The newest Habitat Wake County ReStore will open in the Market of Wake Forest shopping center on Saturday, Aug. 1, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Market is anchored by Food Lion and Rite Aid.
The grand opening will be celebrated from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Wake Forest store is the fifth ReStore to be operated by Habitat Wake. The Raleigh ReStore has been open since 1991, and Cary opened its doors in 2011. In the past 12 months, Habitat Wake has opened ReStore locations in Apex and Fuquay-Varina.
The Wake Forest ReStore location was selected because of customer demand and the impressive growth Wake Forest has experienced over the past few years. Habitat Wake is recruiting volunteers for this new location to assist with donation procurement, customer service, and merchandising. Cashiers are also needed. Visit www.wakerestore.org/volunteer to learn more and sign up to volunteer.
A Wake Forest ReStore was ideal due to Habitat Wake’s deep history in Wake Forest. “Opening a ReStore in Wake Forest is a great fit for Habitat Wake,” said Kevin Campbell, Habitat Wake president/CEO. “We have built five homes in the Northeast End, near downtown Wake Forest, in the last 14 months. Habitat Wake’s first neighborhood is Wake Forest’s Jubilee Village, which was developed in the late ‘80s. Of the 500 homes Habitat Wake has built since 1985, 35 are in Wake Forest.”
In addition, Habitat Wake’s Neighborhood Revitalization initiative is active in Wake Forest and connects local congregations and community organizations to meet resident’s needs and improve the neighborhood. Habitat Wake’s home preservation program, a specific service of Neighborhood Revitalization, has completed numerous home improvement projects in Wake Forest. Home preservation typically serves elderly homeowners who cannot physically or financially manage to improve the exterior of their home. Habitat Wake construction staff, supported by volunteers, complete exterior repairs, paint, and lightly landscape the homes to boost curbside appeal and elevate the entire neighborhood.
The ReStore is a thrift store with a mission. ReStore proceeds help Habitat Wake build safe, affordable housing in partnership with hardworking, low-income Wake County families, sponsors and volunteers. Customers will find a wide variety of remodeling and home improvement items such as tile, furniture, appliances, lighting, building materials, and more. These products are sold at a fraction of normal prices.
Materials within the ReStore are donated by area families and businesses. The ReStore also offers a small selection of new products, including rugs, tiles, and kitchen cabinets. Much of the donated materials are new or gently used and perfect for a “second-chance.” Last year, the Wake ReStores reclaimed over 4,200 tons of materials that may have otherwise been slated for the landfills. A purchase or donation to the ReStore is environmentally beneficial and proceeds go toward funding the Habitat Wake mission.
A segment of the ReStore model is Deconstruction services. Referred to as “Decon,” this service provides the systematic disassembly of building structures to salvage materials for reuse and resale in the ReStore. Decon services include kitchen cabinet removal, light salvage that accommodates larger remodel projects, and full-structure demolition. Full demolition can salvage up to 85% of structure’s materials, including hardwood floors, architectural elements, doors, windows, cabinets, countertops, light fixtures, and myriad of other useful items. Reclaiming these items again provides environmental benefits and will be resold in the ReStore.
About Habitat for Humanity of Wake County
Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Wake County has joined with sponsors, volunteers and partner families to build safe, affordable homes. Qualified partner families invest 250 hours of sweat equity constructing their home and purchase then home with an affordable mortgage. This year, Habitat Wake will build 50 new homes locally, complete exterior repairs on 40 homes as part of Home Preservation, and build 75 homes globally. Financial support is provided by corporate, foundation, faith and individual sponsors, the Habitat Wake ReStores and the Deconstruction program, and other charitable efforts. Habitat Wake is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, please visit www.HabitatWake.org.
