Goodwill Industries of Northers Illinois Announces Grand Opening of New Woodstock Store October 22

October 14, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois Announces Grand Opening of New Woodstock Store October 22

The over 21,000 square-foot store will offer shoppers a spacious, welcoming environment filled with affordable clothing, home goods, books, furniture and other unique finds. The location will also feature a convenient donation center, employ 40 individuals, and serve as home to future Goodwill mission programs designed to help individuals overcome barriers to employment and build brighter futures.

“We’re excited to open our doors in Woodstock and become part of this wonderful community,” said Ben Bernsten, President of Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois. “Whether you’re stopping in to find great deals or making a donation, every visit helps create opportunities right here in McHenry County.  We can’t wait for everyone to see the new store.”

Three Days of Grand Opening Celebrations

Goodwill invites the community to join in the festivities throughout grand opening weekend:

Thursday, October 22 | Grand Opening Day | Doors Open at 9:00 a.m.

The celebration kicks off with free Goodwill reusable shopping bags for the first 500 customers, Goodwill gift card giveaways and a chance to win a $200 Goodwill shopping spree.

Friday, October 23 | Community Day

The festivities continue with a special live appearance by STAR 105.5 FM from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., local gift card giveaways and a food truck.

Saturday, October 24 | Family Day

Families are invited to enjoy a fun-filled day featuring Halloween goodie bags for kids, a stuffed animal giveaway, a food truck, special performance by Magician Zack Percell at 10:00 a.m., and an appearance from Woodstock Willie at 11:00 a.m.

The Woodstock store joins Goodwill's existing McHenry County locations in McHenry, Huntley, Crystal Lake and Algonquin, further expanding convenient shopping and donation opportunities for area residents.

As a leader in helping individuals overcome barriers to employment, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois serves an estimated 30,000 people annually throughout Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Through a wide range of education, job training and employment services, Goodwill empowers individuals to build skills, gain confidence, achieve greater independence, and create brighter futures for themselves and their families.

Revenue generated through Goodwill's retail stores and donations helps support these life-changing programs, making every purchase and donation an investment in the community.

ABOUT THE GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois is a community-based not-for-profit organization whose mission is to create opportunities for individuals with barriers to enhance their lives. Goodwill funds job training programs, employment placement services, and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in its 13 retail stores located in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. In 2025, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois served 29,750 people in the communities in which we reside and employed over 800 people in retail and mission programs.  A second continuous three-year CARF Accreditation was awarded to Goodwill for its employment programs in 2024, which is official recognition that the organization is guided by internationally recognized service standards and best practices. Goodwill stores are located in northern Illinois (Rockford, Machesney Park, Freeport, Sterling, DeKalb, Ottawa, McHenry, Huntley, Crystal Lake, Algonquin, and Woodstock) and Beloit, Wisconsin. For more information, visit our website at www.goodwillni.org.

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