Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region has opened a new 14,000-square-foot retail site in Peterborough to sell new and gently used household items and building materials at a discounted price.
The ReStore, located in the north end of the city on 300 Milroy Drive, is another important source of revenue for the non-profit organization, and Habitat expects the new addition to further boost its proceeds as well as its profile in the community — which will help Habitat to build even more affordable housing in the community.
This is Habitat’s third ReStore operating in the region, servicing the north end of Peterborough, Bridgenorth, and Ennismore. The first original Peterborough ReStore is located at 550 Braidwood Drive and the second is located in Lindsay at 55 Angeline Street North.
The Habitat for Humanity administrative offices have moved from the Braidwood location to the Milroy one, allowing for an additional 1,700 square feet of retail space at Braidwood to house more donations from the area.
“The support Habitat is receiving from the community is growing,” says Christina Skuce, director of philanthropy and communications with Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region.
“We didn’t have the space at the Braidwood site to house all of the donations coming in. There is a crisis for affordable housing in our region. To build more affordable housing, we need to raise more money and a second ReStore can help us do that.”
One of the great successes of ReStore is that it “offers a green alternative and diverts perfectly good items from the landfill,” Skuce adds.
The steadily evolving inventory at the north end ReStore will be a repeat draw for customers looking for a range of household items including vintage-style furniture, appliances, home décor, cabinetry, vanities, lighting, tools, plumbing supplies, and much more.
The ReStore is organized as a home would be, with living room, dining room, bedroom, office, and entertainment items grouped together making the space easy to navigate for customers.
“We also carry what some people don’t except to see in the ReStore and that is brand new items that have been donated by our generous corporate partners. Most of the time, they are discontinued or overstocked items and customers can buy it at our ReStore at a discounted price,” says Skuce.
With Habitat’s constantly changing inventory, prices well below retail, frequent markdowns, and one-of-a-kind items, Skuce recommends customers stop by often.
“If you miss a day, you might just miss a deal,” she says.
Even though ReStore will take almost anything in resalable condition, Skuce notes that they are selective in what they stock. Items not accepted include mattresses, baby car seats and cribs, industrial supplies, or anything in rough condition.
In any case, once an item is purchased, those funds make a big difference for Habitat for Humanity.
All ReStore revenue goes towards covering Habitat’s administrative costs, which means that the organization can guarantee that 100 per cent of cash donations go to home building projects.
The need for affordable housing in Peterborough and the Kawarthas is great, notes Skuce.
“The lack of affordable housing for low to moderate income families and individuals has become a major problem in our community. Habitat’s goal is to help hard-working families realize their dream of home ownership and break the cycle of poverty.”
For partner families, Habitat for Humanity offers an interest-free zero-downpayment mortgage, with affordable monthly payments that are based on the family’s income.
All families who partner with Habitat are required to achieve a minimum of 500 ‘sweat equity’ hours by volunteering on the build site, at the ReStore and through other Habitat initiatives.
In April, Skuce says three new Habitat homes will be completed: one in Curve Lake and two in Lindsay. In May, work will start on a second home in Curve Lake and, in June, work will begin on two homes in Bobcaygeon.
She adds that Habitat is finalizing plans to build more than 60 units of affordable complex-style developments through three separate projects in Peterborough and Lakefield. In its 17 years, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region has served more than 37 families to date.
If you’re remodelling, cleaning out, downsizing, or just getting organized, consider donating your excess household goods and building materials to Peterborough’s Habitat ReStores to help stock the stores and support local families. Free pickup of most large items is available, and can be scheduled by calling your local Habitat for Humanity office.
As a donor, you’ll realize many benefits: removal of bulky items you no longer need, a potential tax deduction, the knowledge you’ve helped Habitat fund its mission, and the sense of not having trashed a good piece of furniture.
Volunteers are needed to help with day-to-day operations at the store. Whether you have retail experience in merchandising or customer service, or no experience at all and simply enjoy giving back and working with others, there are fun and fulfilling opportunities to help out at ReStore, says Skuce.
“ReStore is a volunteer-operated store and we have an urgent need for more volunteers in the Milroy location,” she says. “We’re also accepting high school students needing volunteer hours. We have a variety of shifts and opportunities available.”
Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region also offer do-it-yourself (DIY) workshops to teach community members and donors how to makeover, repurpose, and put their own personal touch on items they find at the ReStore. For a list of upcoming workshops, visit habitatpeterborough.ca/habitat-events.
The new north end ReStore is located at 300 Milroy Drive in Peterborough, and is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 705-750-1456 or visit habitatpeterborough.ca/restore.
This story was created in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region.
