Goodwill Industries Opens Its First LEED Certified Retail Store
12/09/2009
Grand Rapids, MI – Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc. will open its first LEED Certified retail store in Standale on Saturday, December 12 at 9:00 a.m. This marks the first Goodwill Store in Michigan and the second retail store in Michigan to be LEED Certified.
“We evaluated the demographics and influence of our customers when creating the new design of the Standale Goodwill Store,” said Vice President of Community Relations Jill Wallace. “Focus groups led to ideas of appealing to college and young adult shoppers which were prevalent in this community.”
The Standale Goodwill Store features a one-of-a-kind contemporary design while following Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) commissioned components. Guidelines were followed in building products, energy usage, water usage, and more to earn the certification.
“In addition to the LEED Certification, this Goodwill Store features the every-day shopping experience that our customers enjoy,” said Wallace. The Standale Store, located at 4696 Lake Michigan Drive, is the 14th Goodwill retail store to open in the greater Grand Rapids community.
Proceeds from Goodwill Stores help fund employment and placement programs for individuals with barriers to employment.
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About Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids.
Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives through the power of work. Since 1966, the organization has offered a wide range of employment and training programs free of charge to assist those with disabilities and other barriers to employment in developing their marketable skills in order to find meaningful employment. Its efforts are supported by revenues from its 14 retail stores in an eight-county area, as well as from monetary donations. For more information, visit www.goodwillgr.org
