More than 5,000 people have stopped by the Goodwill Store in Des Plaines since it opened late last week — a sign that indicates the community is receptive to the newest shop-and-donation center, Goodwill officials said.

The 19,000-square-foot store opened one hour earlier than planned on Feb. 10 to accommodate the long lines of shoppers looking for one-of-a-kind treasures lining the walls and hanging on the racks. By the end of that day, 1,406 people had visited the store, which is Goodwill’s 25th site in the state.

“It was crazy. It was packed,” said Cheryl Lightholder, manager of communications for Goodwill. “People were just so excited to see us here.”

On Thursday, Des Plaines officials — ranging from the mayor to the executive director of the local business chamber — gathered at the store for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Even stores in the shopping plaza have thanked Goodwill for choosing Des Plaines — they believe it will draw more traffic to the area, said Dan Michael, Goodwill’s regional manager.

Anne Schwartz, of Park Ridge, shops in the sweater section of the new Goodwill Store. (Jennifer Delgado/Tribune)

Jessica Madrigal, of Rosemont, has visited the store every day, hoping to find a fish bowl for her home. Though she hasn’t had any luck, she’s been able to find doll accessories for her daughter and a trendy pink bag for her sister, among other odds and ends.

Anne Schwartz of Park Ridge said she and her sister came on the store’s opening day and waited 45 minutes to pay for their items. She didn’t mind, though, because she is a “big fan” of the Goodwill stores.

On Thursday, she returned to the shop looking for toys for her grandson. She found herself browsing women’ s sweaters instead.

“I’m very glad that in this economy Goodwill is expanding,” she said. “I feel like this store is going to do very well.”