Goodwill Bins W 70th St Shreveport, Louisiana Goodwill Outlet Store

If you’re looking for the massive, overwhelming warehouse experience of a big-city Goodwill outlet, let me stop you right there. The Goodwill Bins on West 70th Street in Shreveport is a different kind of magic altogether. This isn’t a sprawling, anonymous arena; it’s an intimate, steamy, and wonderfully Southern treasure hunt. Stepping inside feels less like entering a retail battleground and more like joining a community gathering that just happens to revolve around giant blue bins of unsorted goods.

The first thing that strikes you is the scale. With only a handful of bins on the sales floor at any given time, the digging experience here is incredibly focused and communal. You’re not lost in a sea of a hundred other shoppers. Instead, you’re often digging alongside the same group of regulars, and the atmosphere is something special. I’ve been there on days when a couple of the local ladies are swapping gospel tunes while they sort through piles of denim, and another time when a newcomer was greeted with a round of friendly nods and helpful advice. There’s a laid-back, welcoming spirit that permeates the place. That’s not to say it isn’t busy—mornings are predictably the most crowded, with a rush of dedicated pickers eager for the first look. But even at its most competitive, it rarely feels aggressive.

For those who prefer a quieter hunt, here’s a pro-tip the locals swear by: roll in after 2 p.m. By then, the initial morning rush has completely died down. The pace is slower, the aisles are clear, and you can take your time. What’s great about this strategy is that you often get to pick through the carts that earlier, more frantic shoppers abandoned. In their haste, they might have overlooked a real gem, and now it’s all yours for the taking. The finds here are pure, uncut Northern Louisiana. It’s a delightful, unpredictable mix that tells the story of the region. You’ll find heaps of LSU and Saints gear, handfuls of vintage Mardi Gras beads in every color imaginable, and more durable camo jackets and workwear than you could ever dream of. It’s a fantastic reflection of the local culture, all piled together and waiting to be discovered.

Now, let’s talk logistics, because a little preparation goes a long way, especially in that Louisiana heat. First, and this is a big one, gloves and closed-toe shoes are mandatory. They have signs at the door to remind you, and they mean it. You never know what you’ll find in those bins, and it’s a simple safety measure that makes perfect sense. Second, be ready for the humidity. There’s no powerful, bone-chilling air conditioning blasting through this warehouse. It can get warm and steamy, especially in the summer months. Do yourself a favor and bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated. You’ll thank me later. The pricing is beautifully simple, with a tiered pay-by-the-pound rate for clothing and linens that gets cheaper the more you buy. Starting at just $1.69 a pound and dropping from there, it’s an incredible bargain. And the books? Ten for 49 cents. It’s almost free.

One of the unique twists at this Goodwill bins location is the frequent appearance of casino-hotel surplus. With several large resorts nearby, you can stumble upon some truly unexpected finds. I’m talking high-quality, heavy-duty logo glassware, stacks of still-in-the-box linens, and other commercial-grade goods that are built to last. Because of the simple pay-by-the-pound model, lightweight items like silk shirts or delicate blouses become an unbelievable deal. It’s all about finding that perfect balance of weight and value. You have to be willing to dig deep and keep an open mind. The moment you unearth a pristine, vintage Creole cookbook or a perfect-condition leather belt for just a few pennies, you’ll understand the magic of this place. It’s no wonder the local resellers have affectionately nicknamed this Goodwill outlet “Little Gold in the Red.”