If you love finding unique, affordable home decor and furniture, you won’t want to miss this special shopping event from Home by Goodwill! Inventory is limited, and once items are gone, they’re gone – so arriving early is highly encouraged.

“When I walked down the aisle, he said, ‘Yep, that’s definitely you.’” 

Shay Pauling is now enjoying life as a wife, but last March she was planning her November 2025 nuptials and had not yet found her dress. 

“I’m not picky,” she laughed. “If I found something for $500 or $600, I wasn’t going to complain at all. I just knew Goodwill would have something for me.”

Shay first heard about the event from her friend Laura, who had attended the year before and encouraged her to try the sale to find a dream dress at an affordable price. With her friend in tow, she woke up early for the one-day event and was eighth in line. 

While Goodwill is not a bridal boutique, the nonprofit understands how monumental this moment is for brides and works to make the event feel special. 

Even before stepping inside, she felt the joy of the event. Staff greeted brides with treats, upbeat music and warm energy.

“Everybody was in such a great mood,” she said. “This was before we even got in – it already felt special.”

Once inside the warehouse, Shay was amazed by the variety. 

“There was something for everybody,” she said. “If you wanted simple, you had options. If you wanted full-on glam, that was there too. Anything you could imagine.”

For Shay, the Bridal Pop-Up offered more than affordability. It provided community, joy and an environment that made her feel like a bride. 

“All the brides were helping each other,” she said. “If someone didn’t want a dress, they’d put it back so someone else could have a chance. In the dressing rooms, we were all cheering each other on. It felt like being at home.”

Like many brides, she found her dream dress at the sale for a fraction of the regular retail price. 

“I put my hands on it and held on for dear life,” she said. “When I looked it up later and saw it retailed for $1,800 and I paid $200, I was beyond the moon.”

She still can’t believe someone donated it. “If I could wear it every day, I would,” she joked. “It hurts my feelings that it’s just sitting in the closet in a black bag!” 

Shay took her bridal portraits a week before the wedding and fell in love with the gown all over again. “You’re going to look stunning in whatever you choose,” she said, offering advice to brides attending this year’s sale. “Don’t worry about that.” 

Shay and her husband were married on Nov. 1, 2025, and her dream dress moment remains one of her favorite memories from the entire wedding journey. 

The Bridal Pop-Up Sale returns for its seventh annual event on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, located at 5301 Wilkinson Boulevard in west Charlotte. Most bridal gowns will be priced from $99 to $499, and select designer dresses that are new with original tags will be priced up to $999. Special occasion, prom and bridesmaid dresses will be priced at $49 each, or three for $100. Shoes will start at $9.99. 

“I highly recommend it,” she said. “It’s not a last resort. There is something for everyone. It was a beautiful experience, start to finish.”

Finding the right event or meeting space in Charlotte can be challenging, especially if you need convenient parking, modern amenities, and budget‑friendly rates. Goodwill offers several flexible options across the region, giving businesses, nonprofits, and community groups access to clean, professional, and affordable spaces for meetings, trainings, celebrations, and events.

One of Goodwill’s most versatile venues is the Goodwill Opportunity Campus (GOC), which features a comprehensive mix of meeting rooms, event halls, and outdoor spaces. Located just two miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport and five miles from Uptown Charlotte, the GOC is centrally positioned to accommodate everything from small meetings to large conferences. With room for up to 375 guests, modern amenities, and free on‑site parking, it’s an ideal location for corporate events, hiring events, workshops, private functions, and community gatherings.

One long‑standing partner, April Stahl, returns year after year to host the Care Conference in the GOC’s 2,760‑square‑foot event hall.

“We absolutely love hosting our annual conference at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus,” she said. “The space is large, open, and incredibly versatile – perfect for a wide range of activities.”

To make planning simple and cost‑effective, the GOC offers amenities such as tables, chairs, linens, and free parking for up to 170 vehicles. The space also includes projector screens, smartboard technology, webcams, free Wi‑Fi, and access to IT personnel for setup and troubleshooting – resources that the Care Conference team regularly utilizes.

“The technology has always been reliable and more than sufficient for our needs,” April stated.

And for April and her team, the service stands out just as much as the space.

