Skip to main content

Grand Reopening of St. Paul Midway Store

A celebration of community resilience as thrift store rebuilds and reopens after just 60+ days

Grand Reopening of St. Paul Midway Store

2020-08-12 13:30:00

We are proud to announce the reopening of our St. Paul store located at 1239 University Ave. West in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul. As one of the businesses heavily damaged in recent unrest, this store is among the first Midway businesses to reopen, having rebuilt in just over 60 days. 

"The reopening of Goodwill Midway marks an important step in rebuilding for our community," said Mayor Melvin Carter. "Goodwill's continued leadership and partnership amid the ongoing public health and economic crisis will help ensure no one gets left behind."

The store is one of the largest of our retail locations in the Twin Cities, with two floors and nearly double the square footage of a typical store. Displaced St. Paul store employees were accommodated during the rebuilding: some worked at our main campus just down University Avenue processing donations to refill the St. Paul store and all employees were paid during the reconstruction.

“The Midway neighborhood was deeply affected by the unrest in May, and we have been part of this community for over 100 years since our founding in 1919. There was no question we would come together and rebuild,” said Michael Wirth-Davis, Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota president and CEO. “We are committed to supporting the Midway community, to offering services that help connect people to jobs and to speaking out against systemic racism and injustice.”

“Goodwill has been an important part of our community for more than 100 years, providing sustainable and affordable shopping, keeping items out of landfills, and offering career development programs to expand access to work and independence for many who have traditionally been unable to participate in the workforce,” said Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04). “As the Midway neighborhood rebuilds, the store’s safe reopening is an indicator of our community’s resilience.”

“Goodwill is an important part of the Midway community,” said Chad Kulas, executive director of the Midway Chamber of Commerce. “The store provides affordable clothing and home goods, while taking donations that help keep items out of Minnesota landfills. As the Midway neighborhood begins to heal, this reopening demonstrates Goodwill’s remarkable progress and pace in helping rebuild this vital part of St. Paul.”

Photos from the reopening celebration on August 7

Mayor Melvin Carter

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter

Mitra Jalali

St. Paul City Council member Mitra Jalali

Michael Wirth-Davis

GESMN President and CEO Michael Wirth-Davis

Rep. Her

Representative Kaohly Her