Goodwill Store

I like this one alright, but it’s not amazing. I’ve had a few good hauls there, though, so I go almost every time I’m at the mall or other nearby stores. It’s a pretty average Goodwill for the region.

This location has been in the Castleton area for quite some time — recently remodeled to match the theme of the rest of the Central Indiana Goodwills. However it is a smaller store with a bit limited selection. I hate to put them down, but with other newer and larger Goodwill stores going in — I don’t go out of my way to stop in here anymore. But if I am in the area, it’s a definite «must stop» as you never know what you might find. From my experience, prices are pretty much on par with the rest of the Indianapolis area Goodwill stores — not high, not lower.

Probably one of the most overpriced GW I have ever been to. To start off, im not a huge fan of goodwills. dont get me wrong, goodwill has an amazing selection of items and treasures to be found. so whats the problem you ask? well first off, goodwill is a for profit organization, which means not all of the money goes directly to help people. just take a second and go google GW ceos salary and youll see the perfect epitamy of the corruption of charity organization. second, GWs have jacked up their prices ever since thifting became cool («much love to mackelmore!»). this store is the perfect example of what GW has evolved into. Not only was the selection of items pathetically meager (extremely over picked), they were extremely overpriced. I found a half used tube of bath and body works hand sanitizer priced at almost retail! My mom found a used candle marked up for around the same price. What is this? I know the money goes (somewhat) to a good cause but this is straight up robbery! Most people who shop at goodwill are people who don’t have alot of money to spend and want to find a good deal. To me, goodwill is going against everything it stands for when they jack up prices like that. Stop being greedy and go back to your roots of helping the less fortunate.
–_​_​_​_​– we all know the profits earned goes to line the pockets of the fat cat CEOs of goodwill. Situations like this is exactly what makes me seek out independent non-​profit thrift shops.

I know Goodwill mostly through the giving end of things. For years I’ve dropped off loads of stuff at this marvelous receptacle of things I no longer want or need. I give things not needed; someone gets things needed. Perfect.
Long ago I heard about someone who found, at a Goodwill or Salvation Army Store, a bunch of old maps of Paris in the 1800s. They were worth millions. I’ve always had a fantasy of finding such a treasure in plain sight (aren’t they all). Saturday I decided to check out the retail end of the business to you know, see if I could find my maps.
No maps on this trip, but I was blown away by the efficiency of the system going on in there. Well lit, well organized and easy to use. And the prices — holy shit! $ 11 bucks for a suit??? I wasn’t shopping for a suit, but someone is — someone who has that big interview where sharkskin could make THE difference.
Housewares, clothes, electronics, toys, sundries, etc. It’s all there including… old albums, CDs and DVDs — oh yeah and VCRs :-). I poured over the albums: Herb Alpert, Berl Ives (Little Bitty Tear) — Oh dude that brings back the memories, Helen Reddy (Greatest Hit — I Am Woman, 1971) — the more things change the more they stay the same. In the end, I scored several DVDs including John Waters Hairspray for $ 2.99 baybee — that’s right…$ 2.99.
It doesn’t matter if you’re involved in the giving or getting end of Goodwill. Just get involved.
As I left, I thought about those maps. It would be like winning the lottery, except you wouldn’t be winning from the State, you’d be winning from an organization that does a lot of good in the world. I’m guessing it would be pretty hard to cash that check. I said it would be difficult… not impossible ;-)

Very very very crappy item selection. Looks like this goodwill has no brand names. Lots of old, crap with stains and looks like all the good stuff is going with workers home or through the back door. Terrible shoes, very old with thorn soles, stain filled shirts, very very old items that I won’t even put out if I had a garage sale. I’d just throw them away.

I used to love coming into these stores and searching for little treasures or a good deal on something we could use. Everything cost less than a few dollars and I was helping the less fortunate. Those days seem to be gone. This store, as well as the one in Westfield have started pricing her items at the same cost or higher than the retail stores and there isn’t a needy worker in any of the stores. The point of these stores is in the name GOODWILL. So who is benefiting? They aren’t helping anyone but their pocketbooks and the less fortunate have lost a source of employment and low cost goods that once helped them. I won’t donate my household items to this place anymore. Its not helping anyone anymore. Total shame.

Relatively new store. Clean and well organized. Shelves are neat/​tidy compared to the Goodwill stores further south in Marion County.
To get here, from 82^nd Street, turn North on Center Run Road, or turn North into the parking lot right at Denny’s.
They are located next to Sam Ash (and Dollar Tree) in the same group of stores where Sapporo is located. You can NOT get here directly from Castleton Square Mall proper. You have to get back to 82^nd street, THEN, turn north