Most people have heard of Goodwill, and many have donated items of all shapes and sizes to this popular charitable organization. I have donated countless items to Goodwill, but until recently, I didn’t shop at the Goodwill store. It wasn’t because I considered myself too good to buy used items. I loved garage sales, and I had visited Goodwill stores in northeast Indiana, but I was never impressed. Despite trying to find clothes and other items I could use, I never found anything I wanted. Also, I thought the store had an unusual odor that I couldn’t tolerate.
One particular Goodwill store smelled like laundry detergent, fabric softener, and sweaty old shoes. The clothing and other items emitted an odor that smelled like they had been in storage. Upon entering the store I immediately formed an opinion, and because of my experiences in northeast Indiana, it wasn’t a good opinion. I never thought I’d shop at Goodwill again – until I visited the Goodwill store in Valparaiso Indiana on the other side of the state. It was then I completely changed my mind.
New Items
Upon entering the Goodwill store in Valparaiso Indiana I noticed it smelled like a regular store. I didn’t notice the characteristic smell of the stores I had visited elsewhere, but I did notice a large rack of new socks. They immediately caught my eye, and I chose a few pairs of colorful socks embellished with characters for my daughter. I was surprised to find brand new socks, and I was anxious to continue shopping at this Goodwill store in Valparaiso Indiana. I noticed many new items, and the prices were really quite reasonable.
I love knickknacks, and the walls at the Goodwill store in Valparaiso Indiana were lined with knickknacks galore. I could have spent an hour combing through the shelves filled with glassware, wooden items, dishes, and other miscellaneous items that didn’t belong anywhere else. It was a very well organized collection of items, and this Valparaiso Indiana store was much more impressive than any other Goodwill store I had ever visited.
After passing by the knickknacks I immediately noticed racks of children’s clothing. My daughter needed a lightweight jacket, and a pretty pink coat caught my eye. I found a very nice windbreaker that was two shades of pink, and it looked like new. It probably cost at least $15.00 when it was actually new, and it was priced at a mere $3.00. That was my next great find after the socks, but I wasn’t finished at this Valparaiso Indiana store.
Across from the jackets were racks of t-shirts – hundreds of t-shirts in all colors and sizes. My son practically lives in t-shirts, and I was certain I could find something he would like. I found a Green Day t-shirt, and a Union Bay t-shirt embellished with metallic guitars. They were each $3.00, and a great buy considering the shirts he usually chose were at least $10.00 each.
As I made my way to the other side of the Goodwill store in Valparaiso Indiana, I noticed my husband looking at a rack of men’s jeans. He found one pair in his size, and they were his usual brand. He was thrilled since they were in very good condition, but I was a little disappointed that more jeans weren’t available. I’m guessing that adult jeans are more difficult to find since adults usually wear things until they’re either out of style or worn beyond use.
I didn’t realize Goodwill stores offered bottles of household cleaners and laundry products, and I was surprised to see a few large shelves filled with bottles of my usual laundry detergent at the Goodwill store in Valparaiso Indiana. The prices were below retail, and I took advantage of this fantastic find as I made my way to the cash register.
I’ll Be Back!
After visiting the Goodwill store in Valparaiso Indiana I’ve decided I’ll definitely go back. Apparently not all Goodwill stores are alike, and the Goodwill store in Valparaiso Indiana was very impressive. I plan on visiting my local Goodwill store again in the very near future. Hopefully I’ll find a winter coat for my son, and who knows what else I’ll find. I can’t wait to see the new items the Goodwill store in Valparaiso Indiana has to offer!
