Athens Area Habitat for Humanity to Open Second ReStore on Atlanta Highway

By Rachel Gwyn

Athens Area Habitat for Humanity will open a brand new ReStore on Atlanta Highway on August 20, 2013. The Habitat Affiliate has decided to expand its thrift store operation so that it may reach more people in the Athens community.

The current ReStore at 532 Barber St. will continue regular operations. The new store will be used to expand the existing services in Athens.

The location at 4125 Atlanta Highway provides an increased visibility that the management at Habitat has always wanted.

 “We feel like Atlanta Highway is undergoing a great transformation with the revitalization efforts of that corridor and we want to be a part of it,” said executive director Spencer Frye.

The ReStore will continue to provide a wide array of home furnishings, knick-knacks, books, appliances, clothing, building supplies, and hardware. Vic Peel, the new ReStore manager and mastermind behind Vic’s Vintage on Broad St, will bring to the new store his knowledge of mid-century antiques, collectibles, and furniture.

“I felt compelled by Habitat’s mission to put my involvement with my store on hold. By doing that, I can focus on helping Habitat get the ReStore running," Peel said. "We’re working towards achieving our mutual goal of providing opportunities of homeownership for the people of Athens.”

Vic would like everyone to know that “it will be a modernized store with a great product offering. We’re working on putting in some awesome features like a book nook with wireless internet. We want to bring people into the ReStore to shop around and bring their unwanted items for us to resell. We’re nothing without donations!”

The new ReStore will operate under the same model as the existing store: providing a venue for people to recycle their unwanted items while contributing to a cause that improves the quality of life in Athens. 

The ReStore allows members of the community to donate their furnishings instead of throwing them away when they no longer need them. By donating instead of dumping their goods, they are saving waste from local landfills and contributing to Habitat’s mission. Habitat ReStores then resell the donated items at up to 90% off retail to fund their many projects that they have going on in and around Athens.

The ReStore has helped fund many of Habitat's signature projects in the Athens community. The Emergency Handicap Access Ramp Program would not be possible without assistance from the ReStore. The program has had to rely on the materials and funds generated from the sales in the ReStore to be able to continue to provide ramps for people in need. These ramps are installed on the homes of people who are not able to pay the $1,500 to $3,000 to have one installed by a private company.

Just last year, the ReStore on Barber St. was able to save an estimated 239.99 tons of material from entering the local landfill.

The expanded operation will help Habitat increase their impact in the Athens community.

“Our current store sustains current operations, along with donations and the partnership with Athens Clarke County," said Frye. "Our goal is to be able to build at least two new homes a year with the proceeds from the new store. Every dollar we earn from the donations to the ReStore stays in the Athens community. Your used furniture and items can literally build a brand new home for a family."

There will be a grand opening ceremony on Tuesday, August 20th. This coincides with Athens Habitat’s 25th anniversary. The ReStore will be open Tuesdays – Saturdays from 10 AM – 6 PM.