Goodwill Opens Flagship Store Thursday

BRADENTON – If you've driven on U.S. 301 and passed the intersection at SR 70 anytime in recent months, you've undoubtedly noticed a major construction project just north of the Walmart Supercenter. The new building will house Goodwill Manasota's newest (and largest) Manatee County location set to open Thursday at 9 a.m. Suffice it to say, it will not be your typical Goodwill location.

The 35,866-square-foot retail store is similar to the company's newest location in Sarasota, a freestanding 30,000 sq ft store on the North Tamiami trail south of University, which opened in February of last year. That site marked a major shift in Goodwill Manasota from small and modest locations in older plazas to new, state-of-the-art, stand-alone buildings.

The new store, located at 2715 51st Ave. E. in Bradenton, will feature a boutique section, as well as a “treasure island” to showcase featured items. There will also be a 24-hour drive-thru donation center.

“We are excited to solidify Goodwill’s presence in Manatee County,” said Bob Rosinsky, president & CEO of Goodwill Manasota in a release announcing the opening. “Shoppers who frequented the DeSoto Junction store will be greeted by the same familiar faces of the employees who embody what Goodwill is all about.”

The retail store is just the first part of what will ultimately become their corporate center headquarters, all of which is housed on a nine-acre site at the northeast corner of 51st Avenue East and U.S. 301 in Manatee County.

The campus will feature a variety of eco-friendly initiatives, including electric car charging stations, a bike and scooter parking area and SCAT and MCAT transit stations. The store will be open daily Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Goodwill’s successes are reflected by the impact we have on the community, the people we serve and the lives we change,” said Rosinsky. “When people donate and shop at Goodwill, they are helping us create jobs, and facilitating a stronger economy. The opening of our newest retail store further reinforces our mission to serve and better our community.”

The new location replaces the DeSoto Junction store, which closed July 5. The company says that 42 team members from that location were transferred to the new one, while an additional 27 new employees were also hired.

There will be a separate grand opening for the corporate campus, including administrative offices, in October.