Phased approach Prioritizes Employee, Shopper and Donor Safety with New Procedures

DECATUR, Ga (May 3, 2020) – On Wednesday, May 6, Goodwill of North Georgia will begin reopening select stores and career centers.  With the health and safety of employees and guests as the highest priority, locations will feature new safety measures and reopen on a rolling schedule.

“The health and safety of our team members, customers, donors and jobseekers remains our highest priority as we carefully reopen our locations through a phased approach. As such, we have amended our processes and procedures to provide safe environments and remain in compliance with all applicable laws and safety guidelines” said Keith Parker, Goodwill of North Georgia president and chief executive officer.  “Our mission to put people to work is more essential than ever as the state of Georgia experiences record job losses.”

The following stores and co-located career centers will open on May 6 as part of the organization’s rolling reopening schedule:

  1. Athens Store 
  2. Bells Ferry Store 
  3. Calhoun Store 
  4. Canton Store 
  5. Cartersville Store & Career Center 
  6. Centerville Store 
  7. Covington Store 
  8. Cumming Store 
  9. East Athens Store & Career Center 
  10. Hartwell Store 
  11. Hickory Flat Store 
  12. Kennesaw Store  
  13. Lawrenceville Store  
  14. Loganville Store 
  15. Madison Store 
  16. Rome Store & Career Center 
  17. Shallowford Store 
  18. Snellville Store 
  19. Stone Mountain Store 
  20. Winder Store 
  21. Woodstock Store & Career Center

Adjusted hours have been set until further notice: Stores will be open from 10 AM – 6 PM, seven days a week and career centers will open from 10 AM – 5 PM Monday through Friday. 

The organization has responded to the pandemic with enhanced safety measures. Facility closures began March 23, and Goodwill of North Georgia’s 100-plus locations have remained closed without a single layoff. During location closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Goodwill of North Georgia teams conducted deep cleanings and sanitized locations and merchandise using a proven, eco-friendly misting process endorsed by federal health authorities.

Per the state of Georgia guidelines, anyone that currently has a fever or cough or has experienced either symptom in the previous 24 hours should refrain from entering a Goodwill of North Georgia location. The organization will also strictly adhere to occupancy limits based on each location’s square footage. The number of guests will be monitored and staggered at each location. 

Customers, jobseekers and donors visit can expect the following, new safety procedures: 

  • Store associates outfitted in protective gear    
  • Guest ambassadors disinfecting cart handles after every use 
  • One-way traffic on each aisle to aid social distancing 
  • Plexi-glass shields installed at open cash registers 
  • Contactless payment available to avoid touching credit card machines 
  • Frequent cleaning of “high touch” areas    
  • Employees regularly practicing good hygiene 
  • Temporary closure of fitting rooms  
  • Restricted used of restrooms to one guest at a time 
  • Temporary suspension of water fountain usage 
  • Temporary suspension on the sale of jewelry, sunglasses and other accessories  

Thanks to the generosity of the North Georgia community, thousands of new items are on the sales floor ready for the reopening. Each purchase helps to support the organization’s mission to put North Georgians to work.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Goodwill of North Georgia has helped more than 3,000 jobseekers, providing skills training and working with various employers including Amazon, Kroger and Publix to connect them with employment.

For the latest information on Goodwill of North Georgia’s pandemic response and reopening dates, visit goodwillng.org/coronavirus-response.

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About Goodwill of North Georgia

The mission of Goodwill of North Georgia is to put people to work. The nonprofit has provided services in the region for more than 90 years. In fiscal year 2019, Goodwill of North Georgia provided job training and employment services to 51,915 people and helped 25,688 people find jobs or start new businesses. The organization currently operates 65 stores, 52 attended donation centers and 13 career centers. Revenues generated from Goodwill’s retail program help fund job training and placement programs. For more information about Goodwill of North Georgia, visit GoodwillNG.org.