The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Amherst ReStore provides more than good deals
Situated on a small parkway off of Ohio Route 58 in Amherst, sits a small unassuming building known as the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity Amherst ReStore.
While it may not look like much more than a small box store on the outside, the Amherst Restore plays an important role in the community.
“Our Habitat for Humanity Restores are a social enterprise arm for us,” said Laura Potter-Sadowski, associate director of ReStores for Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. “These nonprofit thrift stores focus on providing residents throughout the Greater Cleveland area, including Amherst, with all the items needed for furnishing their first home or apartment and everything in between.”
Opening in November 2022 under the Greater Cleveland moniker, the Amherst ReStore, 300 Rice Industrial Parkway, is a hub for contractors and thrifters due to its low prices and quality items.
“We took over the Amherst ReStore in September of last year and were able to make a quick turnaround and open in November,” Potter-Sadowski said. “And being in this area is really nice for us to be able to continue to expand our message and help to the community.”
While being known as a life preserver in the sea of rising prices, Amherst ReStore has a deeper mission as well.
“The funds that are collected at the ReStore from our items are then put to help pay for our construction programs with Habitat as well as our Affordable Homeowner program,” Potter-Sadowski said.
What the Affordable Homeowner program entails is a focus on families in Lorain and Cuyahoga counties who typically are turned down for loans for purchasing and building homes, she said.
“What we do is we provide them with a mortgage upon applying and then they go through different processes from helping build to working at the Restores to gain what we call equity hours,” Potter-Sadowski said. “From there, they are able to really experience the full Habitat process while also being prepared and happy for their new home.”
And the items at the ReStores don’t just include residential donations.
“We are partnered with many corporate business donors throughout the Greater Cleveland area as well who provide furniture, paint, drywall and more to our stores,” Potter-Sadowski said. “But, we are always looking for more who are interested in helping out as well and are out and about in the community collecting.”
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
Find more information on volunteering or applying for the Affordable Homeowner Program at clevelandhabitat.org.