Goodwill Industries of the Columbia’s new 20,000-square-foot store opened for business on Aug. 30.

Located at 345 S. Columbia Center Blvd., it’s between Fred’s Appliance and Flower Farm.

The $4.2 million project, which included the land purchase and new building, features 10,000 square feet of retail floor space stocked with new items every day, 10,000 square feet of production space and an easy-to-access drive-thru donation area.

The new store also has five dressing rooms.

Goodwill officials say the new location is better for shoppers and donations because it replaces two leased Kennewick store properties with one that is owned – a move that will help the nonprofit to be able to serve the community long into the future.

The new facility also serves as a training site for people with disabilities.

Revenues generated by Goodwill through sales go back into its programs, such as free job training, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have barriers preventing them from otherwise obtaining a job.

Goodwill Industries of the Columbia is one of 160 autonomous member agencies in the Goodwill network.

Established in 1969, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia operates in a 13-county region of south-central Washington and northeastern Oregon, with stores in Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, Sunnyside and Hermiston.

G2 Construction of Kennewick was the general contractor.

Archibald & Co. Architects of Richland was the architect.