Over more than 30 years, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity has built and renovated more than 1,200 homes in the metro area. Since 2001, part of that effort has been fueled by the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, a resale store that sells new or gently used furniture, building materials and home decor items to the public.
ReStore accepts new and used donated items from individuals and corporations, and they are then sold at a fraction of the cost. All net proceeds from the ReStore support Atlanta Habitat for Humanity’s mission of partnering with working families to build affordable, quality housing in communities across the area.
In November, ReStore moved to a new location at 271 Chester Ave. S.E. in Atlanta. “With the new ReStore, we more than doubled in size,” says Ashley Keyes, spokeswoman for Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. Storage is now on-site, and a service elevator and loading dock make receiving donations more efficient, she says.
The new location also offers more visibility. “People who had never heard of the ReStore have been stopping by since the grand opening,” she says.
Having more space means the store is better organized. ReStore departments are easy to navigate, and there are plenty of volunteers on hand to assist with whatever you may need. The inventory changes daily, but on a recent visit, the deals ranged from a $25 sofa to a 20 percent off sale on sinks.
There was all manner of flooring from laminate to tiles, doors and windows, and materials needed for installation. One shelf was stocked with a $100 DIY countertop coating system that gives kitchen counters a granite finish.
Furniture included chairs as low as $10 and, of course, that $25 sofa. Naturally, the lower-priced items may require updating or refinishing. The $10 chair, for example, has chipped paint and mild water damage, while the $25 sofa would need to be reupholstered or covered. A working vintage turntable was priced at $180 (and has been sold) while a white metal media console was going for $60. Smaller home decor items included wicker trays, baskets, vases, lamps and artwork.
Habitat volunteers make every effort to carefully screen items as they come in to make sure they are in working order, but all items in the store are sold “as-is.” Labeling on most of the items helps you identify their condition. Store policy forbids refunds or exchanges except on a limited number of appliances and does not allow store volunteers to negotiate with customers on prices.
Sign up for email updates to get a heads-up on special deals each week. You can also follow ReStore on social media to find out about new arrivals, but be warned, once items are posted, they tend to sell out quickly, says Keyes, who has seen items on Instagram sell within five minutes.
For more information on ReStore, visit www.atlantahabitat.org. If you're interested in volunteering for Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, don't miss Clark Howard's 2015 Habitat Home Build. Volunteer dates are available for Jan. 22-Feb. 28. Sign up at www.clarkhoward.com.
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