FOLEY – Crowds gathered Tuesday, Sept. 23, to celebrate the opening of Goodwill Gulf Coast’s new 50,000-square-foot center on East Azalea Avenue in Foley.

The state-of-the-art facility brings multiple services together under one roof, including a retail store, outlet store, donation center, training center and opportunity center. This is the only location in Goodwill Gulf Coast’s 10-county service area to combine all of these resources in one place.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich joined Goodwill leaders and the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce to welcome the new center, which opened less than a year after its groundbreaking in October 2024.

“We are so appreciative of Goodwill opening this mega-facility here in Foley,” Mayor Hellmich said. “It’s a full-service facility doing God’s work. You said you would complete it in a year, and you did. We thank you for serving our community, and we look forward to all that this center will provide.”

Frank Harkins, president and chief executive officer of Goodwill Gulf Coast, said the Foley location will offer life-changing opportunities for local residents.

“Goodwill is more than a thrift store,” Harkins said. “We provide services that help people find their purpose in life. Last year, we helped more than 14,000 people, and we are excited to continue that mission here in Foley. This community is filled with good people, and this partnership will be a great one.”

Goodwill Gulf Coast currently operates 11 retail stores, two outlet stores, 10 donation centers and six opportunity centers across southwest Alabama and northwest Florida. Ninety cents of every dollar the organization spends goes directly to programs and services that include job training, workforce development, early childhood preparation, and support for individuals and families facing medical, financial, or disability challenges.

In the 2024 fiscal year alone, Goodwill Gulf Coast provided more than 23,000 services to nearly 14,500 people of all ages and abilities.

The new Foley center is expected to become a hub of opportunity and community support for residents across Baldwin County and beyond.