Mers Goodwill to build two new Springfield stores

Last edited 8:51 a.m., Feb. 2, 2016

Mers Goodwill is working to open two new Springfield thrift stores next year.

Company officials said this morning a 14,587-square-foot location at 425 S. Western Ave. is slated for completion in May, followed by a late September opening for its new 15,575-square-foot store at 3151 S. Kansas Expressway.

The Kansas Expressway store, located just south of the intersection of Battlefield Road, would replace Mers Goodwill’s only existing Springfield shop at 520 E. Battlefield Road. New features would include a drive-thru for donations and added parking.

“We believe the Springfield community can support a number of Goodwill stores,” interim President and CEO Dave Kutchback said, noting a goal of four to five locations in the market.

Mers Goodwill Chief Financial Officer Dawayne Barnett said the organization in May bought the Western Avenue land near the intersection of West Bypass and Mount Vernon Street for $700,000. The land on Kansas Expressway was purchased in July for $1.4 million.

Columbia-based Coil Construction is serving as general contractor on the projects designed by Matt Rimiller of Jefferson City-based Rimiller Architects. The stores are projected to cost $2.4 million apiece.

Construction work is slated to start in earnest by the end of the year.

During 2016, Mers Goodwill also plans to relocate its career center on Park Central Square closer to Hammons Field, Kutchback said.