Habitat for Humanity runs the Re-Store in Kansas City, Mo. It sells goods that have been salvaged out of houses for contractors and homeowners alike to use. Most days of the week it is packed to the gills with people who are looking to save product from landfills and to save a buck in the process. Check out more from the Re-Store after the jump.
From the outside there is only one small sign in a sea of warehouses to alert your attention to the wonders that lay inside.
The day we were there, everything in the store just happened to be 25% off (we are always in the mood for a bargain!).
We found a box of banister pieces just waiting for a project or new home. We couldn't help but think of the sculptural possibilities such an odd shape creates.
Does a whole wall of the same item make anyone else as giddy as it makes us? Even if we have no need for 400+ tubes of caulking.... just knowing that it's there and ridiculously inexpensive makes our hearts flutter.
Doors were available for any size, shape and style. Hollow and solid core alike, with dogs doors and without, with windows and without... you can find anything you need. (And typically for less than 10$ a door!)
Although most people buy such things new, there is quite the selection on hand of bathroom hardware to repurpose.
They have all the nuts and bolts, washers and hardware you could need for any project.
Mix and Match house numbers are always around, you may not find all the numbers in the same style, but you can always mix and match.
Contractors donate the remains of their paint from projects. You can find any color under the sun and most of the time there are large quantities of solid neutrals in case you have a large project ahead of you.
When we started looking at trim and molding, we couldn't believe we have been paying full price for it up until now. There was a sea of every style we looked for.
Plain, ornate, country, victorian... you name it and it was there to be found.
Most of us would purchase a toilet new unless we came across one in a place like this that was a bit more on the environmentally friendly side of things. There could be other uses for them however.... planters anyone?
This old vanity needed a good home. It has a tremendous amount of potential that it just dying to be uncovered in the restoration process.
These are the terms of the ReStore just in case you are in the neighborhood.
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
I've visited the store several times and they always have an amazing selection of tile. Definitely recommend it.
view blvdblonde's profile
I have one of these within walking distance of my place. I never knew it was open to the public though. I will def. check it out this weekend. Thanks AT!!
view JamesM's profile
all those vintage drawers....i'm thinking tejo remy hack.
view healthyhome's profile
Interested people can visit their online site here to find other locations in the U.S. and Canada:
http://www.habitat.org/env/restores.aspx
Many of the stores (just glancing) have websites too. The one for the store in this thread is here:
http://restorekc.org/
They have the hours posted, and mention that they will be closed July 4, 5, and are closed on Sunday.
You can get an idea of what they might have from what they accept:
http://restorekc.org/MaterialsWeAccept.htm
And they have a What's New page!!!
http://restorekc.org/whatsNew.html
Bad joke of the day...
They had a sale and were giving away door prizes every half hour. So was the prize a door?
So check out the above store or look into local stores. You might be able to find what you want for your own projects, as well as being able to donate what you are changing.
If you're doing your kitchen or bathroom, they might be able to take just about everything that you are getting rid of.
view TRUE BLUE's profile
The nearest store to me is 70 miles away, but if it's anything like the KC store, it's worth the drive, even with gas at $4 per gallon! What a great post!
view madampince's profile
@madampince, see if you can find another local person to go with you, to share the costs of gas.
I have read many times of people getting together for IKEA trips or trips to large stores that they don't have in their area. Especially if it's a "go look around" trip.
That's different than a "I have a list and need all this stuff" trip, of course.
You can spend a bunch of time wandering around, and taking notes on what is there. Or take pictures if you have a camera (and if they allow it). Then everyone can grab lunch and head home. You'll appreciate the ride home after walking around all day.
Oh! Another tip for everyone: Paint...
You know you want to paint, and have a vague idea on what you want, some peachy-pinky-beige tone. Or some greenish-gray tone. But you might not need to paint right away.
So, what you do is get a larger paint bucket, especially if you can start off at Habitat (or local stores that sell OOPS paint). That bit left in the bucket is still good paint. But not enough. So you add to it, whatever else you find, that is in that mystery color range.
It's a good, inexpensive fix for when you need to paint. It can also be a great way to prime your walls for a more costly brand.
Anyway, if you go to your closest store, let everyone know how it goes, what's there, average costs, etc. That might encourage more people to check out these stores, to buy or to donate.
view TRUE BLUE's profile