Goodwill Brings Thrift Finds and Job Opportunities To Chicago’s West Side
Goodwill opens store and donation center at 2135 W. Grand Avenue, its second location on the West Side of Chicago and fourth in the city.
Located in the historic Machine Shop building and near major city corridors accessible via public transit, the store and donation center offers more than 11,000 square feet of modern thrift shopping space and a dedicated donation zone on W Ferdinand Street just off N Leavitt Street.
The opening creates more than 50 new jobs and marks the latest step in Goodwill’s continued expansion across Chicago — bringing secondhand shopping, convenient donation options, and job opportunities to more residents.
Purchases and donations support local workforce programs and services.
“By opening a Goodwill Store & Donation Center in the City of Chicago, we're both expanding our presence and deepening our dedication to serving the community,” says Clay Kalweit, Vice President Real Estate & Facilities at Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago. “Goodwill is invested as a community resource. We’re expanding our Washington Boulevard location in 2025 and opened store and donation centers in the Avondale neighborhood and communities of Burbank and Melrose Park, all of which fuel our ability to support local programs through purchases and donations.”
Goodwill is also refreshing the thrift shopping experience with renovations slated to be complete at all Greater Chicago locations within 2025.
Shop and Donate to Support Chicago Community Resources
Shoppers will find a curated mix of secondhand fashion, vintage pieces, and unique home goods with items updated daily — offering lots of opportunity to keep items in use through reuse, upcycling and repurposing.
Mural by Chicago-based artist, Alecks Cruz, brings color and local flare to the new store and donation center.
“Every time you shop at or donate to Goodwill, you’re helping your neighbors across Chicago access job training, get hired, and connect to critical resources like housing, food and transportation. This isn’t just a store and donation center—it’s a pathway to hope and opportunity,” said Clayton Pryor, Chief Mission Officer at Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago.
Goodwill's employment services help Chicagoans prepare for and find work.
In 2024, Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago supported more than 21,000 people through its mission-based programs and services. In Greater Chicago, the organization served more than 6,000 individuals and placed people into over 1,200 employment opportunities, as well as provided free job services to more than 4,000 people through Workforce Connection Centers located in Lombard, North Riverside and Englewood.
“With our partners, we are focused on reaching more people with essential services that meet individual needs and foster economic growth. By enhancing our workforce development programs, specifically job training and placement plus community initiatives focused on teens and young adults, we are creating a stronger, more resilient community,” says Pryor.
Support Goodwill’s mission by donating new and gently used home goods and clothing to your local Goodwill Store & Donation Center, shopping at Goodwill in-person or online, or by making a financial contribution. Learn more about donating to Goodwill.
Goodwill Store & Donation Centers in Greater Chicago are open for thrifting and donation drop off Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find a full list of store locations and donation guidelines.
Connect with Chicago Job Opportunities
Individuals interested in working with Goodwill can visit one of Goodwill’s Workforce Connection Centers or apply online. Community members seeking job support can get started by:
- Stopping into a Goodwill Workforce Connection Center for free help finding a job including resume building, interview preparation, plus job search and application assistance. Chicagoland locations serve the Englewood and North Lawndale neighborhoods and North Riverside and Lombard, Illinois. Must be 16 and older to use services.
- Applying online to the Empower Youth program that supports teens and young adults, ages 16 to 24, in preparing for and finding a job.
- Visiting Goodwill TalentBridge online for local job openings or for placement support in entry level through professional positions across a variety of in-demand industries like healthcare and education.