Fort Erie’s first Goodwill store opens Wednesday

The first Goodwill store in Fort Erie opens Wednesday, but it will have no fitting rooms–a decision that led to complaints and forced a new exchange policy before opening day.

Customers will instead get 14 days to exchange it, as long as they keep the receipt and leave the tags attached, according to Goodwill Niagara.

Goodwill Niagara wrote in a social media post that the Fort Erie store would open without fitting rooms because of the layout and the space available. The announcement drew complaints from prospective local customers.

Goodwill responded that it is looking at changes that could allow fitting rooms later. It has not committed to installing them or given a timeline.

The Fort Erie store will also refuse furniture donations because of the space available and its plans for the sales floor, Goodwill Niagara said. Other donated clothing and household goods will be accepted on site.

Goodwill Niagara asked residents in early July to stop leaving donations outside the building, saying staff could accept nothing before opening day.

Commercial real estate firm Creiland Consultants reported that Goodwill leased the 7,325-square-foot unit, near Pettit Road, for five years.

Hiring began in May, when the company posted cashier, sorter and assistant manager jobs paying $19 to $21 an hour through Job Gym’s Fort Erie job board.

Goodwill has operated in Niagara since 1994.

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