Local officials and Habitat for Humanity workers and volunteers celebrate with a June ribbon-cutting ceremony at the renamed home store, which has been cleaned up and offers lower prices, officials said.
Local officials and Habitat for Humanity workers and volunteers celebrated the opening of a reorganized, cleaned-up store in Grove Center during a June ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Formerly known as the Home Store, it’s now called ReStore, said Jennifer Sheehan, interim executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County.
Four large shipping containers that had been in front of the store and used for storage have been removed, and trees have been trimmed, creating a better line of sight to the store from the road, Sheehan said.
“We’re working hard to improve curb appeal,” she said.
Three boxes full of scrap metal were removed from the store, toilets in front of the store are gone, and rooms once stuffed with merchandise have been opened, she said. A new showroom has also been opened, and workers and volunteers have painted, cleaned, and “de-cluttered,” making the store more accessible and walkable, Sheehan said.
“We spent an enormous amount of time organizing and cleaning,” she said.
Some unneeded items were donated to daycares.
Sheehan said the store also has a new pricing structure that features lower prices, and business has increased. ReStore is closed on Tuesdays for pickups, cleaning, and stocking.
The Habitat for Humanity board announced Feb. 26 that Sheehan, who had been Habitat’s resource development director since October, had been named interim executive director, and Charlotte Bowers, who had been community development coordinator for two years, had been named interim manager of the home store. Board members vowed then to reorganize.
Sheehan and Bowers replaced a husband-wife duo that had served as Habitat’s longtime executive director and operated its home store in Grove Center.
Jason Allison says
While I used to shop the home store at least once a week the new management has decreased inventory at least 50% and that’s not a good thing. I can only hope they plan to bring back the stock they got rid of.
Dave Smith says
“I can only hope they plan to bring back the stock they got rid of.”
I assume they decreased inventory by selling it, which would be consistent with their business plan. To the best of my knowledge they acquire the vast majority of their inventory through donations, and the type and quantity of donated items varies considerably.
Jason Allison says
Actually what they did was get rid of it. I was basing my post on a previous trip there. I went in yesterday and was happily surprised that they have turned the place around. They are starting to occupy the former Miller hardware portion of the building which greatly increases their footprint and their ability to offer more product.
Sarah Johnson says
I wonder if there are still many books there. I have always enjoyed browsing the quiet back rooms full of interesting and affordable books.
Dave Smith says
If only there was a way to find out how many books are still there…
Jason Allison says
what was that mama always said? If you can’t say nothing nice don’t say anything at all?
johnhuotari says
Jason and Sarah, I’ll follow up with Habitat on your questions.
Jason Allison says
They have turned the store around. I spent some time in there yesterday (7/19) and the place looks so much better. Sarah, I didn’t look at their book section so I can’t answer that for you. I was able to purchase a very good dishwasher to replace my broken one, and for someone who has limited income (and lazy), that was an awesome trip.
johnhuotari says
Thank you for the update, Jason.