Goodwill adds to Cordova thrift scene

Got $20 in your pocket? Then pop some tags

Goodwill Industries opened its third donation center Friday in Cordova, in the Appling Place shopping center near Appling Road and Dexter Road.

Dave Leutwyler, Memphis Goodwill’s executive vice president, said the 1,400-square-feet donation center will be attended seven days a week so people can donate without exiting their vehicles.

There aren’t any Good- will retail stores in Cordova, but Leutwyler said donation centers are just as important.

“Donations are the funding source for what we do,” he said. “About 95 percent of our funding comes from donations.”

For-profit stores have also descended on the area. As more businesses spring up around the Wolfchase Galleria, the shopping variety has increased from small boutiques and specialty shops to resale, consignment and thrift.

Mike Thorn, owner of resale franchise store Clothes Mentor, opened his retail space March 20 in a shopping center near Germantown Parkway and Dexter Road.

There were several places in the Memphis area Thorn’s parent company targeted, but Cordova was his top choice. The store purchases gently used women’s clothes and accessories and sells them at 30 percent of its retail value.

“I chose Cordova for the proximity to Wolfchase,” said Thorn, of Collierville. “Cordova was perfect because you have access to all levels of individuals.”

In the past month, the business has brought in more than $100,000 in sales. He said Clothes Mentor offers cash for items on the spot instead of providing tax write-offs or making the customer wait until after their items are sold.

“That’s paper money, but this is hard money in your hand that you can go pay your light bill with or buy groceries or buy new clothes,” he said.

Amy Pantlik, Fashion Exchange sales associate, said the consignment store in the Trinity Commons shopping center will begin carrying men’s clothing April 28.

“A lot of people ask for it,” she said about why the store, which started out as Kids Exchange, is making its second variety expansion in 10 years. “There aren’t any men’s resale stores. You can go to Goodwill and get men’s clothes, but that’s about it. There really is a need for it.”

Other stores, such as Once Upon a Child, Helping People God’s Way Thrift and Plato’s Closet, have found areas within Cordova to settle. Leutwyler said Goodwill executives hope to find a retail space in the area soon.

“I want a store in Cordova very bad,” Leutwyler said. “There’s a large population that is not served in Cordova. This is a very densely populated community and we don’t have a retail presence and we think there’s a great opportunity for that.

“Honestly there aren’t many options. You drive up and down Germantown Parkway and there are a lot of buildings, but they’re full. We haven’t given up, though. We’ll find one, one day.”