Goodwill Opens Fourth Pasadena Store Where Every Purchase Funds Jobs for Vulnerable Populations

Goodwill Southern California is expanding its local presence with a new retail store that transforms shopping into social impact. The nonprofit is set to open its fourth Pasadena location at 1720 E. Colorado Blvd. on Friday, August 22, strategically positioned near Pasadena City College. The store will channel 95% of its sales revenue directly into employment programs for society’s most vulnerable populations.

“We chose to locate this store near Pasadena City College, as Gen Z is driving a boom in thrifting and secondhand shopping. Secondhand clothing is retail’s fastest growing segment in the fashion industry,” said Marla Eby, Director of Marketing and Media Relations at Goodwill Southern California.

The grand opening features a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m., with doors opening at 10 a.m.

Special promotions will run throughout the weekend, including $10 vouchers for the first 50 customers daily, color-tag sales, and prize drawings that include a 65-inch TV.

The store is expected to create 25 to 30 new jobs, bringing Goodwill’s total Pasadena area employment to 80 to 100 people across four locations.

“We expect our new Pasadena Colorado Blvd. retail store to create 25 to 30 new jobs,” Eby confirmed.

“Key groups that we serve include veterans, youth, individuals with disabilities, people who were justice involved (formerly incarcerated), and people without homes,” Eby explained, highlighting the organization’s comprehensive approach to employment support.

Patrick McClenahan, president & CEO of Goodwill Southern California, underscores the broader mission: “Goodwill SoCal stores help fund our nonprofit’s mission to Transform Lives Through the Power of Work, helping people in our community who experience barriers to employment find jobs.”

The new store contributes to Goodwill’s environmental efforts, supporting the organization’s goal of diverting over 165 million pounds of reusable goods from landfills annually. It will operate seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., serving as a gateway to the upcoming America’s Job Center of California, set to open in January in the West San Gabriel Valley.

Founded in 1916, Goodwill Southern California operates over 100 retail stores, boutiques, and donation centers across Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. The organization continues to demonstrate how retail can serve a social mission while meeting market trends.