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After being closed for 10 days to finish off a four-month remodel, Ashland’s Goodwill staged a grand opening Friday, celebrating increased floor space, a rearranged, easy-to-shop layout, higher ceilings and a larger production and storage area, connected to a new, covered drop-off port, now at the rear of the building. “It’s magnificent, really beautiful, clean and neat, with a totally organized look and a pretty garden out front,” says shopper Kathleen Soley, who worked there in 2002. “They were talking about doing all this back then and it’s taken all that time to do it. The people working here are fabulous, too.” The shop, located on Tolman Creek Road next to Bi-Mart, stayed open during most of the remodel, which included taking down the inside east wall and letting retail occupy the old production area. Adroit Construction did the work. “The old layout had more wasted space than you can believe,” says manager Terrie Mickey. “This one feels bigger, has more windows and natural light. We got rid of the drop ceiling. It’s easier for us to remember where everything is. No employee is displeased with anything.” Employee Ashley Washburn notes that “customers say it’s beautiful, a much-needed facelift.” Goodwill assistant manager Gregory Krug says, “It’s got a lot better feng shui now. Everything flows.” Worker Caley O’Brien says, “It feels much bigger. Stuff is easier to see and it’s not cramped like it was.” Another employee, Kathleen Lashonse observes, “It presents nicely. You have a view of everything and it’s a nice feeling when you walk in.” Goodwill in Ashland has a close relationship with the other Goodwills in the valley, says Krug. A semi-truck arrives daily to pick up what other shops need and drop off what Ashland needs. “Donations stay in the valley,” he says. “It’s weird. We have a very busy donations port and a small floor space, compared to the others. We have an eclectic population of rich people, college students, artisans and whatever the soup mix is here, it’s very popular with shoppers.” Retail space is upped by about a third now, he adds. The checkout is now a long counter at the entry. Clerks ask whether shoppers want to “round up” to a higher amount, noting that the money will go directly to those affected by the Camp fire in Paradise, California. The fundraising effort goes on to the end of November, after which it reverts to the veterans, GED and other programs. Reach Ashland freelance writer John Darling at [email protected] .