington campaign that allows people to drop off electronics – computers and peripherals such as mice, printers and keyboards – for a tax deduction.

Erlich said of every dollar Goodwill receives, more than 91 cents goes to its mission of changing lives by helping people with disabilities and disadvantages go to work.

Goodwill has helped Sequim residents through a senior community service employment program that provides job training for people 55 and older.

Back to work

“Generally, it’s for people who have been out of the work force and because of the hard economy have been forced to come back to work,” Erlich said.

The program started in August 2009 in Port Angeles.

“Goodwill provides the community with a variety of services and our stores are long-term investments,” said Jane Taylor, president of Goodwill’s board of directors.

“In these tough economic times, Goodwill can help families and be a place for people to get that first job or second chance.”

More information is online at www.tacomagoodwill.org.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.