Goodwill Opens Store and Adds Jobs

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – A former grocery store in Southeast Cleveland has been given new life as Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area officially opened its newest location Thursday.

The new store, located at 2010 Broomfield Road SE in the former Fresh ‘N Low building, includes a Goodwill retail store, a Donation Xpress Center and dedicated space for a future Goodwill Opportunity Center. 

The more than 15,000-square-foot facility created 20 new jobs and expands Goodwill’s presence in Bradley County.

Community members began lining up before the doors opened, with crowds stretching deep into the parking lot as the Bradley County Chamber of Commerce joined Goodwill representatives for a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Among the first shoppers through the doors was Calvary Cameron, who said he was impressed not only by what he found inside, but by the atmosphere created by employees.

“I was just trying to find me a good pair of sweatpants and I did find that actually and I felt like it was just like good energy coming through,” Cameron said. “I feel like all the employees did a good job about that.”

The strong turnout did not surprise Goodwill leaders, who said the community’s response reflected years of support for the nonprofit’s mission.

“I have to live in the town and I had no doubt people would show up and man did they ever show up,” said Jim Staley, Chief Operating Officer for Goodwill Industries of Greater Chattanooga. “About 7:30 we probably had 30 or 40 people in line. By the time we opened up it wrapped all the way back to the street. It’s been nothing but excitement. People are in the store finding great finds and we are so excited because we get to invest this back in the community with services.”

Revenue generated through Goodwill stores helps fund programs designed to assist people facing barriers to employment. The organization operates stores and workforce development services across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.

Transforming the former grocery store into a new Goodwill location took months of work. Construction crews spent their final hours preparing the site for opening day.

“Being in construction I guess the reward is seeing the end product and seeing how it looks,” said Mike Bosinger, owner of Main Street Builders and a construction partner on the project. “We’re very detail oriented. Everything’s in the finish and so we were out here till late last night, last minute, blowing down the parking lot and pressure washing and detailing on the inside of the store.”

Once the doors opened, shoppers quickly spread throughout the building searching for bargains.

“I was expecting a lot of people but not this many,” said Mia Mencias, who visited the store with Kaden Roberts. “It was a lot, which is good.”

Roberts said navigating the crowds became part of the experience.

“Once we walked in we had to decide, like, OK, we’re going here, here, here,” Roberts said. “You kinda like weave through people and everything, but it’s been a lot of fun for sure. I mean there’s a lot of stuff and everything.”

While Thursday’s grand opening focused on shopping and donations, Goodwill says the location’s long-term impact will extend beyond retail. 

The building includes space for a future Goodwill Opportunity Center, where community members will be able to access free career search services, employment readiness assistance and workforce development resources.

The organization’s existing Cleveland store on Paul Huff Parkway will remain open, bringing Goodwill’s regional footprint to 17 stores across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.