The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
RESTORE ANNEX STORE NOW OPEN
Habitat for Humanity expands fundraising efforts with new shop
Lorain County Habitat for Humanity is expanding its fundraising efforts with a new store that opened Aug. 17.
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore Annex has clothing, books, collectibles, small housewares and other items for sale at 1330 Cooper Foster Park Road in Lorain.
The Habitat ReStore will remain open at 300 Rice Industrial Parkway in Amherst for selling larger household appliances, furniture, fixtures and building materials.
The new space allows Habitat for Humanity to raise money for its mission to build, rehabilitate and repair homes in partnership with low-income families and area churches.
“Today’s the first day, which is why I’m still working on pricing,” Sales Floor Manager Alyssa Crundwell said at the soft opening Aug. 1 7 as she put price tags on various goods.
The ReStore for years has taken donations of appliances, electronics and other items and sold them for its mission.
The organization received donations of other items, including much clothing that sat in bins.
“It was economical to open and it’s reasonable rent, so we’re happy.”
— Kelly La Rosa, Habitat president and chief executive officer.
“This clothing deserves a bigger space because we get so much of it,” Crundwell said.
At times it was difficult to sort and display the clothes at the Amherst ReStore due to available space, according to Crundwell.
Now both ReStore locations will take donations of gently worn clothing for sale at the Annex.
If items are stained or torn, they are donated to
a North Ridgeville church that sells the material to raise money for its food program, said Kelly La Rosa, Habitat president and chief executive officer.
The Annex is about 5,000 square feet in size and already is filled with clothing for children, women and men. Other items range from books to tableware to shoes.
“We just needed a space specifically for the clothing,” Crundwell said. “And we brought a smattering of other things.”
On opening day, unique finds included an antique
adding machine; artwork, a favorite of LaRosa; and model ships for sale.
“I’m not a ship person but I can appreciate the detail that goes into making those things, so to me, that’s a gem,” Crundwell said.
The building is owned by Lakeshore Auto Wholesalers, across the street at 1423 Cooper Foster Park Road. Owner Frank Fortner was reasonable and helpful about leasing the space to Habitat, La Rosa said.
“That made it possible because we weren’t looking to have more expenses than necessary,” she said.
“It was economical to open and it’s reasonable rent, so we’re happy.”
Fortner also was the first customer of the ReStore Annex, paying $12 for a pair of shoes, La Rosa added.
Habitat staff and volunteers can move items between the stores, so donations will be accepted at both locations, La Rosa said.
The ReStore Annex in Lorain is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays.
The larger ReStore in Amherst is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.