Pennsylvania shoppers looking for unbeatable deals can explore six Goodwill Outlets scattered throughout the state, offering a unique treasure-hunting experience unlike traditional thrift stores. These outlets, also known as “Goodwill Bins,” are located in Heidelberg, Lancaster, Middletown, Montgomeryville, Reading, and North Versailles.
The Goodwill Outlet at the Camp Hill location is now permanently closed, and the outlet section at the Avondale location has also shut down, leaving only the retail store open.
What makes Pennsylvania’s Goodwill Outlets special is their pay-by-the-pound pricing system, where most items are sold by weight rather than individual price tags. A shirt that might cost $7 at a regular Goodwill store could cost just $0.50 to $1 at an outlet. Instead of neatly organized racks, items are placed in large bins for customers to explore, creating an exciting “dig and discover” shopping experience.
These outlets primarily feature items that didn’t sell at regular Goodwill stores, making them perfect for bargain hunters, resellers, and anyone who enjoys the thrill of finding hidden gems.
Goodwill Outlets in Pennsylvania
1) Goodwill Outlet Center & Donation Center – Reading
The Goodwill Outlet Center & Donation Center in Reading operates at 3001 St Lawrence Ave. This location serves as both a thrift outlet and donation center for the community.
You’ll find most items placed in large bins rather than displayed on shelves or hangers. The outlet uses a pay-by-the-pound pricing system for most merchandise. Shopping carts are provided to help you navigate through the bins. It’s strongly recommended that you bring your own gloves.
The store receives a steady flow of donations that keeps merchandise turning over quickly. You can hunt for clothing, books, shoes, electronics, furniture, and household items.
2) Goodwill Outlet Center – Middletown
The Goodwill Outlet Center in Middletown offers a unique thrift shopping experience where most items are sold by the pound rather than individual pricing. Pricing starts at $1.99 per pound for clothing, home goods, and textiles under 50 pounds, and drops to $1.59 per pound for orders over 50 pounds. Electronics and glassware cost $0.89 per pound, while DVDs, CDs, books, and VHS tapes are priced at $1 each.
Items are organized in large bins rather than hung on racks or shelves, and employees rotate the bins throughout the day, adding fresh merchandise regularly. While gloves are not technically required, they are strongly recommended for safety and hygiene when digging through bins, as items may be dusty or there could be broken glass.
Shoppers should expect a high competition environment and may need to arrive early or wait for bin rotations to find the best items. The store features restrooms and allows one cartload per transaction.
3) Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania – Heidelberg
Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania – Heidelberg is a popular Goodwill Outlet located at 1905 Washington Street, Heidelberg, PA. This location operates as a bins store, where items are sold by the pound rather than individually priced. Clothing and soft goods cost around $1.59 per pound, while hard goods are priced near $1.29 per pound.
The warehouse is clean and moderately sized, with blue rolling bins arranged in rows and changed out approximately every 30 to 45 minutes. Customers are typically asked to stand back during bin rotations and wait for staff announcements before approaching.
Gloves are not mandatory but highly recommended due to the mixed nature of the items. The crowd can get competitive, especially during new rotations, so early arrival is advised.
4) Goodwill North Versailles Outlet
The Goodwill North Versailles Outlet operates on the pay-by-pound model that makes Goodwill bins famous. You’ll find bins filled with clothing, books, shoes, electronics, and household goods. The store provides shopping carts to help you navigate through the bins.
The bins get rotated 9 to 10 times a day to keep fresh merchandise coming in. You’ll want to time your visits around these rotations for the best selection. The layout features multiple bins arranged throughout the store floor.
You don’t need to bring gloves, but many shoppers prefer wearing them while digging through bins. The store tends to be busiest on weekends and during peak shopping hours. Weekday mornings often offer a calmer shopping experience.
5) Goodwill Store, Outlet Center & Donation Center – Lancaster
The Lancaster Goodwill outlet store operates as both a regular thrift store and an outlet center with bin shopping. This outlet is a part of Goodwill Keystone Area, which serves 22 counties in southeastern and central Pennsylvania.
The outlet section features large bins filled with various items sold by the pound. New bins are typically rotated every hour throughout the day. The bins are arranged in rows with shopping carts available for your use.
You should bring gloves when shopping the bins as items are unsorted and can have sharp edges. The store tends to be busiest on weekends and during bin rotation times when fresh merchandise comes out.
6) Goodwill Store, Outlet Center & Donation Center – Montgomeryville
Located at 753 Bethlehem Pike in Montgomeryville, this unique facility combines both a traditional Goodwill store and an outlet center under one roof. The two sections are separated by a wall, giving you access to both regular priced items and pay-per-pound merchandise.
The outlet section operates with the standard bin system where items are sold by weight rather than individual pricing. You’ll find clothing, household goods, and various secondhand items in large bins throughout the space. The bins are rotated every hour to keep fresh inventory available for shoppers.
Peak hours tend to be weekends and early evenings when more shoppers visit after work. You may want to bring gloves as items in the bins can be dusty or have rough edges. The facility serves the southeastern Pennsylvania region and helps fund job training programs through its sales.