Fashion Forward: Goodwill

WSVN--A designer gown...Shoes in practically every color... And plenty of housewares.

This may look like your traditional department store, but it's not.

It's a thrift store, where you'll find items at a deep discount price.

Lourdes Little: "Goodwill industries really pioneered the concept of thrift shops over 100 years ago, and what we'd like to think at the turn of this century, we're raising the bar once again."

At the company's newest superstore on Southwest 8th Street in Allapattah, shoppers are in for a surprise.

Goodwill is changing its image.

Here you'll find brighter stores, better displays and even a designer department with plenty of popular brand names.

Lourdes Little: "You look through our racks and you'll find surprises all day long."

Manny Lopez: "I've come across items from Tommy, Calvin Klein, to Donna Karen and Gucci this morning."

If you look hard enough, you may find a hidden treasure...

Like this Lillie Rubin beaded ball gown for 35 dollars.

Or this Bebe dress for just 8 dollars.

All of the clothes are donated and then sorted.

Those in good condition are then put on display.

Manny Lopez: "We do have a lot of donations that are brand new, still has the tag, and we have what's current in fashion right now. We have the silks, we have the sequins, every fashionable garment you can think of."

Besides being affordable, most of the money from every purchase goes back towards fulfilling the charity's mission.

Lourdes Little: "As a result what we do with that money is that we provide training and employment for people with disabilities. Basically teach them how to work so we can then transition them and put them into competitive employment."

So whether you're picking out a purse for 3 dollars or a suit for 4 dollars, at goodwill, there's plenty of selection... Plus, you won't have to worry about someone else wearing what you've picked out.

Manny Lopez: "It's one of a kind, you won't find it, you won't find it somewhere else."

Lourdes little: "It really is a win win for everybody. You're coming here, you're finding unique outfits that you can rest assured no one else will have."

Shireen Sandoval: "Last year goodwill helped train and employ more than 3 thousand people with disabilities in South Florida. If you would like more information about store locations or where you can donate, log onto our website at wsvn.com. In the newsplex, Shireen Sandoval, Seven News."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact: iamor@wsvn.com

Goodwill Industries
www.goodwillmiami.org
Goodwill Industries Superstore Central Miami-Dade
305-545-9421
2125 NW 21 Street
Allapattah, FL