Goodwill cuts ribbon on south Parkersburg Prosperity Center and Thrift Shop | News,

Supporters and customers gather outside the new Goodwill Industries Prosperity Center and Thrift Shop at 2825 Pike St., Parkersburg, before the Thursday morning ribbon-cutting and opening. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG — Multiple Goodwill and Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley representatives turned out for a ribbon-cutting at the new Goodwill Industries Prosperity Center and Thrift Shop in south Parkersburg Thursday morning.

They were outnumbered by customers lining up to get into the store.

“We have been looking at this store for a while, driving past it,” said Elizabeth resident Patricia Burns as she browsed the aisles.

Burns said she always finds a good deal at Goodwill and had already spotted “too many good things” Thursday. She was one of more than 100 people through the doors in the minutes after they officially opened at 9 a.m.

But the retail space is only half the story.

In the area for work the last few days, Beckley resident Lisa Richardson stopped to check out the new Goodwill in south Parkersburg before heading home Thursday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Proceeds from sales of donated items like clothing, housewares, toys, books and DVDs support programs designed to help people enter or reenter the workforce, said Megan Diehl, director of marketing and communications for Goodwill Industries of the Kanawha Valley. The Prosperity Center portion of the building includes classrooms and conference rooms where that work can be done.

“We assist those with employment barriers to participate in their community,” Diehl said.

The new facility also is providing jobs, with about 50 people employed, she said.

Wood County is the northernmost of 20 West Virginia counties served by Goodwill Industries of the Kanawha Valley. They have 15 retail sites, including this one, which joins the Vienna store as the second in Wood County.

With so many dining and shopping options, the new location is convenient for people whether they’re hunting for bargains or seeking assistance, she said.

Customers check out the new Goodwill Industries Prosperity Center and Thrift Shop at 2825 Pike St., Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“The south Parkersburg area, especially this area, has a great retail footprint,” Diehl said.

Diehl said the community has been very supportive, and Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Jill Parsons said Goodwill has been a great partner.

“We’re delighted to see their investment they made to bring another location into the area,” Parsons said.

Evan Bevins can be reached at [email protected].

Kassia Lilly, vice president of operations for Goodwill Industries of the Kanawha Valley, cuts a ribbon held by Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley President/CEO Jill Parsons, right, Thursday at the new Goodwill Industries Prosperity Center and Thrift Shop at 2825 Pike St., Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

A computer lab is shown at the Goodwill Industries Prosperity Center and Thrift Shop at 2825 Pike St., Parkersburg. In addition to the retail store, the new location includes space for job-training programs. (Photo by Evan Bevins)