New Goodwill store to serve as an anchor for community recovery from tornado

Paul Welitzkin, The Petoskey News-Review
·4 min read

GAYLORD — The opening of a completely rebuilt Goodwill store marks another step in Gaylord's comeback from the devastating tornado that ripped through the area on May 20, 2022.

"I was a little hesitant to come back but this is good. It's a return to normal life and that is a good thing," said Jessica Butler of Elmira, who was working in the old store when the storm hit and recalls "a lot of noise and chaos."

In addition to Butler, her colleague Cheryl Kobylinski of Gaylord also returned when the new facility reopened to the public on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

This was the Goodwill store on West Main Street on May 21, 2022, a day after a tornado slammed into Gaylord.
This was the Goodwill store on West Main Street on May 21, 2022, a day after a tornado slammed into Gaylord.

"We were in the back processing merchandise to the sales floor. Our phones went off with an alert. It was scary because a co-worker and I couldn't get to a safe room. We found customers (standing) against a wall as debris swirled around us," Kobylinski said. "I am excited we have the new building but I also still have memories of what happened."

Kevin Arnold of Gaylord is another Goodwill staffer who will return. Goodwill had opened a new building in Gaylord just seven months before the tornado and he said customers followed Goodwill into yet another new location down Main Street next to ABC Warehouse after the storm destroyed that building.

From left, Cheryl Kobylinski of Gaylord, Kevin Arnold of Gaylord and Jessica Butler of Elmira, at the new Goodwill store on West Main Street in Gaylord. All three were in the old store when it was damaged by a tornado on May 20, 2022.
From left, Cheryl Kobylinski of Gaylord, Kevin Arnold of Gaylord and Jessica Butler of Elmira, at the new Goodwill store on West Main Street in Gaylord. All three were in the old store when it was damaged by a tornado on May 20, 2022.

"They discovered our new location and we were comfortable there," said Arnold. "But this is like returning home for us. I think it represents a return to normalcy."

Rachel North, Goodwill's director of communications and marketing, said they are proud of the Gaylord team.

"We are so proud of our Gaylord team that endured the tornado and could have let that be the end. But instead, they came together, supported each other and our mission and launched the pop-up to keep working in Gaylord," she said. "And now the Gaylord team is committed to breaking records there together."

Joshua Olds is Goodwill's director of donated goods and he said finally settling into this facility will be good for customers and the staff.

"Everyone loves a fresh new Goodwill store. We have had to move several times so it will be nice to be in one spot for awhile," he said. "The building will have fresh merchandise and the staff will be overjoyed to have a home base. I hope we don't have to move them again."

The completely refurbished Goodwill store on West Main Street is now open.
The completely refurbished Goodwill store on West Main Street is now open.

Olds reminds everyone of why shopping at Goodwill is a way to help many in the community.

"When you purchase something from Goodwill you are not just buying that merchandise, you are supporting our community programs," noted Olds.

These include the following:

  • Every year, Goodwill provides $65,000 of its Good Partner vouchers to Otsego County neighbors facing emergencies, allowing them to select what they need from the store shelves for free.

  • The Gaylord store supports more than 15 full- and part-time jobs.

  • At Patriot Place in Gaylord, Goodwill has provided transitional housing for up to two years for 44 veterans.

Joshua Olds of Goodwill said a purchase at the Gaylord store provides benefits to other community programs in the area.
Joshua Olds of Goodwill said a purchase at the Gaylord store provides benefits to other community programs in the area.

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"It is so wonderful to have stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army in Otsego County. These nonprofits use a workforce model that strives to solve community problems. I am impressed by Goodwill's tenacity; right after the disaster, despite their store being destroyed, (the) administration in Traverse City ensured survivors had vouchers to shop at other local locations, plus they quickly opened a temporary spot," said Erin Mann, the disaster recovery coordinator for the Gaylord Long Term Recovery Group.

"I also like to use these celebrations as a moment to remind the community that mitigation and preparation for the next disaster cannot go to the wayside. Otsego County is extremely resilient, but resilience can't protect us from the next catastrophe as only preparedness can. The Gaylord Long Term Recovery Group is transitioning into this phase, where we will be working hard to ensure that Otsego County and its residents are prepared for the next disaster," said Mann.

The May 20 tornado touched down about six miles south of Elmira in Antrim County. The tornado strengthened as it crossed Otsego County, becoming an EF-3 with maximum winds of 150 mph in and around the city of Gaylord. Two died and 44 were injured and the storm produced millions of dollars in property damage.

— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: New Goodwill store to serve as an anchor for community recovery from tornado