BUILT TO SAVE
Located next to a discount store and behind an unassuming tinted glass door is a well-kept secret among thrifty home remodelers: Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore at 1401 N. Decatur Blvd.
Observing its one-year anniversary in April, ReStore follows the business model of other thrift stores: the resale of donated products to benefit a nonprofit organization, in this case the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
What makes this store unique is its product line of primarily construction and home-improvement items donated by local builders, contractors, home-improvement and retail stores, furniture stores and even individual home remodelers.
“The purpose of ReStore is to raise funds to pay for all of the operating costs of the Las Vegas chapter of Habitat for Humanity so that we can ensure that every dollar donated to the organization will go directly toward the building of homes,” said Kathy Dougherty, director of business operations for the local chapter, adding that through volunteers Habitat has built more than 60 homes in the valley since 1991. The homes are then sold to families at no profit and financed with no-interest loans.
“During the first year, ReStore was able to exceed this goal through generous donations by builders, businesses and individuals.”
Its products run the gamut and could easily be symbolized by a display of 100-plus gallon paint cans that greeted customers on a weekday morning earlier this month. The display consisted mostly of unused gallons of paint that were specially mixed with hues rejected by customers along with a few completely sealed, dented cans of bases and primers. If one would take the time to sort through the informal display offering a rainbow of colors, one may discover a great deal at $3 per gallon.
The remainder of the store is like that paint display: Home remodelers may find a useful item well below retail price and at the same time assist a nonprofit organization if they take the time to look around at general areas designated for flooring, lighting, bathroom projects, wood, adhesives, doors and windows, equipment, appliances and outdoor. (Note to painters: Check out a painting supply section where myriad brand-new paint glazes, brushes, rollers, spray attachments and drop clothes were in stock recently.)
The store’s offerings vary day-by-day and are entirely determined by donations. Dougherty said some donations sell very quickly, such as several brand-new granite-slab countertops, never-used appliances and hardwood flooring that were donated by local businesses, while other offerings are consistent, like the paint.
Dougherty said that five truckloads of merchandise from a trade show will be placed in the store through April.
“Through April, we will be offering many very nice, brand-new items donated by Lowe’s that were displayed during a convention. Our trucks will take these great items directly from the convention center to our store,” Dougherty said. “Depending on the day that someone stops by, they may discover a great bargain here.”
She also expects an influx of used appliances courtesy of a local developer.
“Another type of product that we know will be coming into ReStore is sets of used appliances. A developer who is currently converting an apartment complex into a condominium development will be giving Habitat all of the appliances to resell,” she said.
She said that gardening-related and outdoor items also will be available in April.
A sampling of “finds” waiting for a new home during a recent weekday visit included:
* New chandelier-style lighting fixtures starting from $20;
* Outdoor lanterns, coach lights and landscape lights;
* Wall mirrors priced from $10;
* An assortment of new and used kitchen cabinetry;
* Wood shutters, doors, trims and moldings;
* Boxes of ceramic, porcelain, vinyl, granite and ceiling tiles, as well as carpet remnants;
* Hundreds of containers of calk, specialized adhesives, cleaners and pest control supplies;
* Several sizes and styles of sinks, bathtubs and never-used toilets in a “bathroom theme” corner; and
* A large container of packaged items ranging from switches, wall plugs, curtain rings, fuses, screws and other thingamajigs for just 25 cents each, some of which had retail price tags of $6.
ReStore is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For store information or to donate items, call 638-6477.
More information about the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity is available at www.habitatlasvegas.org.
