Business & Tech

Goodwill Store Moving from East Side to Southampton

Going from its downtown location to Southampton Center means a bigger store and better selection for shoppers but could mean headaches for other tenants.

Goodwill Stores  at 425  Military East will close its doors in the next six months after its new retail operation in Southampton Center is up and running.

A Goodwill spokeswoman confirmed the move Wednesday, saying the organization began the search for a new space in early 2009 and found the 6,600-square-foot former Hollywood Video space about a year ago.

Reaction among retailers in the center is mixed.  Leona Edejer, manger at the Pet Food Express, has heard concerns. "Some people are worried folks will dump donations in the middle of the night, but we have a security guard so I don't think it'll be a problem," she said.

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"I think it will bring lots of traffic.  I'd rather have it full than empty," said Edejer, referring to the large space the store will occupy. 

Linda Tang of Unique Jewelry agreed.  "It's good. Very good," she said.  "It will bring lots of traffic."

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Others are less sure of the benefits of having a low-cost retailer that sells a wide variety of goods, including women's, men's and children's clothing,  housewares, appliances and furniture.

Gene Pedrotti, owner of Pedrotti Ace Hardware, has mixed feelings.  "I'm very supportive of Goodwill and the benefit they derive for their clients," he said. 

The issue in Pedrotti's view is functional. "That space has a small back door that isn't good for loading and unloading a lot of  boxes and merchandise. I don't know if the landlord has considered that. It's going to be a huge problem if they have big trucks parked in front of the store every day."

There's the competition aspect, too. "It's nothing against Goodwill, but they're going to take away some of my business," said Christine Mayall, owner of Bookshop Benicia. "We are all struggling greatly up here."

Stan Houston, who owns ABC Music Store and Academy, echoed those concerns. "Goodwill moving in here is going to create a competitive disadvantage for any store selling used merchandise," he said.  "I think my store and the bookstore will take the biggest hit."

Houston noted that the Bookstore Benicia sells  new and used books and that a large part of his business is selling used musical instruments.

On a more positive note, Houston and Mayall said that in this slow economy a Goodwill store might increase foot traffic.

Todd Bigelow, owner of Round Table Pizza, wasn't fazed by the news.  "I don't worry much about what the landlord does anymore," he said.  "I don't have any say in the matter, so, one way or another, it really doesn't matter what I think."

Asked what she thought of Goodwill moving in, Theresa Maricich, manager of Steve's Hallmark Store, said, "I have no reaction.  I have more opinions about the cigarette store than Goodwill." 

The sentiment about the tobacco store was expressed by most of the shopping center employees interviewed for this story.  They questioned the wisdom of putting a tobacco store so close to the middle school.

According to a press release sent by the owners,  Southampton Center, known to many residents as the Raley's shopping center, offers quick access to Interstate 780 and can be seen from the freeway.  The center's anchor tenant, Raley's, attracts more than 35,000 customer visits a week.

The Goodwill organization has served communities throughout the United States and North America for more than 100 years. Proceeds from sales at the Goodwill Store will support job training and placement programs for the disabled and people in need.

"We are pleased that Goodwill has chosen Southampton Center for its newest location," said Tom Kuehl, Weingarten Realty leasing executive. "As a shopping destination that attracts more than 35,000 customers a week, we expect that the Goodwill store will generate revenues that will have a significant impact on fund raising for training and job-placement services."

Amalia Lorentz, economic development director for the city said there is some interest in the Military East site being vacated by Goodwill.  "There's one person who's been out there looking," she said.  "It's a tough retail space."

Asked about the move by Goodwill, Lorentz said, "I think it's good to fill vacancies."


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