People started lining up more than an hour before opening and sales were brisk throughout the day today during the opening of the new North Tacoma Goodwill Store.

The store, located in the Sixth Avenue Place at 5401 Sixth Ave., is holding a grand opening weekend through Sunday. Shoppers will have the opportunity to win a DVD player, iPod nano and $50 gas cards daily throughout the event. Donors of gently used clothes, shoes, household items and e-cycling during the grand opening weekend will receive a 50 percent-off drink coupon to nearby Cutters Point coffee.

“This is exciting — it’s not just a place for affordable shopping,” Tacoma City Council Member Spiro Manthou told the crowd of more than 100 people who gathered for the grand opening ceremony. “The Tacoma City Council just wants to thank Goodwill for stepping in for its commitment to help people, especially in these times.”

More than 35 jobs were created to operate the store, a former Longs Drugs store. Proceeds from tax-deductible donations and store sales support Goodwill’s job training and placement programs.

The store hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The store can be reached by calling (253) 759-3701. The Goodwill store is the fifth to be located in the city of Tacoma and 22nd for Tacoma Goodwill’s 15-county service area.