Grand Opening of Goodwill Store | Goodwill Chattanooga

Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area will celebrate the grand opening of its store in LaFayette with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, March 7 at 8:30 a.m. The store will open at 9 a.m. The 111 Mize Street location includes a Goodwill retail store and a Donation Xpress center. This will be the 17th retail store location for Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area.

The local non-profit invites Walker County residents and those in surrounding communities to join them for the grand opening event which will include a ribbon cutting, an appearance by Goodwill’s Smiling G mascot, as well as giveaways and door prizes throughout the day as supplies last.

The store’s hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Goodwill accepts donations during regular store hours.

“We are thrilled to reopen our LaFayette store,” said Gena Weldon, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area. “We are committed to serving Walker County and the other 22 counties in our service area. When people shop or donate to Goodwill, they are changing lives by helping to provide job training and employment opportunities for our most vulnerable citizens.”

Those interested in learning about Goodwill can find more information at goodwillchatt.org.

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New VP of Engagement & Philanthropy, Jim Bartoo

September 24, 2026

Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area is pleased to announce Jim Bartoo as its new Vice President of Engagement and Philanthropy, joining the organization’s senior leadership team as Goodwill continues to grow its presence and mission impact across the region. A Chattanooga native, Bartoo brings more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a strong background in brand development, strategic fundraising, community engagement and storytelling. His career includes senior leadership roles with zoological organizations in Nashville and Columbus, Ohio, as well as earlier experience in television news production in Chattanooga. “Jim has spent his career connecting people to organizations and causes that matter,” said Gena Weldon, President and CEO of Goodwill Chattanooga. “His ability to build relationships, tell meaningful stories and bring people together around a shared purpose makes him a tremendous addition to our leadership team. As Goodwill continues to grow, we want to make sure our community understands not only what we do, but the impact made possible every day through their support.” As Vice President of Engagement and Philanthropy, Bartoo will lead an integrated approach to marketing, communications, public relations, philanthropy, advocacy and community engagement. He will focus on strengthening Goodwill’s relationships throughout the community, growing philanthropic support and more clearly connecting the organization’s retail operations with the mission they help make possible. A key part of that work will be telling the “story behind the store,” how donating and shopping at Goodwill help create opportunities for people through employment, training, education and other mission services. “I’m excited to return to my hometown and join an organization that has been part of this community for more than a century,” said Bartoo. “Goodwill has an incredible story to tell, and I look forward to helping more people understand the impact their donations, purchases, partnerships and philanthropic support can have in the lives of people throughout our region.” Bartoo’s appointment comes as Goodwill continues to expand its mission impact and capabilities across its 23-county service area in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. For more than a century, Goodwill Chattanooga has worked to help people transform potential into opportunity, creating pathways to greater independence, employment, education and economic opportunity.