ReStore offers new life to Habitat

Get ready bargain hunters.

The Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity is opening a Habitat ReStore in February at 1621 Broadway St., the former home of the Salvation Army Thrift Store.

There are more than 150 such stores throughout the country, each offering new life to old building materials

“They’re fantastic stores,” said Thad Whitesel, who owns TW Wood Designs in Superior with Thom Wheeler. Not only do they recycle building materials and provide money for Habitat for Humanity, he said, “they’re a lot of fun to shop and poke around in.”

The goal of Habitat ReStore is to reuse building materials and fund the creation of decent, affordable housing. Anyone can donate good quality building materials — from flooring and shingles to ceiling fans and toilets. The items will then be sold to the public for a low cost. All proceeds fund Habitat for Humanity projects, which include homes, ramps and other renovations. Access to affordable building materials could also spruce up the neighborhood.

“We’re hoping to have a positive effect all across the community,” said Daryl Yankee, director of the Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity. “And it’s going to save a ton of stuff from the landfill.”

Habitat for Humanity volunteers hope to eventually offer how-to sessions on basic home repair and maintenance at the store, as well.

A sneak peek of the ReStore site is offered during an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Everyone is welcome.

Why locate the new store in Superior? It may have something to do with the site itself, which offers a little over 11,000 square feet and easy access for loading and unloading stock. Friendly businesses like Thirsty Pagan, Kari Toyota, Red Mug Coffeehouse and TW Wood Designs, were also a factor.

“We’re not abandoning Duluth,” Yankee said. “But we’ve certainly been welcomed with open arms in Superior.”

The team at TW Wood Design has been Habitat for Humanity volunteers for years.

The feeling that you get from helping others far outweighs the effort, Whitesel said.

“You won’t remember the work,” he said. “You’ll remember the feeling.”

The two plan to build a new kitchen for Jarrad and Heather Christianson and their four children. The Christiansons will soon be moving into a house donated by Super One Foods and moved from Superior’s East End to 2122 Ogden Ave. Through donations, volunteer help and a lot of sweat equity, their Habitat for Humanity home will be ready by early January.

“It’s a start of a new life for people getting these houses,” Whitesel said.

Recently, he found a Douglas fir door with stained glass windows in a dumpster. After refinishing it, he plans to install it as the family’s front door. Like the donated home, it has been given a new purpose.

Next week, Habitat for Humanity is hosting a house-building blitz at 2122 Ogden Ave. Anyone able to give the gift of time to the Christianson family can check the work schedule online at www.twinportshabitat.org. Information on the family is also available on the website.

To volunteer sign up online, call 218-722-3875 or email volunteer@twinportshabitat.org.

Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity is accepting donations at their new ReStore. Volunteers will be on hand each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help unload items and issue a donation receipt. Contact the office at 218-722-3875 for the location and guidelines for what will be accepted.

This is not a substitute for the landfill, Yankee said. If you wouldn’t buy it, they can’t sell it.

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