Lakeshore
Habitat ReStore building sales, donations By ASHLEY TEFFER, Holland Sentinel
Lakeshore Habitat ReStore has
raised $1 million to aid its ministry efforts by selling
everything including the kitchen sink.
“Our sales are getting better
every month,” said Joe Rios, director of the ReStore,
2522 Van Ommen Drive in Holland Township. “Over the
last eight to nine months, we’ve seen an increase
in donations and buyers.”
The ReStore, which sells donated
building materials and home improvement items, has
experienced repeated growth since its opening in 2004,
Rios said.
“ReStore was created to fund
our ministry, Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity,” said
Dan Fitzpatrick, executive director of Lakeshore Habitat
for Humanity. “The proceeds go to build affordable
houses for low-income families.”
Fitzpatrick says the store’s
success can be attributed to the generous donations
it has received from the individuals as well as companies.
Without their help it would be impossible to deliver
their services to the community, he said.
“Builders who do remodeling
bring their stuff here rather than throwing it into
a landfill,” Fitzpatrick said.
“Whenever homes or buildings
are getting knocked down, if asked, we send a crew
to pick up the usable items they wish to donate,”
Rios said.
Within the store’s 8,000-square-foot
display area, customers can find just about anything
they need to improve or build their home.
“We have doors, windows, furniture,
appliances, paint, tools, carpeting, wood — basically
anything home improvement related,” said Rios. “We
are getting more items every day.”
Inevitably more inventory will
result in the need for a bigger space. Fitzpatrick
said the ReStore is looking for new location options
right now.
“The store is running out of
room,” Fitzpatrick said. “We could easily use double
the space we have now.”
Lakeshore
Habitat ReStore building sales, donations