Goodwill of the Finger Lakes officially opened its first Ithaca store last Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that welcomed dignitaries, community leaders, and residents to the new location at 723 South Meadow Street.
The 15,000-square-foot thrift store, housed in the former Ollie’s Bargain Outlet building, marks Goodwill’s 13th retail site in the Finger Lakes region and its first in Tompkins County. “When you donate or shop at Goodwill, you are giving things a second life and embracing value, versatility and sustainability in every purchase,” said Jennifer Lake, President and CEO of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes.
Lake highlighted the timing of the opening, coming just after Earth Day, and emphasized Goodwill’s ongoing efforts toward sustainability. She noted plans to collaborate with local reuse organizations and expand recycling initiatives through the Goodwill Northeast Circularity Hub. “We’d like to sincerely thank the Ithaca community for the warm welcome and are excited for the ability to collaborate,” she said.
The new store offers a range of affordable second-hand items including clothing, electronics, housewares, and seasonal goods. As part of the grand opening festivities, the first 100 customers received complimentary $10 gift cards. The store is also a daily donation site, open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Assemblymember Anna Kelles praised Goodwill’s arrival, noting its contribution to Ithaca’s leadership in waste reduction. “By donating or shopping at Goodwill, our neighbors are taking a meaningful step toward reducing that impact—keeping reusable items in circulation and increasing access to affordable essentials for individuals and families,” Kelles said.
Headquartered in Rochester, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes serves more than 20 counties across upstate New York, from Greater Rochester to Syracuse.
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