“What truly sets this venue apart is the team,” April shared. “The event team is exceptionally accommodating and proactive, going above and beyond to make sure everything runs smoothly. When our caterer fell short on promised services, they immediately stepped in to help problem-solve and support us, which made a huge difference in the success of our event.”

Choosing Goodwill as your event venue also creates community impact. Every booking directly supports Goodwill’s mission and helps fuel job training programs, job search support, and more for individuals in the greater Charlotte area, helping build economic mobility.

“It genuinely feels like a partnership with Goodwill, not just a venue rental, and we can’t say enough good things about working with the Goodwill team,” April said.

Whether you’re planning a small meeting, a large event, or something in between, Goodwill offers cost‑effective, convenient, and mission‑driven spaces across Charlotte and Gastonia. Learn more and get started on booking your event at this link today.

ADJUSTED HOURS

[Updated 2/2/26 at 4:00 p.m.]

Due to the impacts of winter weather on our region, we are making the following changes to our operations:

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31

• All of our operations – including retail stores and donation centers – will be CLOSED.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1

• All of our operations – including retail stores and donation centers – will be CLOSED.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2

STILL NEED A THRIFT KICK?

Stay warm inside and browse ShopGoodwill.com, our online auction site filled with unique treasures you can thrift right from your couch.

This Valentine’s Day, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is spreading the love with a special Bridal Dress Donation Drive, and you could win a sweet treat just for participating.

From Thursday, February 12 – Sunday, February 15, donate your bridal gown at one of our participating Goodwill locations for a chance to win our Valentine’s giveaway: a $200 gift card to Steak 48, perfect for celebrating love with a partner, best friend, family member, or even a much‑deserved date with yourself.

How to Enter:

1. Donate your bridal gown at one of the participating Goodwill stores or drop-off locations:
   • Ballantyne store
   • Ballantyne‑East store
   • Concord store
   • Cornelius store
   • Fort Mill store
   • Huntersville store
   • Indian Land store
   • Mt. Island store
   • Pineville store
   • SouthPark drop-off location
   • Weddington store
2. Take a photo with your dress at the donation location.
3. Scan the QR code provided by the Manager and submit your photo.

Each gown donated = one entry. So if you have more than one dress, you can enter again with each donation! The giveaway winner will be chosen at random and contacted on Monday, February 16.

Give Your Dress a Second Love Story

Your bridal gown already played a special role in your story, and now it can help write someone else’s. Donating your dress gives it new life and helps future brides shine on their big day. Even better, every donation supports Goodwill’s job training and career services, creating opportunities for people right here in our community to better their lives.

Don’t let it collect dust. Turn it into opportunity!

Save the Date: Bridal Pop-Up Sale — Saturday, March 7

Looking for your own dream dress? Our seventh annual Bridal Pop-Up Sale is returning on Saturday, March 7 at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus. Each year, we help hundreds of brides find their dream dress at a price that fits their budget and supports programs that change lives. Thank you for supporting our event!

Rock Hill Warehouse Auction: High-Volume Deals for Resellers

At Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, we believe everyone deserves access to the skills and tools needed to succeed in today’s digital world. That’s why we’re proud to partner with the Center for Digital Equity (CDE) to bring free computer training – and free laptops – to people across our region.

Through the CDE’s ConnectTech program, participants learn essential digital skills that open doors to employment, education, and overall independence. With more than 90 percent of jobs in North Carolina now requiring digital proficiency, this kind of access is critical.

Classes are led by the CDE’s digital navigators and hosted at community-centered locations like Goodwill’s Career and Employment Centers in Charlotte and Gastonia. Participants build confidence using technology for everyday tasks, from emailing and applying for jobs to navigating online platforms for school and healthcare. By June of 2026, 900 laptops will be distributed to participants who complete the program’s required assessments.

Goodwill is honored to collaborate with partners like CDE, the YMCA, and others committed to creating a more equitable digital future for our community. Together, we are helping hundreds of residents gain the tools they need to build brighter futures.

Learn more about Goodwill’s free digital skills offerings at this link.

“The designer is obviously something that would have most likely been unattainable for me otherwise. And so, whoever out there donated their Claire Pettibone dress to Goodwill, I am so grateful because it looked like it had never been worn. It was in perfect condition, and it was perfect for me.” 

