On Wednesday, May 13, Goodwill of North Georgia will reopen all of its stores. The shopping experience will be different as stores implement enhanced safety measures to protect public health.
The stores will operate on an adjusted schedule until further notice. They’ll be open from 10 AM – 6 PM, seven days a week and career centers will open from 10 AM – 5 PM Monday through Friday.
Goodwill donation centers will reopen on May 18 through a no-contact donation process.
Phased-in opening
This week’s reopenings are part of a phased reopening strategy that began earlier this month. On May 6, Goodwill of North Georgia reopened 21 of its 65 stores and four of its 13 career centers. Goodwill stores in Athens, Hartwell, Madison, and Winder are among those that have already reopened. The remaining stores, including those in Buford, Cornelia, Dawsonville, and Oakwood, will reopen on Wednesday.
“As we reopen the remaining locations in our territory, the health and safety of our team members, customers, donors, and jobseekers remains the highest priority,” says Goodwill of North Georgia president and chief executive officer Keith Parker. “Our mission to put people to work must continue as the state of Georgia experiences record job losses.”
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 23 Goodwill of North Georgia shut down all 130 of its stores, donation centers, and career centers. The organization says it did not order a single layoff, instead, employees stayed on conducting deep cleanings and sanitizing locations and merchandise. They used an eco-friendly misting process endorsed by federal health authorities, according to a news release.
A different shopping experience
Those returning to Goodwill locations can expect a different experience than what they’ve had in the past. Goodwill is following CDC guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Anyone that currently has a fever or has experienced any coronavirus symptoms in the previous 24 hours should refrain from entering a Goodwill facility. The organization also will strictly adhere to occupancy limits based on each location’s square footage. The number of guests will be monitored and staggered at each location.
Customers, jobseekers, and donors can expect the following new safety procedures:
- Store associates outfitted in personal protective equipment
- Guest ambassadors disinfecting cart handles after every use
- One-way traffic on each aisle to aid social distancing
- Plexiglass shields installed at open cash registers
- Contactless payment available to avoid touching credit card machines
- Frequent cleaning of “high touch” areas
- Employees regularly practicing good hygiene
- Temporary closure of fitting rooms
- Restricted used of restrooms to one guest at a time
- Temporary suspension of water fountain usage
- Temporary suspension on the sale of jewelry, sunglasses and other accessories
Fresh stock
Thanks to the generosity of the North Georgia community, thousands of new items are on the sales floor ready for the reopening. Each purchase helps to support the organization’s mission to put North Georgians to work.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Goodwill of North Georgia says it has helped more than 3,000 job seekers, providing skills training and working with various employers including Amazon, Kroger, and Publix to connect them with employment.
For more information, visit Goodwill of North Georgia online.
