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Goodwill Southern California (GSC) held a grand opening for its new Warehouse Clearance Center in Riverside last Friday, April 4, 2025, marking the organization's first outlet store in the area and its fourth Riverside location overall.
The new facility introduces a different kind of thrifting experience to the community. Unlike traditional Goodwill retail stores where items are individually priced and displayed on racks or shelves, the Warehouse Clearance Center sells goods by the pound. These outlet stores, commonly referred to as "the bins," feature large unsorted bins of product that are rolled out periodically throughout the day.
The 'bins". (Ken Crawford)
The grand opening featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local dignitaries and Goodwill representatives. The first 50 shoppers in line received $10 merchandise vouchers, while a nearby Preview Center offered prize drawings including a 65" TV and a $100 Goodwill SoCal gift card.
Patrick McClenahan, Goodwill Southern California's President & CEO, stated in the press release, "We are excited to open our Warehouse Clearance Center in Riverside. Goodwill SoCal stores help fund our non-profit's mission to Transform Lives Through the Power of Work, helping people in our community who experience barriers to employment find jobs."
The shopping format at Warehouse Clearance Centers creates a more intense treasure-hunting atmosphere than traditional thrift stores. These outlets can be an every-person-for-themselves experience that is not for the faint of heart, with shoppers eagerly sorting through newly arrived merchandise. You may strike out or strike gold - that's part of the appeal.
Warehouse Clearance Centers are where many vintage boutiques source their inventory in bulk, explaining how these curated shops maintain their business model while still offering thrifted goods.
The new Warehouse Clearance Center joins Goodwill SoCal's existing Riverside locations: a retail store on Magnolia Avenue, a boutique and donation center on Alessandro Boulevard, and an employment center on Spruce Street.
More information: The Goodwill Clearance Center is located at 1049 Spruce St, Riverside, CA 92507, and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
