ReStore funds new homes with discounted materials

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People who need to repair or rehabilitate a residential property can get building materials at a discount while helping to build new homes for local families via Habitat for Humanity's ReStore.|ret||ret||tab|

Habitat for Humanity opened the doors on its retail store in the summer of 1999, offering sales of donated building materials, both new and used, according to Executive Director Donna Jones. |ret||ret||tab|

The store, located at 4535 W. Chestnut, next to Payless Cashways, is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. Store hours are expected to be expanded soon, according to the store's newly appointed general manager, Dennis Radford-Kapp.|ret||ret||tab|

The space on West Chestnut comprises 14,500 square feet in three structures, according to leasing agent Jeffy Redfearn, of CJR Commercial Group Inc. The site was previously home to Midwest Thermal Products Inc., which was acquired by Cameron Ashley Building Products in 1996.|ret||ret||tab|

Prior to finding the rental space on West Chestnut, Habitat had a problem with storing the materials it accumulated between projects, Jones said.|ret||ret||tab|

Victory Mission had previously loaned warehouse space for leftover materials, and Habitat held two auctions at the warehouse location in late 1998 and early 1999 to reduce the inventory, Jones said. A final auction was held at the ReStore facility after stored materials were transferred from the warehouse to the retail site.|ret||ret||tab|

The new store includes an adjacent warehouse space. With ReStore open to the public, Habitat can offer huge savings on everything from windows to floor tile, Jones said. Even retired commodes and used carpet make the inventory list, as long as they are in good condition.|ret||ret||tab|

The ReStore concept has been around for a while, according to Jones. There are 34 other such stores around the country, with locations in Austin, Tulsa, St. Louis and Kansas City, to name a few.|ret||ret||tab|

"The Austin store has grossed $750,000 per year, allowing them to build two or three more homes than they would have otherwise," Jones said.|ret||ret||tab|

The funds derived from sales at the stores help pay for materials, site supervision and other expenses connected with home-building projects.|ret||ret||tab|

Habitat picks up salvage from structures scheduled for demolition whenever it can. From the former location of the Lighthouse Gallery the organization gleaned some cherry wood doors and brass light fixtures before the building was demolished, she said.|ret||ret||tab|

The problem with a demolition project, as with building the houses, is finding enough people to do the work, Jones said. "It takes a lot of hours, and it is easy to exhaust the volunteer pool," she added.|ret||ret||tab|

Sometimes groups, such as the Boy Scouts, will take on a demolition project. This is a good way for local organizations to get involved, Radford-Kapp said.|ret||ret||tab|

Revenues from the store can help fund paid personnel so more projects can be started, enabling Springfield to build to capacity. Habitat built eight houses in 1999. The planners for Habitat for Humanity International believe Springfield should be able to build 10 to 15 houses per year, based on the local population.|ret||ret||tab|

"To keep up that rate, we have to have more staff," Jones said.|ret||ret||tab|

Recently, ReStore received 11 pallets of floor tile, donated by Acme Brick, which are selling for $5 per box. The price represents a big savings for someone working on a remodeling project and can use the size and colors available, Jones said.|ret||ret||tab|

A building supplier from Lebanon donated 98 windows and some vinyl floor covering which he took out of inventory to make room for new merchandise. These are available at the store at similar savings.|ret||ret||tab|

Many such donations have helped keep the ReStore stocked, but more are needed. Traffic has increased steadily since the store opened and as the word has gotten out. Along with offering affordable building materials, the store provides an outlet for leftover materials that might otherwise end up in the landfill, so it serves the community on two levels, Jones said.|ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield Habitat for Humanity organization recently received a $90,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds are to be spread over a three-year period and will help cover expenses at the store, as well as providing a salary for the new manager.|ret||ret||tab|

Springfield Habitat for Humanity has three full-time paid employees and one part-time employee, along with 150 to 200 volunteers. Besides administrative work on projects and general paperwork, the staff at Habitat routinely call local builders and suppliers to ask for donations. Local construction people have been generous, but as merchandise is sold, more is needed to restock.|ret||ret||tab|

"It helps if they can deliver, but we will pick up," Jones said.|ret||ret||tab|

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization, with a 50l(c)(3) federal designation. Donations made to the organization are tax-deductible and written receipts are provided.|ret||ret||tab|

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