BOOKS, BARGAINS & BEACH READS

Looking for your next great read? Goodwill is your go-to destination for affordable books and cozy reading finds. This summer, discover why Goodwill is the best-kept secret for readers on a budget. From beach reads and thrillers to cookbooks, kids’ stories and timeless classics, we’ve got shelves full of stories waiting to be discovered.

Find paperbacks for just $0.99 and hardcovers for $1.39, plus everything you need to create the perfect reading nook – from cozy chairs and lamps to mugs and pillows. Every purchase supports local career training programs, job search support programs and more, so your summer reads do even more good!

IN-STORE FINDS

Visit your local Goodwill store to browse their book selection and start your summer reading today!

SPLASH INTO SUMMER WITH GOODWILL FINDS

Surf into savings by shopping at Goodwill for all your summer must-haves! From swimsuits and cover-ups to pool floats and coolers, you can find everything you need for some fun in the sun at your local Goodwill. By shopping at Goodwill, not only will you rack up on great finds without breaking the bank, you’ll also do good for our community and planet!

SUMMER ESSENTIALS IN STORES NOW

YOUR DONATIONS & PURCHASES DO GOOD!

GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Your donations and purchases do big things for our community! The money we make from selling donated items in our stores is what pays for the job training programs, job search support and more that we offer completely free of charge to thousands of people in our community each year, including our very own team members.

GOOD FOR OUR PLANET

Goodwill stores play a big part in the circular economy, which is a system that keeps products in circulation for as long as possible. Goodwill helps communities extend the life of usable items, which reduces the amount of material sent to landfills or incinerators. Last year, we sold more than 20 million items in our stores and online shops – giving them a second chance.

SPRING HOME REFRESH

Spring is the perfect time for a home refresh! The good news? You don’t have to spend a fortune to give your space a stylish seasonal update. Our stores are filled with affordable, secondhand home décor treasures – from vases and artwork to throw pillows, candles and more. Whether you’re looking to brighten up a room or add fresh, spring-inspired touches, you’ll find unique pieces that fit your style and budget.

And you can feel good about your purchases because they do good for our community! The revenue we generate from selling items in our stores helps people train for and find employment. When people have access to quality jobs, they gain the stability they need to support themselves and their families. This not only empowers people, but it also creates stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities. Want to make an even greater impact? Consider making a financial gift to support our mission and help more people build brighter futures.

GREAT FINDS IN STORES NOW

FIND MORE THRIFTED HOME GOODS & FURNITURE ONLINE

Missed out on a great find in stores? Home by Goodwill gives a second chance to unique home décor and furniture that didn’t sell in our stores – so you can shop curated secondhand pieces online and pick them up locally. Follow Home by Goodwill on Instagram and Facebook to see the latest finds and claim your favorites before they’re gone!

DENIM FOR DAYS

Denim is a tried-and-true staple of almost every wardrobe. And the good news is that you don’t have to break the bank or hurt the planet to add stylish denim pieces to your collection. Our stores are stocked with affordable, secondhand, name-brand denim – including jeans, jackets, shorts, skirts, overalls, and more!

DO GOOD FOR OUR PLANET

Many people don’t realize the amount of limited natural resources it takes to produce everyday items. For example, did you know it takes 1,800 gallons of water to grow enough cotton to make just one pair of jeans? When you donate denim you no longer want or buy secondhand jeans, you help preserve the planet’s water supply. Be a friend to the planet by donating to Goodwill and shopping secondhand! Be a friend to the planet by donating to Goodwill and shopping secondhand.

DO GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY

You can feel good about your purchases because they do good for our community! The revenue we generate from selling items in our stores helps people train for and find employment – at no cost to them. When people have access to quality jobs, they gain the stability they need to support themselves and their families. This not only empowers individuals, but it also creates stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities.

Morgan Winston had a birthday to remember in December. In just one day, the teenager visited 17 Goodwill retail locations across the Charlotte region to commemorate her special day.

“I just love thrifting. That’s something my dad, my sister and I would do together,” Morgan said. “I thought, what’s something fun I could do for my 17th birthday? I just wanted to spend the whole day going to Goodwill. Then my dad had the idea: You’re turning 17, why don’t you go to 17 Goodwill’s?”

On December 28, 2024, Earnest Winston took his daughters, Morgan and her younger sister, Olivia, on a thrifting spree of 17 Goodwill’s across the Charlotte region.

“I know the kinds of clothes I’m going to find when I go to Old Navy, or if I go to H&M, but when I go to the Goodwill, I don’t know what I’m going to find,” Morgan explained. “For me, thrifting is a way to really curate my personal style, because it’s so unique. And I feel like no one else has what I have that I find at Goodwill,” Morgan added.

ThredUp’s Annual Report found that a younger generation is tapping into thrifting, with 56% of Gen Z and Millennials saying they would forgo the latest trends in favor of a one-of-a-kind look. 

