(PHOTO BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
SECONDHAND CELEBRATION … Staff from the new Swanton location of Goodwill, joined by regional Goodwill employees, Mayor Neil Toeppe, and Lucas County Commissioner Lisa Sobecki, cut a ribbon Tuesday to celebrate its recent opening.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
Members of the Swanton Goodwill staff along with regional staff, local government officials, and chamber of commerce representatives gathered Tuesday morning to hold a ribbon cutting for the new store.
Located in the former Family Dollar property at 135 E. Airport Highway, the 7,000-foot store is the 15th Goodwill location in the northwest Ohio region.
“This story isn’t just about shopping, it’s about changing lives,” Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio Board of Directors Chairperson Julie Sanderson said.
“Every donation, every purchase helps fund Goodwill’s mission to transform lives through the power of work by providing job training, employment support, and pathways to independence for people right here in northwest Ohio.”
Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio Vice President of Retail Tim Kralovic said opening the Swanton store was a labor of love that started in January.
“It’s been quite the process – many hiccups, many hurdles to overcome. But we did it all and we’re happy to be here,” Kralovic said.
Mayor Neil Toeppe and Lucas County Commissioner Lisa Sobecki each congratulated the business, with Toeppe also thanking them for providing another retail shopping opportunity in the village.
According to information from the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce, the new location is expected to create between 15 and 20 jobs, serve 150 or more shoppers each day, and collect donations from 40 to 50 people each day.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.