PORT TOWNSEND — Construction along Upper Sims Way that closed access to Howard Street has taken a big bite out of donations and sales at the Port Townsend Goodwill store.
Store Manager Kimberly Fulginiti wants to make it clear to donors and customers that the store at 602 Howard St. is open for business. Access is via Cliff Street off Sims, a block east of Howard.
Since Howard Street at Sims was closed March 8 for construction of a roundabout — the main entrance to Port Townsend Business Park — donations and sales have declined by nearly half, Fulginiti said.
“When they closed, there were 85 donations the Monday before,” she said, adding that only 47 donations were made to the store on Monday this week.
“If we’re not getting donations, we can’t process to get it to the floor for customers.”
That ultimately affects the store’s revenue stream that supports 25 employees.
Last month, the store received nearly 92,000 pounds of donations based on about 1,600 visits — both those figures are expected to be down this month.
Sales also dropped about 20 percent on the same day, Fulginiti said.
The store plans a one-day sale March 27 in hopes of making up for proceeds that support Goodwill’s programs.
The nonprofit store accepts donations of gently used clothes, shoes and household items with funds raised toward the agency’s job training and placement programs.
Donations can be made at a drive-through drop off door on the south side of the building.
Fulginiti said she believes the roundabout could very well be an asset to the store once it is completed, steering cars into the business park and giving the store more visibility.
But until then, she just wants to get the word out that its business as usual at Goodwill.
Seton Construction of Jefferson County was paving the first quarter of the new roundabout at Sims and Howard on Tuesday.
Work is scheduled to be complete at the Howard/Sims intersection by April 2, said city of Port Townsend officials who contracted the Upper Sims streetscape and widening project between Howard and Thomas streets.
“The need for donations doesn’t stop because of road construction,” said Terry A. Hayes, CEO of Tacoma Goodwill, which oversees the Port Townsend and Port Angeles stores, and a 15-county service area.
“This is usually the best time of year for us to receive items as people go through spring cleaning. Even a single bag can make a difference.”
The Goodwill store is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
To contact the store, phone 360-385-6600.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.