Goodwill Store a Welcome Addition for Neighboring Businesses

 has been open for nearly five months and business owners in and around the area are singing its praises. 

The discount store is the one of 20 locations for the Milwaukee-based company in Illinois and . 

And while the spike in foot traffic has leveled a bit, many business owners in the County Aire Plaza shopping center are saying their business has improved.

Sabrina Glover, the store manager at the next-door children's retailer , said the extended hours the Goodwill store has keeps traffic coming in later on into the evenings.

“The parking lot is a lot fuller now," she said. "I think it's a good thing. When I first came here in October, there were three empty storefronts. It keeps it busy on weekends."

Luis Muniz, owner of neighboring Taqueria Muniz, agreed the Goodwill store has been a good addition to the shopping center, and that business was noticeably increased, especially during its grand opening.

“The Goodwill brings us a lot of business,” Muniz said, adding that their employees often come to the restaurant on breaks to eat.

But the addition of a Goodwill store hasn't been all sunshine and roses for everyone.

Greg Felcan, store manager of , said that the Goodwill location hasn't done his business any favors.

“Obviously, there's more cars, but I think it hurts,” Felcan said. “It's definitely increased traffic into the mall, but as far as my business, it's minimal.”

Felcan said the traffic generated by the discount stores like Goodwill and Big Lots, with whom they also share a parking lot, does little to increase sales of the more expensive pieces he sells in his store.

According to Goodwill's website, proceeds from the sale of donated clothing and household items go toward job training and placement for the disabled, independent living and senior services.