Phoenixville Goodwill store launches specialty boutique
New concept aimed at millennial and Generation Z shoppers
PHOENIXVILLE » Goodwill Keystone Area has launched a specialty boutique within its Phoenixville store. The Specialty GKA boutique is designed to attract millennial and Generation Z shoppers who are “fashion-forward and price-conscious.”
The Phoenixville boutique at 700 Nutt Road, opened on Monday, July 27, and is the first specialty boutique in Goodwill Keystone Area’s 22-county service area, according to spokesman Mark McGaffin.
The 600-square-foot boutique is similar to the “shopin-shop” model found in department stores — where dedicated floor space if allotted to certain brands. All of Specialty GKA’s merchandise will be hand-selected from community donations and include clothing, shoes, accessories and other items for men and women. Styles range from boho-chic to grunge to high fashion, according to Goodwill.
“We have many millennial and Gen Z shoppers who are looking for specific brands but do not want to pay a lot of money at a high-end store,” Cathy McDonough, manager of the Goodwill Phoenixville store, said in a press release. “With Specialty GKA, they can now find a wide assortment of merchandise and enjoy great savings while lessening their impact on the environment, which is very important to this generation of shoppers.”
She added that the boutique shopping experience will also be different.
“Compared to traditional thrift shopping, Specialty GKA will have a different look and feel, offer more upscale merchandise and there will be less inventory to sort through making it easier to find items.”
Proceeds from the sale of items at Specialty GKA will support the organization’s mission to help people with disabilities and other barriers build skills, find jobs and grow careers, the agency said.
Specialty GKA is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
In response to the continuing coronavirus pandemic, Goodwill Keystone Area stores require face masks to be worn by shoppers unless covered by a medical exemption, physical distancing of six feet is encouraged and the stores are limiting occupancy in the stores. In addition, enhanced cleaning measure are being implemented, especially for high-traffic and high-touch area such as shopping carts.
Donation areas remain “no contact” and are self-service for the drop-off of clothing and housewares — there are no furniture donations, according to the release. In addition merchandise returns are not allowed.
Goodwill Keystone Area operates more than 40 Goodwill thrift stores and donation centers in 22 counties in central and southeastern Pennsylvania — including, Chester, Montgomery and Berks counties. As a nonprofit, 75 percent of revenue is generated from the sale of donated goods in its retail stores. For more information, visit yourgoodwill.org.