“During COVID, I just started watching a lot of YouTubers who picked up thrifting. And I think I’d heard of it before, but I’d never seen it done, especially young people doing it,” Morgan explained. 

Just five years later, Morgan is an avid thrifter, and a regular at Goodwill. In addition to thrifting unique finds, she knows her shopping and donations at the nonprofits retail stores help to make a difference in the community and support sustainability. That’s why in addition to shopping on her birthday, both she and her sister cleaned out their closets and donated clothes.  

“It felt even more enjoyable knowing that by supporting Goodwill we’re able to help provide opportunities for people to learn new skills, find employment and provide for themselves and for their families,” Earnest said. “My wife and I, we are constantly trying to teach our daughters, this journey that we’re on called life is more than just about us. It’s about what we are doing to give back so that others can have a more impactful life. For me and my wife, that was the true meaning behind this experience.”

Although they didn’t make a purchase from every store, they did find goods at about 13 of the stores and spent time at all 17 stores. 

So, what does it take to visit 17 Goodwill locations in one day? First off, a good plan of action. 

“I think we got up around 6 a.m. and we left the house at about 8:20. We decided to go to the furthest location first and work our way back in,” Earnest explained of their plan for the day. 

With the help of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, Earnest was able to give his daughter this very special birthday gift. The nonprofit assisted by providing a map of its 36 retail locations across the Charlotte region, so the Winston’s could select the stores they wanted to visit and achieve their goal. They even gifted Morgan with a swag bag at her final stop, the Idlewild store.

Their big day began at the store in Shelby, one of the largest Goodwill locations in the nation – featuring a community room and an entire electronics and gaming section hosted by the nonprofit’s tech store, The GRID.

“We were going to spend 15, no more than 20 minutes in each store. We spent like 30 minutes in the Shelby store because it was so huge,” Earnest explained.  

This created some challenges, and at one point they were unsure if they would achieve their goal, but they did. 

“We started off behind and we played catch up for the rest of the day,” Earnest said. 

While this day took a lot of preparation, for Earnest, this time with his daughters was priceless.

“Having both of them with me for the entire day was an amazing experience,” he said. “The reason I suggested 17 was because I wanted it to be even more meaningful than just a birthday celebration. For me, it was about having a goal, having something to aim for and dreaming big. I think I helped to sort of just reemphasize to them that it’s okay to dream big.”

DON’T PLAY HEART TO GET

Our stores have curated items perfect for a romantic Valentine’s date or a fun Galentine’s get-together. Stop by your local Goodwill to shop its selection of dresses, date-night outfits, festive dishware, stuffed animals, romantic movies and books, candles, cozy blankets, and more!

And you can feel good about your purchases because they do good for our community! The revenue we generate from selling items in our stores helps people train for and find employment. When people have access to quality jobs, they gain the stability they need to support themselves and their families. This not only empowers people, but it also creates stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities.

VALENTINE’S & GALENTINE’S ESSENTIALS

GREAT FINDS IN STORES NOW

Sabrina Covington is now a wife, but just last year she was a fiancée looking for her dream dress. 

“Of course, every girl wants that amazing, beautiful dress because it’s your one special day, but I couldn’t afford it,” Covington explained.  

According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, which surveyed nearly 10,000 U.S. couples who got married in 2022, the average wedding dress cost in 2023 was about $2,000. 

Lucky for Sabrina, she scored a dress retailing for more than $3000, for just $500 at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont’s annual Bridal Pop-Up Sale. 

“I feel like that dress was made for me and it was just perfect,” Covington shared. 

Despite having never tried on any wedding dresses, Sabrina at least knew what style of dress she was looking for, and that helped her and her entourage find her wedding gown. 

Covington learned about the sale through her mom, who saw an ad on social media just over a week before the event. With her “I do” crew in tow, they traveled an hour from Mockville, North Carolina to Charlotte. 

“Everything was so nice, even in line, you got snacks. You had food. You had music. Everyone was excited,” Covington added. 

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

“I think it was also like the fact that you get to share a dressing room with other brides that are going through the same thing as you. So, it’s kind of fun getting to share that experience, and then at the same time, having your main people there,” she said.  

Brides who attend this year’s event can expect flower walls with props to take photos, refreshments, shared dressing rooms and even giveaways.  

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

“I’m happy I can give back in some way, and I gave back to me at the same time,” Covington said when learning her purchase helped Goodwill support people in the Charlotte region.  

For brides who plan to attend this year’s event, Covington has a few suggestions for you. She says, “Make sure the girls you bring with you know your style.” 

The bridal sale returns for its sixth annual event Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, located at 5301 Wilkinson Boulevard in west Charlotte. Bridal gowns will be priced from $99 – $499, and select designer dresses that are new with the original tags still on will be priced up to $999. Special occasion, prom, and bridesmaid dresses will be priced $49 each, or 3 for $100. Shoes will start at $9.99. For more information, click here.