When Cameron Davis Bordley walked into Goodwill’s annual Bridal Pop-Up in 2024, she wasn’t chasing a specific silhouette, designer or trend. In fact, she arrived with almost no expectations at all. 

“I didn’t know what kind of dress I wanted,” she said. “I thought I wanted sleeves – and obviously didn’t go with that. The only thing I really knew was my venue.”

With a full year before her wedding and no pressure to make a quick decision, Cameron approached the sale with curiosity more than urgency. She invited her friend Susan on a whim after seeing the event on social media. 

“I love a good deal,” she laughed. “I sent Susan the link and said, ‘Want to go with me and just check it out?’”

Cameron admits she expected chaos – something like the iconic “Friends” episode where Monica battles other brides at a sample sale. 

“It was the exact opposite,” she said. “Everyone was so positive. In the dressing room, women were cheering each other on – ‘That looks so good on you!’ ‘That’s perfect!’ It was such a supportive environment.”

While Goodwill is not a bridal boutique, the nonprofit works to make the event feel special for brides. 

She and Susan arrived about 15 minutes before doors opened, joining a line filled with excited brides. A DJ played music, the Goodwill team handed out snacks and coffee, and the line moved quickly. 

“Even standing in line was enjoyable,” she said. “Everyone was in a good mood.”

According to The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study, which surveyed nearly 17,000 U.S. couples who got married in 2024, the average wedding dress cost was about $2,000. 

Inside, Cameron’s eyes widened at the sheer number of gowns. 

“There were so many dresses – way more than I expected. You just go row by row and see what catches your eye.”

Cameron found a gown designed by Claire Pettibone, a luxury designer known for ethereal, romantic dresses – and for price tags far beyond most budgets. 

“She only has her flagship in L.A.,” Cameron said. “On the East Coast, I would’ve had to go to Atlanta or New York just to be fitted for one of her dresses.”

“She doesn’t post retail prices,” Cameron said, “but… it’s expensive.”

At the Bridal Pop-Up, Cameron paid just $300.

“It looked like it had never been worn,” she said. “It was perfect for me.”

While brides save money for the big day, they also are doing good for the community. Sales from the Bridal Pop-Up event help support Goodwill’s mission of providing tuition-free job training and career services to people in the Charlotte region. 

Cameron knew she wanted to feel beautiful on her wedding day – but she also knew she didn’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a dress.

The Bridal Pop-Up gave her the chance to have both: a dress that felt like a dream without the financial stress.

Cameron married her husband on May 31, 2025, in a garden ceremony in Wilmington – the exact setting she had envisioned when she picked up her gown. She wants to shout out her photographer, Jaclyn Nolin, and her event planner, Ashlyn Burke Events, who helped make her day all she dreamed of.

The bridal sale returns for its seventh annual event on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, 5301 Wilkinson Blvd. in west Charlotte. Most bridal gowns will be priced from $99 to $499, and select designer dresses that are new with original tags will be priced up to $999. Special occasion, prom and bridesmaid dresses will be priced at $49 each, or three for $100. Shoes will start at $9.99.

Check out Cameron’s top four tips for brides shopping this year’s sale here.

ADJUSTED HOURS

As winter weather impacts our region, the safety of our team members, shoppers, donors, participants and partners remains our top priority.

We are making the following operational changes at this time:

[As of 1/26/26, 6:30 p.m.]

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25

• All operations at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, including stores and donation centers, will be closed.

MONDAY, JANUARY 26

• Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont stores will be open from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Our Attended Donation Centers, Career Centers, GoodWork Staffing locations, Construction Trade Skills Training Center, and GOC partners will be closed.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27

• Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont stores will open at 10 a.m.
• Attended Donation Centers will operate on regular hours, opening at 9 a.m.
• Career Centers and GoodWork Staffing locations will open at 10 a.m.
• The Construction Trade Skills Training Center will operate on regular hours.

Stay safe out there! We’ll update this post in real-time as changes to our operations are announced. Please check back regularly for the latest information.

At Goodwill, we know that supporting people holistically means meeting a wide range of needs. That’s why we’re proud to partner with trusted community organizations to bring free tax preparation support to both our Charlotte and Gastonia Career & Employment Centers this tax season.