Goodwill Opening 2 Renovated Stores

Goodwill Industries of Southern California will open two stores replacing older facilities today, including an expanded building on Lankershim Boulevard.

The North Hollywood store, at 5855 Lankershim Blvd. between Oxnard and Burbank boulevards, is “a little more modern and upscale” than its predecessor on Laurel Canyon Boulevard, said Goodwill spokesman Richard Guiss.

On hand to cut the ribbon at 9 a.m. will be state Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar) as well as representatives sent by other area politicians.

The 11,000-square-foot store will be taken up mostly by retail space, but also will have a production area where workers will process donations of clothing and household goods. Previously, the processing was done at one central Goodwill facility.

“These stores represent the new, modern shopping experience for our customers,” said Tracy Powers, Goodwill’s vice president of retail sales.

Today’s opening of the San Fernando Valley location, as well as that of an 8,600-square-foot site in West Los Angeles, are part of the private, nonprofit organization’s five-year strategic plan. Founded in 1919, Goodwill seeks to help people with disabilities and other disadvantages by connecting them with education, training and job opportunities.

“A key goal of the plan is to provide employment for our clients in the communities where they live,” said Doug Barr, Goodwill’s president and chief executive officer.

“By shifting production from our main plant to the stores, we can provide community-based employment positions for our clients.”