Habitat ReStore celebrates 15 years of business in the Sault

NEWS RELEASE
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SAULT STE MARIE & AREA
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Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area’s ReStore opened 15 years ago on June 19, 2006, launching a decade and a half of fundraising, community building, volunteering, shopping, and waste diversion from our landfill. 

"The ReStore is celebrating 15 years of being open in Sault Ste. Marie thanks to the generous support of our community. We've been able to reduce the amount of furniture, decor, appliances, electronics, and more from ending up in our landfill. We’ve been able to sell quality new and used product to shoppers, which provides funding to build quality homes in our community. We've also been fortunate enough to provide an inclusive environment for volunteers of all abilities and backgrounds. We look forward to ongoing support from community members and local businesses,” states Amanda Ridley, ReStore Manager.

The ReStore, which is owned and operated by Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area, has made it easy to support affordable homeownership in our community, providing options for rehoming your gently loved furniture and household items and offering budget-friendly options for refreshing the rooms you may be spending more time in than ever. 

Since its inception, the Habitat ReStore has brought in over $5.5 million, allowing the non-profit to cover its administrative costs… and then some. Additional revenue supports Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership Program, which makes homeownership possible for low-income, working families who are otherwise unable to access a traditional mortgage. 

The Habitat ReStore has also been good for our environment. Every $1 spent in the Habitat ReStore diverts 1.3 pounds of waste from the landfill, meaning that our ReStore has diverted approximately 7.2 million pounds from the Sault Ste. Marie landfill since 2006. In addition, the ReStore accepts e-waste and scrap metal for recycling.  

The Habitat ReStore offers a unique shopping experience similar to a treasure hunt. The inventory is always changing, as new items are donated by local residents and businesses daily. Shoppers can expect to find items such as new and gently used building supplies, kitchens, décor, appliances, furniture and much more, all for a fraction of the retail price – and without the tax.

Laureen Wells, a regular customer at the Habitat ReStore, explains how easy it is to support Habitat’s mission:

“There are few opportunities to give back to a community that is so easy to do as it is with Habitat's ReStore, whether its online or in store.  Not only does the community benefit with each purchase but the customer also benefits from the great variety of items on offer and low cost of each.  Along with the helpful staff ReStore provides a win/win situation for everyone with each purchase."  

Another ReStore supporter, Corrie da Costa, also finds value in shopping at, and donating to, the ReStore during the pandemic:

“I am an avid shopper at Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Sault Ste. Marie and a regular donor. Along with many families during the recent closures I had to set up workspaces for myself and my children. Thanks to Habitat I was able to donate furniture to make space and then purchase the desks and other items that we needed. The Online Shop has been very useful, and the staff even tracked down a specific piece of trim that I needed that was not on the website and uploaded it so I could purchase it. I am happy to support the building of affordable houses through donating and shopping at my local ReStore."

For its birthday, the ReStore will hold a two-day 15 per cent off sale this weekend on all product on its online shop – an e-commerce platform introduced during its first shutdown in March of 2020. An in-store birthday sale will be postponed until regulations will allow the ReStore to safely host a greater capacity of shoppers indoors. Customers can shop online at https://habitatsault.ca/restore/shop/.

The ReStore is also accepting donations from Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at its Donation Centre on White Oak Drive. Donation pickups can be booked online or by phoning 705-941-9646.

While the ReStore is integral in bringing financial support for Habitat’s mission, our fundraisers are essential, too! Ontarians can play Habitat’s Catch the Ace at www.habitatcta.com for a chance to win big and support charity, and Saultites can book their Porch Portraits, taking place on June 19, 20, 26, and 28, at www.habitatsault.ca. In exchange for a minimum $75 donation, a volunteer photographer will capture five digital images at your home or Bellevue Park.

Every purchase creates the opportunity for a better life. Every donation helps a local family build a safe, decent, and affordable home. Visit www.habitatsault.ca to learn more about Habitat’s mission, ReStore, fundraisers, and current build on Wellington St. W.  

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