The non-profit Goodwill that was founded in 1863 by the Irrepressible Society in Providence and has provided services to Rhode Island since. They opened a store Wednesday at 444 Quaker Lane near Lowe’s. A line stretched down one side of the building as shoppers lined up for the opening. It’s the first store Goodwill has opened in the state in 20 years. Goodwill Rhode Island is now part of Goodwill of Southern New England that operates 16 stores and employs more than 500 people. The back end of the store serves as a drive-in center where donations of clothing, furniture and other items can be dropped off. A crew sorts and displays the items for display and sale with the proceeds being used to support the educational, training and recreational services Goodwill provides to people with disabilities and seeking to gain confidence and build brighter futures. Following a ribbon cutting by Mayor Frank Picozzi, Richard Borer, president of Goodwill of Southern New England and former mayor of West Haven, CT, gave a tour of the 9,700 square foot store including the in-store job center where donations are sorted. (Warwick Beacon photos)