ROTTERDAM Board gives Goodwill Industries green light Thrift shop expects to open in August BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Town planners approved changes to a large retail space in the Hannaford Plaza that will allow Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey to open its fourth and largest retail store in the Capital Region. Members of the Planning Board approved a waiver of site plan review for changes to the rear of the building, where the thrift shop intends to install an additional public entrance. The new entrance is expected to serve as the donation drop-off area for the organization, one of the largest recyclers of used goods in New York. Previously, the planners expressed concern over the changes due to concerns over the retailer’s hours of operation and their donation process. But after several board members visited store locations in Colonie and Amsterdam, the planners were comfortable with allowing the project to move forward without further review. “They run a pretty tight ship,” said town Planner Peter Comenzo. “Their operation is pretty clean and we didn’t see any issues with it.” Comenzo said Goodwill Industries cited August as a prospective opening date. Mauricio Hernandez, Goodwill Industries’ senior vice president for retail sales, declined to discuss the organization’s newest location, but confirmed their interest in the plaza off Altamont Avenue. “It’s a property we are considering,” he said. “We like the area and we like fact that it’s a nice sized box.” The shopping plaza is owned by Nigro Companies of Albany. The space was previously leased by Joanne Fabrics, which left the plaza about six years ago. Goodwill Industries operates about 30 locations across the state, including Capital Region stores in Amsterdam, Colonie and Troy. The vacant spot at Hannaford Plaza comes with more than 19,700 square feet of space, which would make the store the largest in the Capital Region. Goodwill Industries would also become the only thrift shop in Rotterdam, after a City Mission location on Hamburg Street closed several years ago. Comenzo said the store will operate seven days a week, with shortened hours on Sundays. He said the planning board also asked that the rear entrance be covered. “And they agreed to do that,” he said.
I'm tellin' ya...it's good competition for Wal-Mart! Hannaford Plaza will end up being just one big garage sale/flea market if it keeps bringing in these high quality businesses for the people from the 'city'.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
As I've said, interesting grouping of businesses. Walmart, a rental center, A thrift shop, and a laundromat. Actually, add AJ Wright into that mix
Why couldnt' this "goodwill" place look to Schenectady, like someplace in Mt Pleasant or in Hamilton Hill on Albany St? How about the old furniture store on Eastern Ave, or maybe in the old Annie Shafer Center. It could probably be good near the new Y.
They best clean up after themselves behind the store, that's the entrance to the plaza. There's going to be some traffic problems too. Look how many make that illegal left turn now at the rear exit there.
And why do they need a rear public entrance? I don't think the neighbors are going to appreciate the scenery like that
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
Hey, they could have moved into the former Sears hardware in Cross town plaza
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
The back entrance is for emergency use and the banks are there too....need other avenues.....3 banks and thrift shop and walmart.... hhhhmmmm...those folks must be the "underserved and without banks"......walmart is poised to strike and set a new precedence......although they weren't the one's who set the precedence to begin with.......someone drew the line in the sand deeper and longer....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Hey...is everyone gearing up for the brandie new thrift store to hit Rotterdam the beginning of August? I wonder if the residents for Guilderland, Clifton Park, Voorheesville, Glenville, Colonie and other surrounding communities will be here for the grand opening.
Probably not...the customers will just walk out of Wal-marts door and into the new thrift store. And visa versa. Ya know...the 'unbanked' and the 'underserved'?
I do want to say one thing here...I am not trying to be disrespectful of anyone who shops at Walmart or a thrift store. There are many many hard working folks out there that truly do work hard at their job and raising a family, not to mention seniors as well, but who can not afford certain things at regular cost. I am NOT referring to these folks. I just feel that Walmart uses them for their own gain. I truly do not believe that Walmart is building these beasts with the customer's or the communities best interest at hand.
As far as the new thrift shop...I would have liked to see something a little more high end go there. Let's mix up the bag a little. Be a bit more diverse!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
No ,,,,,I caught the jist of the clothing to be had for the new season and it was 'cat walked' all over jay street,........fine with me.....I hate shopping...especially for clothes....I leave that for the likes of Paris Hilton, American Idol, The Grammy's etc......but,,,,,,, I will be straight in telling the fact the thought process is "if the store is 'second hand' then the area is 'second hand'......let's see who takes the reigns on that one and 'does right by Hamburg street'.....since the 'advertising' is so off center,,,,,it is truly unbelieveable........sell the 'study' on the use of the internet/computers in our town....the ratio of the educated compared to other areas.....hello,I am educated and have $$ to spend....we are a congested area with education...we may not have the 'FRONT PEW'...but we are worth our weight in gold...........................................................................................................................................
ANGER......not fear,,,is another way to sway folks...............................................................................................................................................
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
I'm not entirely sure this is GOOD for the area as this type of store tends to draw more undesireables to the area.
What's happening to Altamont Ave these days? The old Cinelli's (now Citgo) closed, rather unexpectedly, Mobil closed (then reopened), Quizno's is gone, Dollar General is gone, First Class Products moved out, I hear the Beverage Center may be in negotiations to sell, the Edgewood still sits vacant, Capital Plaza looks like hell, About the only new thing over there is "Weight Watchers" in the old Radio Shack at Price Chopper plaza.
Hey...is everyone gearing up for the brandie new thrift store to hit Rotterdam the beginning of August? I wonder if the residents for Guilderland, Clifton Park, Voorheesville, Glenville, Colonie and other surrounding communities will be here for the grand opening.
Probably not...the customers will just walk out of Wal-marts door and into the new thrift store. And visa versa. Ya know...the 'unbanked' and the 'underserved'?
I do want to say one thing here...I am not trying to be disrespectful of anyone who shops at Walmart or a thrift store. There are many many hard working folks out there that truly do work hard at their job and raising a family, not to mention seniors as well, but who can not afford certain things at regular cost. I am NOT referring to these folks. I just feel that Walmart uses them for their own gain. I truly do not believe that Walmart is building these beasts with the customer's or the communities best interest at hand.
As far as the new thrift shop...I would have liked to see something a little more high end go there. Let's mix up the bag a little. Be a bit more diverse!
I bet the two clothing stores plus WalMart are not happy to have Goodwill as their new neighbor
Funny...that's what I said too.....It may be too much competition for Walmart. Perhaps that is why Walmart is going through a face lift right now. Althought I heard that some other Walmart's are doing the same. I guess they are trying to change their image. Well, that is all well and good, but they need to change their WAY OF DOING BUSINESS. There are 'undesirables' all over Altamont ave and into Crane Street. And the taxi cabs are going down Curry Rd now too! With undesirable pedestrians as well.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
New Goodwill Superstore and Donation Center Coming to Rotterdam 1400 Altamont Ave corner of Crane and Altamont Ave. Mon-Sat 10am-8pm Sun 10am-7pm Opening August 30th The store is now accepting donations 355-4265
I saw the ad, came in the mail. If I remember correctly, there's one of these stores already over in Albany, at the corner of Central and Fuller? Has anyone every been in there? From the outside, it actually looks pretty nice, I think it's in a previous CVS there.
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