Goodwill of the Finger Lakes in Ithaca is now open. Last Friday, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, several dignitaries and community leaders gathered alongside Goodwill officials and team members to celebrate the grand opening and officially welcome Goodwill to the Ithaca community. The 15,000-square-foot thrift store, which marks Goodwill’s 13th retail location in the Finger Lakes region and its first in Tompkins County, occupies the former Ollie’s Bargain Outlet at 723 South Meadow Street.
“When you donate or shop at Goodwill, you are giving things a second life and embracing value, versatility, and sustainability in every purchase,” Goodwill of the Finger Lakes President & CEO Jennifer Lake said. “Following Earth Day, our arrival in Ithaca is timely and exciting as we recognize the sustainable impact of shopping secondhand and our commitment to elevating people, community, and the planet. We’d like to sincerely thank the Ithaca community for the warm welcome and are excited for the ability to collaborate with other local reuse organizations to aggregate materials for remanufacturing and recycling as part of our role leading the Goodwill Northeast Circularity Hub. We look forward to having a presence here for many years to come.”
“I am proud to welcome Goodwill of the Finger Lakes to Ithaca and to see their commitment to advancing a circular economy in our region,” Assemblymember Anna Kelles said. “The constant production of new clothing and household goods, which often relies on exploited labor, is a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions and landfill waste. By donating or shopping at Goodwill, our neighbors are taking a meaningful step toward reducing that impact, keeping reusable items in circulation and increasing access to affordable essentials for individuals and families. Ithaca has long been a leader in waste reduction and reuse and the addition of Goodwill strengthens that legacy. I look forward to seeing how this new partnership contributes to our broader goal of environmental sustainability, economic resilience and community wellbeing and of course, having a new local spot to discover hidden treasures!”
Headquartered in Rochester, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes operates an expansive retail and donation network, serving more than 20 counties across upstate New York from Greater Rochester to Syracuse.
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