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Goodwill opens new SuperStore on Memorial Drive

Goodwill President Steve Mundahl (left) and members of the City Council and Goodwill Board of Directors look on as Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonette cuts the ribbon to open the new Goodwill SuperStore on Memorial Drive. Reminder Publications photo by Debbie Gardner
By Debbie Gardner

PRIME Editor



CHICOPEE Brandishing five-dollar discount cards, Goodwill President Steve Mundahl warmed up the crowd of about 100 earlybird shoppers at last Friday's grand opening of the new Goodwill Super Store at 1604 Memorial Dr.

As the crowd waited for the 9 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony, he asked people to call out where they had come from and who was the oldest. A woman from Belchertown and an 87-year-old man got the extra savings.

"We appreciate you coming," he told the crowd.

Flanked by Mundahl and members of the City Council and Goodwill Board of Directors, Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette officially opened the second Goodwill location in his city a few minutes after nine.

"I just took a look inside and there are lots of great bargains," Bisonette told the crowd just prior to snipping the ribbon.

"We're all stuck in the same economic cesspool [and] this can help us out in the next few months and help our neighbors out at the same time," he added, referring to Goodwill's mission of providing employment opportunities and training to people with disabilities.

As the crowd filed in, Bissonnette told the Herald that he's shopped the other Goodwill location on Front Street, often accompanied by his 93-year-old father.

"At one point I found five Tommy Hilfiger golf shirts with the tags still on them from Macy's," he said. "They were brand new. Instead of paying $70, they were $4 each.

"[Goodwill] is a retail opportunity people may want to take advantage of as an alternative in this tough economy," he added.

Mundahl said Goodwill had its eye on the Memorial Drive location for some time, but the lease arrangements with former tenant CVS caused a delay in their plans.

The location became available earlier this year.

"The landlord, Prospect Enterprises, did an amazing job getting the floors and walls ready for us," Julie Bormall, vice president of Goodwill, said.

Mundahl said the lighter, brighter layout of the Chicopee SuperStore reflects Goodwill's move away from a thrift store look toward a discount shopping model.

"It's a good time for a Goodwill store like this. Clothes are cheaper than Wal-Mart or KMart," he said.

Opening-day shopper Lorraine Teschke of Chicopee said she liked the new layout.

"It's big, they have room and they have a lot of variety in this store," said the avid bargain shopper who also frequents the Front Street Goodwill.

Dennis Girard of Ludlow said he was drawn to the new Goodwill store by the lure of bargain shopping.

"You never know what you're going to find," he said.

The Goodwill SuperStore, which added 13 jobs to the Chicopee economy, is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Goodwill will accept donations at this location.

"This store is awesome!" said a package-laden customer as she headed to the parking lot.