The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kathy McCormick remembers the days last fall when her business was nil. Now she and her fellow volunteers at the Habitat 53 ReStore have trouble keeping up with the barrage of customers. 'The demand is growing for what we're doing,' says McCormick. McCormick is the manager of ReStore, which collects and sells construction and household items in support of Habitat 53, the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Here customers find a surprisingly vast array of items. There are couches, doors, wood trim, toilets, night stands, windows, carpets, tiles, tools and more. Located in a narrow brown storage building at the back of the old armoury property, ReStore has a dual purpose. First, it aims to collect donated items that can be used to build and furnish the homes for low-income residents that Habitat 53 begins building this year. Second, ReStore is a revenue generator for the charitable organization as it sells items to an increasing number of customers _ and at modest prices. 'Financially we're growing constantly,' says McCormick. 'My goal this year was to see $2,000 raised. We're halfway through our season and we have tripled that.' Open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., ReStore today attracts about 80 customers in a typical day. McCormick still remembers the customer who dropped in and bought over $1,100 worth of items. Far cry That's a far cry from the early days. After ReStore first opened for several weeks last September, McCormick remembers three separate days where not a single sale was made. Even today McCormick hears from customers who were unaware ReStore existed. Some others who knew of it thought it sold only construction supplies. If customers don't see what they want, they can simply tell McCormick what they are looking for and if it ever comes through the door, they will be notified. Since there is no heating in the facility, ReStore will close this fall and reopen next summer. McCormick hopes that in time a permanent location can be found that will allow for year-round operations. She asks anyone donating an item to contact her at 204-687-6582. Habitat 53 prefers that items be brought directly to the ReStore, provided someone is there at the time. Habitat 53 reserves the right to refuse certain items. Donations such as books, clothes and toys are not accepted. New items donated and used in the construction of a Habitat 53 home are eligible for a tax receipt. This year Habitat 53 will begin building its first house for a low-income family at 63 Green Street.
