Store

Think you'll find good prices at Goodwill? Try the 16,000 square foot outlet. Goodwill opened the doors its new facility in October 2004 and in the first three months recycled more than 8,000 tons of merchandise. Everything is given one last chance to sell in this enormous space, and prices are dirt cheap. Linens, clothing, fabric and other soft goods sell for $1.29 a pound. However, if you buy over 100 pounds, the price drops to 59 cents a pound.

Other areas are sectioned off for furniture where you might find a well-used (very well used) couch for under $20, a dining chair for $1.99, a desk or chest of drawers. There are small appliances (lots of outdated hulking microwaves), assorted electronics, bikes, golf clubs and outdoor grills. Deep bins lining the walls are full of glassware for 59 cents a pound, shoes, books (19 cents for children’s books, 49 cents for hardbacks), records (Bob Denver and Heart), CDs, luggage and miscellaneous stuff like someone's old bowling trophy.

Die-hard bargain shoppers can spend hours here, since bins are rolled out and in every few hours on a random schedule. Shoppers must stand behind yellow lines taped on the floor until bins are in place, then they're allowed to dive in. And they do, up to their elbows and shoulders digging wildly through piles of castoffs.

Whatever isn't bought is recycled — glass, metal, clothing — or eventually makes its way to the dump.

By Kathy Schultz
NWsource shopping columnist