The building supply store belongs to Habitat for Humanity in Prince Albert and helps to support their building of affordable homes for residents in need of a home.
They accept and resell new and used building materials and household products such as appliances, mirrors, drawers and light fixtures.
“We try to bring in good quality products, good quality donations … and get them cleaned up, fixed up a little bit to provide a spectrum of value to a spectrum of people,” said Bob Allen, ReStore’s manager.
“We are trying to find products that interest the public and have them come in and come back to shop,” Allen said.
Alan Andal, assistant manager at Restore, has been working there for two and a half years and finds the store a great place to buy what he needs.
“I’ve always been interested in the types of products that they sell here. I bought a lot of stuff here before I worked here,“ Andal said.
ReStore’s shelves see a wide variety of things coming through the doors. Products include windows, doors, lumber, tools, desks, mirrors, chairs, sinks, flooring, light fixtures, electronics, plumbing, paint and more.
“We get a lot of used items as well as new,” he added.
The store seems to receive and sell a lot of appliances, all of which are tested before being sold Andal, said.
“Rudy there, he totally goes over all the appliances, and checks the components,” he said.
If it is beyond repair he takes it apart and makes use of the remnants.
“The bad ones he’ll take components off of and rebuild (others).”
Dale Hatlelid takes care of the doors and the windows, of which there are two outdoor sheds.
“I look after the door shack,” he said.
“People who are renovating, we would be happy to see their good used doors,” Hatlelid said.
A large number of people come in looking for replacement doors and Hatlelid can usually get them what they want, be it wood or glass or both.
“A lot of people cannot afford to buy always new,” he added.
To support their efforts Hatlelid said they could use more individuals and companies who provide them with new and gently used products.
“We need more people who are able and willing to donate to us,” Hatlelid said.
Especially any products that are end-of-line, scratch and dent, discontinued, or paint miss-tints and customer returns that would otherwise go to the landfill.
ReStore has been in Prince Albert for about five years and is run mostly by volunteers, except for the manager and assistant manager. Habitat for Humanity is entirely run by volunteers.
Currently most of the funds raised through ReStore go to pay for repairs and upkeep to the homes that Habitat for Humanity has built in the community.
“That is what our Restore funding has been able to manage so far,” Allen said.
He would like to increase their net funds so that they can support Habitat for Humanity.
“We’re still struggling to generate more income to support the building of homes,” Allen said.
Since 1996 Habitat for Humanity has built or is currently building a total of 16 homes in Prince Albert, more than half of those were built since 2010.
“It is quite obvious that we have families that have needs and … with a hand-up not a hand-out those people can move along. We have quite few single parent families and other families that just require a little bit of assistance and we provide that opportunity,” Allen said.
For those interested in learning more about whether they qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home, there will be an information session held at the Bernice Sayese Centre on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
“Are you a low-income earner raising a family, are you living in an unsafe home, have you lost hope about ever owning a home?” Allen asked.
To qualify for a home an applicant must have annual income somewhere between $25,000 and $50,000 dollars.
“Come out to the information meeting and find out if you qualify for home ownership under our program. We can answer all of your questions and help you fill out the application form.”
To donate call the ReStore at 306-763-7463 to ensure they have space for your item and also if you need it to be picked up free of charge.
For more information about Habitat for Humanity and ReStore, go to www.habitatpa.ca
