For thrift shoppers, the Goodwill Outlet in Romeoville is must see

Goodwill Industries has opened its first outlet in the greater Chicago area in Romeoville.

“The opening of our first Goodwill Outlet in the metropolitan Chicago area and the addition of a second affordable shopping option in Romeoville is our commitment in action to deepen our impact in the communities we serve,” said Dan Michael, vice president of retail stores and donation centers at Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago.

The outlet, located at 1343 Enterprise Drive in Romeoville, opened Nov. 15.

“We are proud to enhance the quality of life for our neighbors through meaningful work and essential job-readiness training, placement and support services,” Michael said in a news release announcing the store opening.

“We are thrilled that Goodwill chose Romeoville to open their first outlet in the Chicagoland area,” Romeoville Mayor John Noak said in the release. “This new facility provides a unique shopping opportunity that will bring consumers from all over. We also benefit from the jobs and repurposing of items that Goodwill makes possible.”

The merchandise carried resembles that found in traditional Goodwill Store & Donation Centers, and all purchases continue to support Goodwill’s mission of connecting people to work and preparing people for life.

However, the shopping experience is different.

Most merchandise consists of unsold items from traditional Goodwill Store & Donation Centers, giving donations one last opportunity to be sold at bargain prices, with items priced by the pound, according to the release.

Shoppers will discover a wide variety of inventory, including clothing, textiles, shoes, purses, home goods, books, albums, toys, games, glassware and electronics, according to the release.

More than 160 large rolling tables are on the sales floor at a time, filled with merchandise for shoppers to browse through.

Tables are rotated throughout the day to provide fresh goods. All items are sold “as is,” and all sales are final, according to Goodwill. A testing station also is available for shoppers to check electronics before making a purchase.

The Romeoville Goodwill Outlet is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Donations are not accepted at Goodwill Outlet locations and can be taken to surrounding Goodwill Store & Donation Centers.