Goodwill plans Brunswick store, some opposed to idea

Some retailers fear second-hand shop will tarnish Brunswick’s reputation and hurt business

“We just can’t compete,“ she said.

Executives with Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley planned to speak this morning at an Economic Development Commission breakfast about plans to locate in Brunswick. Tynan, who ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 2005 and is now president of the Brunswick Railroad museum, said she would attend the meeting to oppose and question the proposal.

“It seems like the city has been working behind the scenes with Goodwill,“ Tynan said. “There are several concerned residents who are not pleased. We feel a Goodwill store perpetuates the notion of Brunswick as a depressed community. And we’ve had such an effort over the last few years to dispel that notion and to build up the reputation of Brunswick as a destination.“

Dan Kurtenbach, CEO and president of Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, was scheduled to discuss about how Goodwill was searching for a good location and how the nonprofit has been faring in other communities. Kurtenbach said he was unaware of any resistance from the local business community.

“People who go in Goodwill and shop understand the reason why Goodwill exists — to support programs that help people with disabilities get jobs,“ Kurtenbach said. “One of the main things we want to bring to Brunswick is our programs. Providing any number of skill sets people need to get a job would be part of our footprint.“

Kurtenbach, who has been attending Brunswick’s Main Street Maryland meetings for two years, said he thought Goodwill could fill a niche in the city of nearly 5,000. More than 1,040 Brunswick residents had disabilities in 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Nationwide, roughly 19 percent of the population has disabilities, compared with 23 percent in Brunswick.

Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, which served roughly 1,800 people with developmental disabilities in Frederick and Carroll counties in the past few years, already assists several Brunswick residents with disabilities daily. A Goodwill bus transports them to jobs or programs at one of three locations in Frederick County: one in Thurmont and two in the city of Frederick.

“I’ve been attending [Main Street] meetings for the past two years to get a sense of the community and businesses,“ Kurtenbach said. “We believe in being part of that community. I hope the presentation will show what Goodwill does mean, and what types of impacts we have.“

Brunswick mayor Carroll Jones said the city has not solicited Goodwill, but merely allowed its executives, who have been attending Economic Development Commission breakfasts for the past two years, an opportunity to discuss concept plans.

“The city is not involved in the process,“ Jones said. “I would see no reason there would be a refusal for any other business that wants to speak. We would extend that courtesy.“

Jones said he thought Goodwill would “probably take some offense“ to charges that its presence would mar the city’s reputation of undertaking revitalization efforts.

“They feel like they provide some services,“ Jones said. “They are going through the process just like everyone else. I’m not even going to respond to some of [Tynan’s] charges. It’s a damn insult to the process. ... You have to ask yourself, ‘Is Catherine about her business or about Brunswick?’“

For a new business venture, Frederick County issues occupancy and business permits, while Brunswick issues a zoning permit or a zoning exemption, if needed. Jones said Goodwill would not be locating in the historic district near Tynan’s shop, due to lack of space.

“This is America. Free enterprise plays a role here,“ Jones said. “There’s no threshold that you come to a city and say, ‘Do you like my business?’“

Carrie Perkins and Naomi Everett, owners of Pixie Dust in Brunswick, are selling their children’s consignment store this month to Brunswick resident Allison Wilder, a teacher at Poolesville High. Wilder said the store will retain its name and second-hand children’s merchandise, but Perkins feared it would not be able to compete with Goodwill.

“It’s a difficult thing: the thought of them coming here,“ Perkins said. “Goodwill, Wal-Mart, Target. Those types of larger stores will hurt small mom- and-pop shops. ... The concern is: Why would the city want to host Goodwill knowing full well the ramifications of having that business here? As a small-business owner, this feels like a slap in the face.“

Michelle Tuwiner, who moved to Brunswick last summer and joined the Main Street board in January, also opposed a local Goodwill branch as “not the best business“ to attract to Brunswick.

“Their business model is a nonprofit,“ Turwiner said. “Our local businesses cannot compete.“

Diane Ellis, owner of Sundance Art & Frame on Potomac Street, said most business owners downtown were open to learning more about Goodwill’s plans. She called the suggestion that Goodwill would have a damaging impact on Brunswick’s economic reputation “absurd.“

“Goodwill has a good reputation nationally,“ Ellis said. “I don’t understand why anyone would think it would have a negative effect [on Brunswick]. I think it’s perfectly appropriate they are presenting their preliminary plans. ... It’s hard to understand why any business should feel threatened.“

Brunswick held the first of several meetings on developing an economic development strategy plan on Tuesday. Jones said the city will hold public comment sessions before developing an action plan on a variety of economic goals.

shoppers and donors

17 percent of Goodwill shoppers have incomes above $50,000.

46 percent of Goodwill donors have incomes above $70,000.

The number of young shoppers is increasing.

50 percent of Goodwill shoppers have college degrees.

25 percent of customers shop monthly.

Most Goodwill shoppers also shop at other consignment shops.

Source: Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley Inc.