South Fort Myers store looks to promote Goodwill with redo

Brighter lighting, flooring and a new drive-through drop off are some of the changes customers will see at the Goodwill Retail and Donation Center in south Fort Myers.

The Island Park Road store is being remodeled to keep up with the times and show customers that their business is appreciated.

"We want to make it so people, shoppers and donors, come back because they had a great experience," said Brian Itzkowitz, the vice president of retail operations for Goodwill Industries. "These changes will make it more shoppable and easier for people who want to get in and out quickly."

The speed in which donations are made are a concern for Goodwill because the 20,000- square-foot store is visited by 1,000 donors and 1,000 shoppers a week.

"That's more than we can handle and we want to pride ourselves on an amazing experience," said Itzkowitz. He added that the logistics for donors especially will change.

"Now they all come in through one door so we knew we had to make an investment."

The remodeling will cost Goodwill $500,000 but Itzkowitz said the improvements are needed.

"The majority of our funds come from retail sales and if we don't reinvest in our buildings we are hurting ourselves," Itzkowitz said about the store that opened in 2000.

The store is just one of many stores, including Punta Gorda, Cape Coral and Pine Island, that have been remodeled.

"We are in the process of these remodels at a number of stores and we are doing them one by one," said Kirsten O'Donnell, a Goodwill spokesperson. "We are remodeling to give them a consistent look."

The new look, Itzkowitz said, comes with cream and white awnings, bright colors and the signature smiling face Goodwill logo.

"People are really struggling with this economy and they need us now more than ever," he said. "This is a long term investment to be a part of the community and give the shoppers and donors a great experience."

The store remains open during the remodeling.