Iowa is home to four official Goodwill Outlets (“bins”) found in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Sioux City and Waterloo where every item is priced by the pound. These outlets offer a unique treasure‑hunt experience: clothing, housewares, toys and more, sold pay‑by‑weight at deeply discounted rates.
Each outlet operates under local Goodwill agencies: Goodwill of the Heartland in Cedar Rapids, Goodwill of Central Iowa in Des Moines, Goodwill of the Great Plains in Sioux City, and Goodwill Northwest Iowa serving Waterloo, linking quality deals to mission‑driven jobs.
What sets these outlets apart?
- Pay‑by‑pound pricing makes every shopping trip a budget win.
- Rotating bins deliver fresh finds daily ideal for repeat thrifters.
- Eco‑friendly reuse: unsold retail items get a second life and avoid landfills.
Goodwill Outlets in Iowa
1) Goodwill Outlet Store – Cedar Rapids
The Goodwill Outlet Store in Cedar Rapids is located at 8200 6th Street SW, near the Eastern Iowa Airport. Unlike regular Goodwill shops, items here are sold by weight. General merchandise rings up at $1.69 per pound, while books go for $0.25 each (hardcovers are $0.50); furniture and bigger items are marked individually.
Bring your own containers (no plastic bags provided) and gloves, as you’ll sift through bins of mixed goods and everything is sold “as-is” with no returns or holds allowed. Gloves are mandatory here, so remember to bring your own pair of gloves or you will have to buy them at $2 at the entry door.
Shopping at this outlet is fast-paced and can feel like a treasure hunt. Bins are rotated regularly, and only one cartload is allowed per transaction. Customers have reported that the store rotates bins every 20 minutes on Wednesdays.
The store doesn’t accept donations on site (those go to regular Goodwill locations), and all sales support Goodwill’s employment and training programs in the Heartland region.
2) Goodwill of Central Iowa – Outlet – Des Moines
The Goodwill Outlet Store in Des Moines is located at 6345 SE 14th St. Instead of typical price tags, merchandise is sold by weight for around $1.89 per pound for most items. Electronics and household items may be individually priced, so it’s a good idea to check with the store beforehand.
What makes this outlet special is the “bins” format: large rolling containers receive unsold goods from local thrift sites. Shoppers sift through “hard lines” (toys, shoes, electronics) and “soft lines” (clothing) as they hunt for bargains.
Regulars arrive early to grab the best picks, and though the setup demands patience (and gloves aren’t a bad idea), many leave thrilled by unique finds and affordable deals. Plus, every purchase supports job-training programs across Central Iowa.
3) Goodwill Outlet Store Waterloo
The Goodwill Outlet Store in Waterloo, Iowa, is located at 2620 Falls Avenue. Unlike regular thrift stores, this outlet sells goods by the pound. You choose what you like: clothing, household items, electronics and pay based on weight.
It’s a budget-friendly, treasure‑hunt experience where prices can be as low as $1–$2 per pound, with some items priced individually, such as books or DVDs.
Shoppers can find reasonably priced items, though some customers have expressed concerns about merchandise condition, particularly stickers on glassware that are difficult to remove.
While some patrons appreciate the helpful staff, others note the store’s inventory can be hit-or-miss, making it worthwhile for bargain hunters with flexible schedules.
4) Goodwill of the Great Plains – Sioux City
The Goodwill Outlet in Sioux City, located at 3100 W. 4th St., offers deep‑discounted merchandise sold by the pound. Pricing is extremely affordable with household goods, clothing, and textiles at $1.59 per pound, books at $1.00 per pound, glass items at $0.75 per pound, and metal items at $0.80 per pound.
The outlet restocks multiple times a day and aims to give unsold donations a second life while diverting usable goods from landfills. The experience is often fast‑paced and busy, so come prepared with gloves and make the most of the rotating bins.