This Goodwill thrift store in Fresno finally reopened in a new spot, after being closed

The Goodwill thrift shop in southeast Fresno has reopened in a new spot after being closed for eight months.

The store opened quietly Wednesday afternoon in a bigger location at the corner of Kings Canyon Road and Clovis Avenue. It’s next to dd’s DISCOUNTS, in the same shopping center as FoodMaxx.

The store has everything most Goodwill resale shops do – gently used clothing for women, men and children, along with kitchen and other household items, handbags, shoes, books and more.

The store is still getting on its feet, so hours are limited and prices aren’t posted yet – though that will change soon.

Most items cost $4.99 (like tops) or $4.49.

For now, the store is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

The new store is about 20% bigger than the old Goodwill down the street that closed.

The new location also has an improved donation process. People can drive behind the store to drop off donations.

Before, the store had a trailer in the parking lot that accepted donations.

“Now we can take donations directly at the back of the store. … We can actually take furniture, which we couldn’t do at the older location,” said Denise Ost, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of San Joaquin Valley, Inc.

Why did the old Goodwill close?

For years, Goodwill’s store was down the street at Kings Canyon Road and Peach Avenue. Its lease expired and Goodwill hoped to rent it on a month-to-month basis, but the landlord said there was another tenant waiting for the space, Ost said.

Goodwill found a new location before it closed. But other delays piled up: getting a permit from the city, finding construction materials, installing internet and power, and contractors dealing with labor shortages, Ost noted.

“There are just really long wait times right now for service and materials,” she said. “It’s not unique to Goodwill. We’re just all struggling.”

Other Goodwill locations remain open on West Shaw Avenue and North Blackstone Avenue, and in Clovis.

The Madera store is gearing up to move to a larger location at 1329 Country Club Drive in about a month. It will add eight jobs.

Goodwill jobs available

Since the southeast Fresno store is bigger, it takes more employees to staff it. The shop is hiring for 12 more positions, ranging from entry level to supervisory.

Jobs are the main part of Goodwill’s mission. It hires workers who have barriers to employment, like people who are getting off public assistance, or people with low education levels, criminal backgrounds or disabilities.

Job seekers who want to apply can fill out an interest form near the cash register. They will either get an on-the-spot interview or a call back within 48 hours.

When the store is has a bigger staff, it will be open longer hours.

Details: Goodwill is at 5663 E. Kings Canyon Road.