Goodwill Boutique Opens in Fort Myers River District

April 12, 2013 - PRLog -- A crowd of nearly 100 people was gathered outside the new Goodwill® Boutique on First by the time the store opened its doors for the first time at 9:00 a.m. Friday, April 12.  Some had arrived as early as 7:30 to get their first shot at the Boutique’s gently-used designer labels.

Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson cut the ribbon on Goodwill’s first boutique in Southwest Florida, located at 2401 First Street in the Fort Myers River District. The store saw a steady stream of customers after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“When we opened, the handbags were flying off the shelves,” says Kirsten O’Donnell, Goodwill’s director of public relations.  “Our team was scrambling to re-stock the shelves and re-dress mannequins all day.”

In addition to designer purses, the store also sells gently-used women’s and men’s clothing and shoes, along with collectibles and some children’s items.  By 2:00 p.m. on opening day, the store had already sold more than $11,000 worth of merchandise to more than 340 customers.

“Our first day has been wildly successful,” says Robert Randall, Goodwill’s vice president of retail operations.  “The community has been incredibly supportive of our move into the River District, and they really showed us that today.”

The Boutique on First is Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida’s 27th retail store in the agency’s service area, which covers Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades Counties. Other specialty Goodwill shops include bookstores in Fort Myers and Naples.

Revenue generated from the sale of donated goods at Goodwill’s retail stores supports mission-based programs and services for people with disabilities and disadvantages.  Programs include

Job-Link centers, income-sensitive housing for senior citizens and people with disabilities, the SWFL MicroEnterprise institute, the L.I.F.E. Academy charter school, and others.  For store locations and more information about Goodwill’s mission, visit http://www.goodwillswfl.org.