Nonprofit buys three former DAV properties, but only one is planned to be a new store
Goodwill Industries of Kansas has purchased three former DAV properties, but only one of them so far is planned to be another thrift store.
Six DAV stores unexpectedly closed in September after almost $1 million in losses and failure to file proper IRS forms.
“The DAV is a very important nonprofit that serves veterans, and so this is a way for us to come alongside of them to support their future endeavors to serve this community,” said Goodwill president and CEO Laura Ritterbush.
She won’t disclose the purchase price of the three properties but said the money will benefit veterans that the DAV serves in the Wichita area.
Goodwill will reopen the former DAV near Central and Edgemoor as a Goodwill store early next summer after remodeling it.
Ritterbush said it will take some time because Goodwill also is in the middle of building a new store near 29th North and Greenwich, across from Top Golf.
“We want to make sure we do it right.”
Goodwill also bought former DAV property on South Seneca and George Washington Boulevard, but Ritterbush said she’s not sure how the nonprofit may use those spaces.
“They may not be the best locations for stores.”
She said Goodwill is not taking over the former DAV stores where the nonprofit had leases.
Ritterbush said Goodwill is trying to hire veterans who used to work at DAV stores.
“We’ve really tried to reach out to those employees who were still looking to work in the nonprofit space.”
She said providing jobs is one of the many services Goodwill offers.
“This just provides one more opportunity for us to do that,” she said.
“Goodwill’s more than a thrift store.”
There are seven Goodwill stores in the Wichita metro area and 18 total in the state.
When the new store opens in the former DAV space, the first 90 days of register roundups — the money shoppers donate when they round up their purchases — will go to veterans organizations such as the DAV.
“As we move forward,” Ritterbush said, “we’ll continue to see how we can best partner with them.”
