Anson shoppers in search of gently used merchandise at affordable prices, look no further! Goodwill announces the opening of the Anson Goodwill Store at 6065 S. Main Street in Whitestown, Thursday, Sept. 4, at 7 a.m.
Along with wall-to-wall clothes, household items, books and toys, the new store boasts 16,500 square feet, six checkout registers and a donation drive-thru center. The store will have 30 employees and more than 60,000 pieces of merchandise.
“We’re thrilled to bring Goodwill to another central Indiana community and to welcome our shoppers and donors to a great new store,” said Eric Schlegel, vice president of retail operations. “We have a convenient drive-thru for quick and easy donating and tons of merchandise to shop for, both of which support our mission of education and employment. Plus, we’ve created 30 new jobs here in the Whitestown area. This new store is a ‘win’ all around.”
One of the friendly faces Anson shoppers and donors will see is Jacob Gable, who is joining the new store’s team after 2 ½ years at the West Carmel store. Jacob, 26, a distant relative to famed actor Clark Gable, has some physical and cognitive disabilities.
“My disabilities haven’t been a problem—I don’t let them be,” Jacob said with a smile. “I’ve worked with people at previous employers who weren’t disability friendly who put me through a lot. Nobody should be treated poorly, disability or not. Common courtesy is one thing I really believe in.”
After receiving his high school certificate of completion and later earning a GED, he worked a string of jobs but none that were a good fit for his abilities or understood his desire to work hard.
After working with a job coach, Jacob pursued an opening at Goodwill and began with a position in the backroom, accepting donations and sorting items. He liked the work but the physical demands began to wear on him, so his manager found something better suited to his needs and skills. He was assigned to cleaning and light maintenance.
“At first I wasn’t sure I’d like cleaning, but it’s become my normal—an everyday thing for me,” Jacob said. “I’m a perfectionist, and I want people to take it seriously, keeping the store nice and clean. After customer service, appearance is the second most important thing when it comes to any job.”
His helpful, hard-working and friendly ways led to his then-manager Tim Akins to nominate him for the 2013 Achiever of the Year award, which recognizes an outstanding individual who has made significant progress and accomplishment in overcoming barriers to employment.
“Jacob will be a valuable asset at Anson,” said Akins. “He always comes in with a great attitude and enjoys his job. Before he gets started he has an idea of what to work on for the day but still checks with management beforehand. His final words after being given instruction are, ‘OK, I will get right to it,’ which brightens our day. We wish him the best!”
Goodwill employees more than 2,000 employees in its retail division, and two-thirds of them have limited employment options, due to disability, lack of a high school diploma or other barrier. Donations of gently used clothes and other goods provide support for those jobs and other services for Anson residents.
