Habitat takes Burnside site for third ReStore outlet

Habitat for Humanity Victoria is opening its third ReStore outlet this fall.

The new and used building supplies retailer will be located at 50 Burnside Rd., where Home Hardware is currently closing.

Habitat Victoria takes over the location with 11,500 square feet on Sept. 1 and will be open for business in mid-October, said Yolanda Meijer, chief executive of the nonprofit organization.

This store will be in addition to its existing 8,000-square-foot store on Oak Street and its 12,000square-foot store on Orono Road in Langford.

Having a third store means “we will be able to carry a greater range of stuff,” Meijer said.

So many donations come in that Oak Street can become overwhelmed because of its small receiving area. Having another store will help spread out the donations. The Oak Street store may become more like a boutique and more upscale in its offerings, Meijer said. “Just really cleave off some of our top stuff.”

When hotels renovate, ReStore can get “massive donations,” Meijer said. “In order to better handle the volume that we’ve been working with, we’ve been looking for another store.”

The ReStores are so successful that they fully fund the operational overhead of the charity, as well as helping to contribute to the organization’s building fund.

The home and building supply stores take donations of new and used building materials, plus furniture, appliances and home accessories.

Habitat Victoria builds affordable duplexes or townhomes for families in the capital region. So far, it has put up 22 homes and is planning for more. Buyers must contribute 500 volunteer hours with Habitat. Its financing model allows families, who otherwise would not be able to own a home, to own one. Down payments are not always required. Mortgage payments are established so that they do not exceed 30 per cent of household income.