Grand Opening? I'm there.

If I told you I went to another grand opening of a Goodwill store, 

it probably wouldn't surprise you.

Brace yourself...

I went to another grand opening.

You know I'm a freak about Goodwill.

I'm a freak, I know.

I can't help it.

I try.

No, not really.

I gave up trying.

There I was Friday morning,

heart beating rapidly,

pacing the aisles like a salivating, black, polka dotted panther anticipating the kill purchase.

If you would've seen the line of bargain hungry, savvy shoppers waiting to 

get their hands on the merchandise,

 you would have been in survival mode too.

I managed to get some shots of the inventory before I got down to business.

The business of shopping.

Normally, 

I would show you the furniture and home goods, 

but this time,

I think the kids clothing needs a bit of the spotlight.

There were rows of children's clothing.

Boy's clothes and games.

From baby sleepers to stuffed animals the choices were plentiful.

What dog wouldn't have a hey day with that rack of stuffed animals?

Shoes...

Pink, orange, red.

Top row,

 pink cowgirl boots.

Be still my heart.

Socks, 

hats 

and little piggy slippers.

Purses and bags.

See the little furry bags?

 Groovy flower. Orange. Light blue. Lime. Yellow.

Without a doubt,

 those are off the cuteness meter.

And are you ready for this?

Every mother's dream.

Action figures and super heros,

  organized in bins.

Organized.

Um, can the person who organized this section, 

come to my house?

Denim.

Denim jeans.

Denim jeans without holes in the knees,

at bargain prices.

Dreams do come true.

This is just a little preview of the store, 

but I just wanted to show you the large amount of donated items,

new and gently used,

 that go on for miles.

Not only are the donations coming into the Goodwill stores,

 but in other thrift stores too.

There are racks and shelves packed with items

with more merchandise waiting in the back

to be brought up to the sales floor.

Where would all of these discarded goods go if 

thrift stores didn't exist?

Where would these donated goods go if people like me didn't pace the aisles looking for items that are worthy of a second,

and often a first chance,

 at a new life?

Call it recycling, 

call it thrift,

call it what you want, 

just give thrift store shopping a try.

Shopping and sifting through donated items can be overwhelming, maybe embarrassing to some,

but I'd like to thinks it's better than the alternative.

The embarrassment of having landfills filled to capacity.

Now, don't let me be a buzz kill and bring you down,

because just when I think all hope is lost,

I met a little guy, in the check out line,

 at the grand opening who knows the value,

 of a good thrift store purchase.

Now that is a dream come true!

Savvy Shoppers Unite!