By Gwen Davis

The new Tukwila Value Village thrift store celebrated its official grand opening and VIP shopping event on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Hundreds of early-bird shoppers waited for hours in long lines that stretched throughout the large Southcenter parking lot. Doors opened at 6 p.m. The thrift store is located at the old Toys R Us building, 16700 Southcenter Pkwy. Value Village also has a store in Burien at 131 S.W. 157th St.

The special shopping event allowed Halloween costumers to get a sneak peak of the store and the chance to shop its varied merchandise before it opened to the public on Thursday, Sept. 29.

"There's a lot of selection always getting to the sales floor day in and day out," said Jeremy Lamb, store manager. "It's one of those stores you have to check back regularly to make sure you're seeing the freshest stuff."

The new Value Village facility is the fourth largest store in the company, with 30,000 square feet. The store will put out 10,000 to 12,000 items a day.

Value Village partners with other nonprofit organizations that supply the merchandise for the store, including the primary supplier, Northwest Center.

"Value Village is buying their products from nonprofits like the Northwest Center," said Tom Everill, president and CEO of the Northwest Center and speaker at the Tuesday event. "It's a business relationship. We, like Value Village, are social enterprise organizations. We use business strategies to create social good."

Value Village was founded in 1954. It now partners with more than 140 nonprofit alliances across the US, Canada and Australia. Customers enjoy Value Village for both the vast selection of merchandise and the meaningful sense that they are making a difference. Individuals of all backgrounds make up the store's clientele.

Various shoppers on Tuesday said they were pleased with the new shopping hub, due to increased convenience.

"I usually shop at the Kent location," said opening night attendee and Federal Way resident Michael Fellows. "But I'll be able to stop off on my way home from work." Others expressed their pride and commitment to the company.

"My daughter loves working here," said Teresa Paige, opening night attendee and Skyway resident. "This is the first job she's worked."

Value Village stores supply clothing, housewares, collectibles and furniture. New and used merchandise alike are sold. In the past 50 years, Value Village has grown to more than 270 stores, and has paid more than $1 billion to local nonprofits over the past 10 years.

The social and business benefits of Value Village are strong. Not only do costumers in the US have access to large quantities of high-quality commodities, but many individuals in developing countries do as well, according store officials. The environment is also bettered due to waste reduction and natural resource conservation.

"We know how to do business in this society," Everill said. "Both of these companies do it with the intention of promoting a common goal."