FINAL - Feb 4.05

FAQs on Goodwill's Move
from Jarvis and Adelaide

Is Goodwill moving out of its Jarvis Street facilities?
Yes we are and we are very excited about the changes we are making. Goodwill has grown over the past 70 years into much more than a store and as part of our mission to meet the needs of the many clients and communities we serve today, Goodwill is moving its facilities from Jarvis and Adelaide streets to two new locations.

Why is Goodwill moving from the area?
Goodwill will remain in the same area of the city that has been our home for 70 years - we are simply moving up the street to Bloor and Sherbourne. Goodwill has evolved over the years from a small cluster of thrift stores into a network of 47 locations in Ontario, including 32 in the Greater Toronto Area. Our current Jarvis facilities and buildings no longer meet Goodwill's needs as the organization transforms its operations and builds a stronger platform for the services we deliver.

Where is Goodwill moving the Jarvis/Adelaide operations?
As of March 31, 2005, we will move out of Jarvis and relocate Goodwill's operations as follows:

• Goodwill’s Main Store at Jarvis and Adelaide streets will move to 345 Bloor Street East at Sherbourne Street on May 1, 2005. The Jarvis Main retail store and Creative Services group will remain at the Jarvis site during the month of April. Goodwill administrative offices at Jarvis and Adelaide streets will also relocate to 365 Bloor Street East.

• Goodwill's depot and warehouse and Buy the Pound outlet store at Jarvis and Adelaide streets will move to 50 Emblem Court in Scarborough on March 31, 2005.

• Goodwill will maintain a presence at its historic Jarvis-Adelaide location with a nearby donation drop-off centre at the corner of George and Richmond streets at 231 Richmond Street East.

Why did Goodwill sell the Jarvis property?
Our goal is to better meet the needs of the clients and the communities we serve and to keep growing as an organization that is making a real difference. Our current site at Jarvis and Adelaide occupies prime real estate and requires a massive amount of money and resources to run effectively. We believe that the sale, and the opportunities this will create for our future, are the right strategy. We are strongly committed to our mission of helping more people facing employment barriers to enter the work force each year, and this sale gives us the resources, in terms of cash and better facilities, that we need for the future.

How much did Goodwill sell the property for?
We are not at liberty to disclose the selling price of the property today but can say that the closing date of the sale is March 31, 2005.

Who is buying the property?
It was purchased by the development corporation Aspen Ridge.

What are the plans for the property?
The development corporation has launched plans for the site and you should contact them for details.

What are the benefits of the move in terms of day-to-day operations?
Changes that are underway will provide more modern and efficient facilities at several locations and improve access to Goodwill's retail and distribution operations. The current aging downtown facilities are hindered by traffic congestion, a small parking lot with no space for supporters to drop off donations, and a building layout and setup that is inadequate for our current needs and future growth plans. We've outgrown this space and by relocating to two new sites we are improving our efficiency and effectiveness.

How will the new Goodwill Bloor Street store be an improvement over current retail operations at Jarvis?
Goodwill's new store at 345 Bloor St. E. is a first in that it is a mall location that is designed to provide a much more customer friendly shopping environment. The new location also has easier access by TTC as it is right on the Bloor Subway line as well as on major bus routes. We expect this new location to be a big success and to provide valuable input toward Goodwill's plans for future retail locations.

What are the economic benefits of the move to Bloor and Sherbourne?
By improving our retail operations and creating a more customer-friendly shopping environment in a mall setting that is actually a first for Goodwill, our goal is to boost sales and improve overall revenues, which ultimately will give us more opportunities to help those facing employment barriers to enter the workforce. We want Goodwill to grow and we want it to grow stronger.

Was the local community involved in the decision to sell and move?
We have a board that has worked diligently on the changes Goodwill is making in the interests of the organization, its clients and the communities served by us. That said, we always try to remain connected to the communities we serve and in fact we held an initial public meeting in June, 2004. Goodwill will be holding a second community information meeting in Toronto on February 16, 2005, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the St. Lawrence Market North Building, 92 Front St. E., to discuss our plans with community members and hear their suggestions. We are specifically inviting suggestions on how best to maintain a Buy The Pound Store location near Jarvis and Adelaide.

What is the goal of the sale?
Goodwill is a registered charity whose mission is to provide work opportunities to people facing employment barriers. Today we are in the midst of completely transforming operations that will put Goodwill in a better position to meet its core mission of workforce development. To meet our objectives of building a better and more efficient Goodwill, we've decided that the best overall strategy is to sell assets at Jarvis and reinvest the proceeds in overall operations and new facilities better suited to current and future needs.

What is Goodwill going to do with the money it gets from the sale?
Goodwill is a registered charity and in the last few years we have endured government funding cuts amounting to several million dollars, with cuts coming from all three levels of government. To sustain our operations and build for the future, Goodwill is will reinvest the money from the sale to create better facilities and improve our efficiency overall. Proceeds from the sale of the property will also allow Goodwill to improve its processes and systems for the long term. The organization will invest in increasing and improving its donation collection capabilities. It will also use the funds to offer more employment opportunities in various communities, thereby helping more people who face employment barriers.

Will Goodwill maintain its other downtown locations?
Goodwill has a long history in downtown Toronto and we are obviously committed to having a presence there. In addition to our new 345 Bloor St. E. store opening May 1, 2005, our other downtown locations remain the same and are listed below. Click here for a complete list of stores and donations centres.

Media Contact:

Carly Dunster
Director of Administration

Goodwill Industries of Toronto
365 Bloor Street East, 14th Floor
Toronto, ON M4W 3L4

Tel: 416-815-4807

cdunster@goodwill.on.ca