Jamon Schmidt Explains the Bin Store Outlet Experience

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast I’m at the grand opening of Goodwill’s first outlet bin store in Charleston with Jamon Schmidt. He leads marketing and communications for Goodwill, and he explains why they shifted this location from a traditional retail floor to an outlet format that West Virginia has barely had outside places like Morgantown.

He breaks down the difference, no racks, no tags. The store runs rows of bins, and about every 15 minutes a row comes off and a new one rolls out, so the inventory keeps moving. Instead of paying by the item, you pay by the pound.

I ask what he’s learned promoting openings like this. His answer is simple: act early, and don’t hesitate on the ideas you believe will pull people in. Try the channels you can afford, then review what worked and what didn’t.

We also clear up a misconception about Goodwill. People think thrift first, but the mission is employment. The retail side helps fund services that support people getting a job or moving into a better role, including help like resumes and other job-readiness support.

If you want the outlet experience, walk in, grab a cart, and start digging. When you’re done, check out by weight, get out the door, and know the purchase backs the employment work too.