Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington is closing its South Lake Union and University District thrift stores on September 22 due to rising safety concerns, theft, and increasing rent. Derieontay Sparks, senior vice president at Evergreen Goodwill, cited troubling incidents of property damage and break-ins, coupled with high operational costs, as key reasons for the closures.
The South Lake Union store, open since 2012, and the University District store, a community fixture since 2008, have both faced significant challenges. Proceeds from these stores, along with others in the region, fund Goodwill’s free job training and education programs, which have supported over 57,000 individuals in the past decade.
Despite the closures, Goodwill will continue offering job opportunities to affected employees and encourages community support at nearby locations in Capitol Hill and Ballard.
