GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mel Trotter Ministriesannounced Monday a restructuring of their thrift stores and auto program, resulting in the closure of two stores.
The non-profit mission will be closing their Belding and Grand Rapids thrift store locations. Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids will take over the retail operation of the Belding store on State Street sometime in early October. The Grand Rapids location, at 555 28th Street, will be put on the market and will operate until it is sold. The Jenison and Sparta thrift stores will remain open.
The mission also announced that the auto program will continue to accept vehicles for donation, but will bring in a third party vendor to help maximize the donations.
“It is certainly difficult to make these decisions,” said Dennis VanKampen, Executive Director and CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries in a press statement. “But after many months of careful thought and analysis, it is clear the number of donations we receive at our thrift stores is appropriate for two, not four locations.”
Employees are being given the opportunity to move into other positions, according to the mission. Others will have the chance to interview for similar positions at Goodwill.
