If you have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in your area, you have to stop in before your next home improvement project.
You never know what you’ll find!
Right before my second child was born, I became obsessed with the idea of buying a gliding rocking chair.
We didn’t have one with our son, and I couldn’t get the thought that I really needed one out of my mind. But, of course, I didn’t want to spend the $100-200 that it would cost brand new. For some reason, the price of $30 was my goal. Everyone thought I was crazy, but I just had a feeling that I would find a glider for only $30.
I had already been a pretty regular thrift and second-hand shopper for many years, so my plan was to go that route. But, I was having no luck at all!
Then, my mother brought me to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Even though I was familiar with the work Habitat for Humanity does with building homes around the world, I had no idea what the ReStore was all about.
As soon as I walked in, I was amazed.
Like a standard second-hand furniture store, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore was stocked with couches, tables, chairs, and storage units.
And there, in the middle of all these choices was the glider.
I’m sure you can guess the price on the tag.
Yep. $30. Meant to be.
Since that day, I’ve been a huge fan of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
According to their website, Habitat for Humanity ReStores are “independently owned reuse stores operated by local Habitat for Humanity organizations that accept donations and sell home improvement items to the public at a fraction of the retail price.
Proceeds are used to help build strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter in local communities and around the world — a good deal for you, your community and the environment.”
As I quickly saw on that first stop into a ReStore, they get donations of so much more than just furniture. They have doors, hardware, light fixtures, plumbing bits, tile, paint, rugs… the list goes on. On a recent trip, I found a whole section of brand new heating vents for $2 apiece!
Since Habitat for Humanity’s start in 1976, over 13 million volunteers have helped build or repair more than 800,000 homes in 70+ countries. This is an absolutely amazing feat. Habitat for Humanity has become such a well-known organization, that when they were building homes in my area a few years back, there was a waiting list to help volunteer.
The first ReStore opened in Canada in 1991. Now there are hundreds all over the country, and they are all open to the public. You can find the closest one to your home here.
The ReStore will come to pick up your donations, too.
Not only is this a super-convenient way to donate your items, but it saves you the logistics of finding a way to transport any large items.
When my family moved into our home, the previous owners had left a few pieces of furniture behind. Some we gladly put to use, but there was a large entertainment center and a sofa that we just didn’t have the need for.
Our local ReStore quickly picked them up for us and took them back to their store. Without them, we would have had to rent or borrow a truck, pay for gas, and lift the heavy furniture ourselves.
They do ask that all your items be on
They also accept donations of gently used building materials. A ReStore is a must-stop before hitting a big box home improvement store. You’ll save loads of cash while keeping some stuff out of a landfill.
If you don’t have that much luck on your first trip to a ReStore, give it another chance.
Just like all second-hand shops, they only have what is donated. It can be hit or miss. I’ve also found newer ReStores are much emptier than more established sites. It seems to take a little while for the idea to catch on. But check back in, they will get more items to sell soon!
My local ReStore even has an area just for antiques!
Do you have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in your area?
Have you ever shopped there? What has been your greatest find?
What a great way to resource and recycle! I don’t think we have one too close – but it is worth looking into.
It’s an amazing place, and it sounds like they’re building a lot more of them. Hopefully, there will be one near you soon!
I would totally shop at one of these stores if we had one remotely close to us. Hope more people start shopping at them.
OMG – I would love to visit one! I live in Australia and our second hand stores are a much smaller scale and they do not have all the renovation/building supplies. either. This is a way you can remodel an entire section of a house in one spot. I love how the proceeds go to help others in the community.
Well done on finding your dream chair – It was meant to be!
The building supplies are very unique for our stores too. It’s pretty awesome!
I agree – so great! We were able to find a fab recliner for an ill family member who couldn’t afford one from a furniture store!
So glad you’ve had good luck there, too!
This totally intrigues me- and I just looked it up, I didn’t even realize there was a restore in my town! I’m surprised to see all those bathroom vanities, even! I’ll have to check it out, thanks for sharing!
I hope you find some treasures!
I have never thought about shopping there. Thanks for sharing this with us!
What a great blog post! Thank you for sharing your experience with your readers. I happen to run a Restore in Yankton SD and found your post on Pinterest. Please let me know if you would mind if I shared this!
Hello, Jonathan! I love our local ReStore and I’m so glad it’s finally catching on in our community. Absolutely feel free to share!
I didn’t know you could shop at a habitat for humanity till we had them pick up an old washer /dryer set the previous owners of our house left behind. I saw on the side of the truck shop , donate , volunteer, and that peeked my interest. So last week I decided to check a restore out. I have been looking for a new dresser for awhile but everything felt so generic and pricy, so that is what I decided to look for. And I found a couple that I liked, than my husband decided on one of them and we took it home . I had no idea what I had found, it was in great condition, almost new, and I was curious about the brand. It said Durham in the top drawer so I looked it up and much to my surprise the exact dresser I found was $2576 retail online, and I bought it for $150. So my interest in my local habitat store has definitely been peaked, and I will definitely be back.
What an amazing find! I love to do research after I buy used too. I just picked up a pricey antique dining chair for $5 at my ReStore. I just love them and their mission so much!