Obama book among the finds

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Like the phoenix, the Etobicoke Goodwill store has risen from the ashes of a devastating $1-million fire last October.

Store employees busily filled clothes racks and book shelves in anticipation of the June 19 official reopening of the Dundas Street West-Islington Avenue store.

"Come and support us, bring your donations, shop for fantastic, fashionable items, help Goodwill provide jobs to people in your community " Goodwill spokesperson Mitzie Hunter said, amid the bustle of activity. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting us."

Support from the landlord, sponsors and the community rebuilt the store, Hunter said.

The rebuilt store features new signage, and importantly, new security upgrades including cameras, increased lighting and fencing to cordon off the loading dock behind the store where investigators believe the blaze started.

There has been no arrests in the case.

The blaze forced Goodwill to close the 16,000-square-foot store, its second largest in Toronto.

Yet, loyal donors flocked to a heated temporary donation trailer set up on-site. Many gifted the displaced employees with their customary offerings of coffee or lunch, said employee Patrick Holtom, who worked the trailer for seven months.

"It's great to work here. You meet all kinds of interesting people every day," said Holtom, a Goodwill employee for four years. "They always seem to bring their good cheer with them, as well as their goodwill. It's like a family here."

Sixteen employees returned to the store, and another 10 have been hired.

Goodwill offers paid work opportunities and skills development for people who face barriers to employment, including people with disabilities, youth at-risk and people who are chronically unemployed.

Holtom said "regulars" often spend a good portion of their day hunting for treasures through the centre's racks of quality, often new, clothes, housewares and books.

Two socio-economic strata border the neighbourhood: the affluent of The Kingsway, as well as a high population of new immigrants and seniors.

More than 3,900 donors visit and make 10,000 transactions monthly at the popular Islington Village store.

Discounts abound. T-shirts are $1.99 and up. Long- and short-sleeve blouses sell for $5.49 and up. A nearly new copy of the best-selling What to Expect When You're Expecting is marked $2.49.

Even a pristine copy of U.S. presidential hopeful Democratic Senator Barack Obama's new hardcover book, The Audacity of Hope, can be found on the shelves marked $5.99.

A rebuilding fund launched by Goodwill after the blaze has collected $50,000, far shy of its $500,000 goal. To donate to the rebuilding fund, visit www.goodwill.on.ca or call 416-362-4711.