Goodwill Keystone Area held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the remodel of its long-standing Allentown store and donation center located at the Tilghman Square Shopping Center.

The facility has undergone several enhancements to provide an inviting atmosphere for shoppers and donors. The in-store experience includes refreshed branding, new fixtures and displays, new customer bathrooms and improved traffic flow. For employees, the backroom production area has been expanded to allow staff to process a higher volume of donations while ensuring safety. Additionally, a new office and employee breakroom was constructed.

The remodel also creates an improved experience for Goodwill’s donors. A new loading area provides better donor service and includes a canopy to offer protection from the elements.

“Goodwill has operated at this location since the late 1990s, which is a testament to the incredible support from the Allentown-area community,” Goodwill Keystone Area Chief Retail Operations Officer Andrew Gackenbach said. “We’re excited to offer an improved donor and shopping experience, and look forward to increased production resulting from changes to our back-of-shop operations."

Gackenbach noted that proceeds from the sale of donated items at Goodwill’s retail stores support the organization’s mission to advance sustainability so that individuals and families can thrive and flourish. Goodwill is fulfilling its mission in Lehigh County through:

•    Employment Services – Helping people with barriers to employment locate, obtain and maintain work;
•    Benefits Counseling – Guiding individuals in understanding how earnings may impact their cash and health insurance benefits, and what work incentives they may be able to use; 
•    Community Service Hours – Finding locations, including the Goodwill Tilghman store, where individuals who are court-ordered can complete community service hours; and
•    Youth Services – Assisting youth with disabilities in preparing for the world of work through job shadowing, curriculum-based group services, paid work experiences and community work instruction.

Those attending today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony included U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, state Rep. Michael Schlossberg, Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong, representatives from U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr.’s and state Sen. Jarrett Coleman’s offices, and Goodwill leaders and store staff.