Goodwill to open Dec. 18 on Longboat Key

The first Goodwill on the barrier island of Longboat Key will open Thursday, Dec. 18, with a ribbon-cutting and book signing by a local author.

Newly built at 3160 Gulf of Mexico Drive, the 3,500-square-foot building will be a donation drop-off location and used bookstore. Customers will be welcomed at 8 a.m. Thursday, and the store will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be opening this location on Longboat Key, which will offer a wonderful selection of lightly used books as well as a convenient place to drop off all types of donations,” said Donn Githens, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “The average donation provides more than three hours of job training and opportunities, directly helping individuals to build job skills and improve economic stability.”

According to a press release, the Longboat Key location will bring seven new jobs to Longboat Key.

Local author Beth Rice will be on-site for a book signing and book giveaway at the grand opening celebration. Rice has been published in “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books three times, authored a children’s book titled “I’m Adopted, I’m Special,” and most recently self-published “Behind the Receptionist’s Desk.”