Last Friday, the new Goodwill Store opened in Westport. It looks like a mini department store…all fresh and new… all the old-clothing odors gone…and all the really fantastic prices seem to be gone, too. But, if it was a choice between having a new and improved store with slightly higher prices, or having the old Goodwill shut down, of course anyone in their right mind who lives in Fairfield County would opt for the new building.
The Goodwill is in a new building built on the site of the old Peppermill Restaurant at 1700 Post Road East in Westport. This particular Goodwill is known for its unique , and its tony selection of clothing and goods, be it that it’s in….Westport. On any given day in the old building, you’d find a handful of well-heeled women searching the racks for their next black-tie ensemble. From an old BMW to the newest leased Lexus model, the parking lot was always a mix of cars, and TFF believes that will continue with the new building.
While milling around on opening day, I heard a patron complaining about the prices. This was a young-ish, well-kept kind of man, mind you. I asked him…”So, do you think the prices went up?” He replied, “Yes, they sure did, but they’ll get away with it because everyone shops here because of the economy.”
Okay, well, smart shoppers shopped there before the economy soured, too. And on Friday, I was happy to get a just-about-brand-new stainless Cuisinart frying pan for $8 that I desperately needed. Would I have preferred it to be $5, yes, but I’m not complaining.
You’ll have the complainers and the thankful patrons, but I have to say, my 13-year-old daughter just loves the new store when we went (again) on Saturday. She would barely be able to step into the old building even though I’d explain “You’ll get five items here for the price of one item at Kohl’s,” but it fell on deaf ears. The older building wasn’t “new” enough for her, and I certainly did not raise a spoiled child! But being 13 years old….and in middle school…well, it warps your mind, I guess. But she did not want to leave the new store on Saturday. Although we left with only one hoodie (brand new for $3.99) for her, she said she thinks the new Goodwill is her new shopping hangout. To me, those are golden words. Thank you, Goodwill!
~Marilyn, TFF
Two Frugal Fairfielders 
Honestly, get your daughter into searching and finding gems and she’ll be sold forever. Coming from a teenage thrifter. -Amber
I will, it’s a goal! (She’s sold on the new store, thank goodness!) She’s 13 and still in frugal training ;–) ~Marilyn