Missouri's got three Goodwill outlet stores scattered across the state, serving up Midwestern thrift bargains by the pound at each location. Kansas City and St. Louis area shoppers each have a Goodwill outlet within striking distance, and there's another one that covers the central/southern part of the state. Each Goodwill bins location has its own flavor, but you can expect a busy, deal-driven atmosphere at all of them. The bins are filled with everything under the sun: one moment you're pulling out vintage Cardinals jerseys, the next minute you've found a casserole dish just like Grandma's at the Goodwill outlet. The crowd is pretty diverse – seasoned resellers elbow-to-elbow with retiree thrifters and curious first-timers all digging through the Goodwill bins. Missourians are generally friendly people, and you might hear some good-natured banter about who snagged the best find of the day. Competition sparks especially when fresh bins roll out at the Goodwill outlet, but there's this shared understanding of the "rules" (many outlets here enforce a look-but-don't-touch until all bins are in place). Pro tips for the Goodwill bins: wear gloves (those farm tools and glass items can be rough on your hands) and closed-toe shoes, and bring something decent to carry your haul in. Get there early if you want a cart and the first crack at new bins at the Goodwill outlet. And if you leave empty-handed, don't fret about it – these outlets refresh their stock every single day, so tomorrow's another chance to score big.
