Cherry Hill, Evesham/Marlton, Medford, Medford Lakes, Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Voorhees and elsewhere near the iconic state highways of Routes 70 and 73.
A plan to convert a closed Rite Aid Pharmacy on Route 73 in Voorhees into a Goodwill Industries thrift shop and donation center got the blessing of the Township Planning Board at its August meeting.
Board members unanimously voted in favor of a change of use for the property at 111 Route 73, near the Lakeside Avenue intersection.
In its application, nonprofit Goodwill Industries of Southern NJ and Philadelphia Inc., based in Maple Shade, stated that the retail thrift shop would sell "gently used" clothing, housewares, linens, electronics, furniture, home medical equipment and toys.
Little would change with the appearance of the site, according to the application.
"At least it's not another Mexican restaurant. Plenty of them around now," one person commented.
Another expressed parking concerns: "I hope it only gets approved as a drop off. There is not enough parking for a Goodwill retail store. Cars will be lining the streets on the weekends and spilling over into the rehab facility which also falls short on parking spaces."
Although application documents reviewed by 70and73.com did not say how many spaces were available, a count from the site plan shows about 75 parking spaces.
One man suggested, tongue in social media cheek: "Why not a storage center…or a car wash? Another Wawa is really needed…better yet we really need another Ott’s in Voorhees!"
Well-established landscaping on the property will "more than adequately provide appropriate coverage and screening," according to a report by Goodwill's professional engineer, Brian S. Peterman of Peterman Maxcy Associates LLC of Gibbsboro.