Yes, to the dress! It’s the words brides are hoping to say when they find their dream dress. But for many brides, the thought of finding a bridal gown without breaking the bank, can seem nearly impossible.

“No, I didn’t have $2000 to spend on a dress,” said Cynthia Pettyjohn Jones.  

Jones found her dress at a fraction of the cost at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont’s annual Bridal Pop-Up Sale. 

She heard about the event through her niece, who saw it promoted on social media. Not long after, she heard the event mentioned on the news.  

Without even going to a boutique to try on dresses, she rallied her “I do” crew to attend the event with her, hoping to find the dress of her dreams. 

“The last dress that I tried on, which was at the top of my budget is the one that I purchased,” Cynthia explained.  

She paid $500. Her dress was brand new with tags on it and retailed for $1,200. 

“It was very exciting, you know, to find a brand-new dress at a fraction of the cost,” Cynthia exclaimed. 

According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, which surveyed nearly 10,000 U.S. couples who got married in 2022, the average wedding dress cost in 2023 was about $2,000. 

In addition to the cost of the dress, there’s other costs for brides to consider – veils, alterations, shoes, jewelry and more. Cynthia was lucky enough to find her veil and a belt to accessorize her dress at the pop-up at reduced prices.  

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

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

“I thought it was just such a nice event. I thought it was just going to be go stand in line, hope you get in, hope you find something. But they made the event really nice,” Cynthia explained of her experience as she waited in line the morning of the event. “They had a DJ out there. They had coffee, hot cocoa, chocolate covered strawberries and pastries,” she added. 

Brides who attend this year’s event can expect flower walls with props to take photos, refreshments, shared dressing rooms and even giveaways.  

For brides who plan to attend this year’s event Jones has a few suggestions for you. She says, “Bring some people with you, because you’re going to need help grabbing dresses. And wear comfortable shoes.” 

The bridal sale returns for its sixth annual event Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, located at 5301 Wilkinson Boulevard in west Charlotte. Most bridal gowns will be priced from $99 – $499, and select designer dresses that are new with the original tags still on will be priced up to $999. Special occasion, prom, and bridesmaid dresses will be priced $49 each, or 3 for $100. Shoes will start at $9.99. For more information, click here.

Calling all brides! You don’t want to miss our sixth annual, one-day-only Bridal Pop-Up Sale! We’ll be selling hundreds of designer gowns – many with the original tags still on them – at drastically reduced prices.

SAVE THE DATE

Goodwill’s sixth annual Bridal Pop-Up Sale is taking place Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, located at 5301 Wilkinson Boulevard in west Charlotte. We’ll be selling hundreds of bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, special occasion dresses, and shoes in new or gently used condition.

PRICING

• Most bridal gowns will be priced $99 – $499, and select gowns will be priced up to $999
• Special occasion, prom, and bridesmaid dresses will be priced $49 each or 3 for $100
• Shoes will start at $9.99
• All sales are final

FAQs

1. Are there fitting rooms?
   • Yes, there are fitting rooms on site so that shoppers can try on dresses. Please note that these fitting rooms are large and often times shared, so you may be in a fitting room with other brides.
2. Are there restrooms?
   • Yes, there are restrooms on site.
3.  What methods of payment will be accespted at the sale?
   • We will accept cash and major credit cards.
4. Can I return items I purchase from the Bridal Pop-Up Sale?
   • No, you cannot return items purchased from the Bridal Pop-Up Sale. All sales are final.
5. Is there a limit to the number of people I can bring with me?
   • No, there is no limit to the number of people you can bring with you. Bring the whole squad! The more, the merrier.
6. Is there a limit to the number of people who can shop at one time?
   • Yes, to stay in alignment with fire codes, we can only allow a certain number of people in the showroom at a time. We will have someone stationed at the door counting people in and out to make sure everyone stays safe.

LOOK GOOD, DO GOOD

The revenue we generate from selling dresses at our Bridal Pop-Up Sale funds tuition-free job training programs, job search support and more that we offer absolutely free of charge to people in our community. You can rest easy knowing your purchases will help people right here in the greater Charlotte area pursue the life they want to achieve. Check out a few of our recent success stories to see your support in action!

PHOTO GALLERY

Check out these pictures from previous sales!

HELLO, 2025

Happy New Year! Whether you want to tackle fitness goals, start a wellness journey, or simply embrace comfy casual vibes in 2025, you can shop your local Goodwill for activewear and athleisure that supports your goals – whatever they may be! Plus, you can feel good about your purchases because they do good for our community! That’s because the revenue we generate from selling donated items in our stores funds tuition-free career training programs, job search support and more – all of which we offer completely free of charge to thousands of people in our community each year, including our own team members.

AFFORDABLE STYLE

SPOTTED IN STORES