Goodwill Closing 2 Locations in Seattle

Goodwill announced the closure of two Seattle stores due to concerns about theft and rising costs, highlighting the impact of crime on local businesses.

At a Glance

Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington is closing two Seattle thrift stores in South Lake Union and University District
The closures, effective September 22, are due to safety concerns, theft, and rising rent
All 30 affected employees will be offered roles at other Goodwill locations
The decision follows similar closures by other retailers in Seattle due to crime
Goodwill experienced a $4 million revenue loss in 2023

Goodwill Closing 2 Seattle Locations

Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington has announced the closure of two Seattle thrift stores, citing a perfect storm of safety concerns, theft, and rising rent costs. The South Lake Union store, which opened in 2012, and the University District location, operating since 2008, will both cease operations on September 22.

Despite the decision to shutter these locations, Evergreen Goodwill Senior Vice President of Retail Operations Derieontay Sparks said that “what we do powers our mission,” and “that won’t change.” Goodwill aims to provide free job training, education, and job placement programs, which are funded by proceeds from its stores. Over the past decade, Goodwill has assisted more than 57,000 individuals through its job training centers.

According to a release, Goodwill plans to close its South Lake Union and University District thrift stores at the end of next month. https://t.co/yEFhDt4UVa

— KIRO 7 (@KIRO7Seattle) August 26, 2024

Crime and Costs: A Citywide Issue

The closure of these Goodwill stores is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling trend in Seattle. Other major retailers, including Nike, Starbucks, and Lululemon, have also reportedly closed locations in the city and cited crime as a factor. The Seattle City Auditor report revealed 13,103 police calls from the city’s top 100 retail outlets in 2022, consuming 18,615 hours of police time.

Goodwill also said that rising rent costs factored into its decision in Seattle. Notably, reporting from earlier this year also indicated that rent has been rising faster than people’s wages across the US. Seattle was cited as a city where the difference was keenly felt, with rent costs outpacing wages by around 12% over the past few years.

“The decision to close these stores was not made lightly,” said Sparks of the Goodwill closures. “Both locations have experienced a troubling rise in property damage, break-ins and safety concerns for our employees. These challenges, coupled with rising rent and operational costs, have made it unsustainable to continue operating in these areas.”

Impact on Employees and Community

The closures will directly affect 30 employees, but Goodwill has committed to offering them roles at other locations. This move demonstrates the organization’s dedication to its workforce despite the challenging circumstances. However, the loss of these stores will undoubtedly impact the local communities they served.

“Donations from the community fuel our stores, and all proceeds from our stores power our free Job Training and Education Programs,” Sparks said. “Without our shoppers and generous donors, we simply couldn’t do what we do. Thank you for the support of the community in South Lake Union and the University District over the years, and while we are sad to leave, we hope fans of Goodwill will continue to visit us at our other nearby locations.”

Ongoing Issues for Goodwill Locations

The University District location has reportedly experienced repeated vandalism, with windows replaced three times in just three months. Employees have reportedly faced threats from individuals looking to steal, leading to significant safety concerns.

Evergreen Goodwill’s $4 million revenue loss in 2023, the first since 2020, underscores the financial strain these issues are placing on businesses. The organization is striving to maintain operational sustainability without compromising its mission of offering free job training and education, but the closures indicate the severity of the challenges they face.

As Seattle grapples with this ongoing issue, the closure of these Goodwill stores serves as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of crime and costs on local businesses and the communities they serve.