Sellers said they hope to begin construction in the spring and open the store in fall of 2010.
The Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley is centered around Dayton but operates 23 retail outlets in more than 20 counties and served 9,200 people in 2008, Sellers said.
Lebanon has not had a Goodwill since 2007 when a store operated by Goodwill Ohio Valley, centered in Cincinnati, closed its downtown store and announced plans to build a new facility along Ohio 123 on the east side of town. That store has been under construction for more than a year and while a finished exterior is visible from the road, the store has yet to open.
Sharon Hannon, marketing specialist for the Goodwill Ohio Valley, said the store has encountered some “construction related issues” but the store would be open in spring of 2010. That store will be approximately 15,000 square feet and include a retail section, a donation drive through and work training program.
Goodwill’s mission is to assist handicap individuals, most commonly through providing jobs in retail stores that sell gently used goods at a discount price. Goodwill also provides outreach services to individuals with severe disabilities through its adult day support program.
Sellers said that she did not feel having two Goodwill stores within five miles of one another would oversaturate the market or be redundant. She said her organization operated two stores in the Kettering market within two miles of one another and also said a Goodwill and Salvation Army store operate in Centerville without issue.
“We feel confident the community will have the ability to support two stores,” Sellers said.
Hannon concurred that a Goodwill turf war will not erupt in town.
“We have been a long time partner with Lebanon,” Hannon said. “We hope it will just enhance our long standing relationship. All Goodwills work together to serve the needs of the community.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.
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