After being closed 5 months, Goodwill reopens on Monday

WASHINGTON - The Washington Goodwill is reopening on Monday, with extra precautions in place to protect against COVID-19.

Goodwill of the Heartland announced on Wednesday afternoon that the Washington store will reopen on Dec. 14.

Brent Watkins, creative services manager for Iowa City-based Goodwill of the Heartland, said due to the pandemic and its impact on operations, the Washington store closed for logistical reasons in July.

The store is now able to reopen, and Watkins said he appreciates the support of the community.

According to the Goodwill of the Heartland website, the following precautions will be in place.

' Face masks are required.

' Plastic sneeze guards are at the cash registers.

' No-touch donation drop-off.

' Sanitized carts

' Dressing rooms are closed.

Due to staffing, the Washington store will be limiting the number of customers allowed in the store to maintain proper social distancing.

'We appreciate everyone's patience and support,” Watkins said.

Watkins added: 'We have a no-touch donations drop-off where donors place their sorted donations directly into boxes.”

If people need assistance with donations, a Goodwill team member will be available. Those donating will be required to wear a mask.

The store hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

When the store closed in July, Goodwill officials said that the plan was to reopen in September. Goodwill of the Heartland operates several Goodwill locations throughout eastern Iowa, including Washington, Fairfield, Muscatine, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. The Washington store was the last to reopen.

'We have had to reallocate our resources as part of our logistics and organizational needs,” Watkins said recently. 'The pandemic has impacted our operation in many different ways.”