Habitat for Humanity “ReStore” set to build a third house

STAUNTON, Va. (WHSV) - The Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Habitat for Humanity ReStore is set to finish its third house this year.

After a fire burned down the former ReStore location in Staunton, Habitat for Humanity was left to quickly pick up the pieces. Though the store did not burn down completely, Habitat knew the location suffered too much smoke damage and had to find a new home.

Lance Barton, executive director of the SAW Habitat, said though it was a tragedy at the time, it has been a “blessing” for the organization. He said where one door shuts, another five open.

“We’re kind of the organization that we sometimes do our best under the worst of circumstances,” Barton said. “We had a fire in the building and then we had COVID, it’s really what brought out the best in us.”

On the outside and the shelves, the store appears to be another thrift store in the Queen City. However, the ReStore is unique because of its contribution to the SAW community. People who shop at the store are not only getting a good deal for unique items, they are also contributing to housing projects through Habitat for Humanity.

“Two years ago, the restore built its first house for Habitat entirely from restore money,” ReStore Manager Angela Terry said. “We built our second house last year and we are working on our third house this year.”

According to Barton, Habitat for Humanity’s mission is often confused by people. The organization does not build houses and gives them to people without a home or job. The organization builds houses for people in the ALICE population or low-income working-class people. The people often help with the construction of the house, and still pay upkeep for the home.

Habitat has separate projects throughout the year to build affordable homes. The money raised by the ReStore is in addition to these projects, rather than funding current projects that are already underway. In 2023, the expected revenue of the ReStore was expected to be lower than in years past, but Barton said customers shocked the organization with the amount of support they offered to the store.

“The restore has consistently exceeded the goals that we put to it. For example, we thought this year was going to be a little bit slower,” Barton said. “It ended up being a very busy year and that’s very exciting because, by the time we get to March, the ReStore will have built yet another house.”

Barton emphasized the community’s support of the ReStore. Previously, the store often struggled to keep up with building houses before it burned down. Once the fire happened and the COVID-19 pandemic started, Barton and his team took the opportunity to find creative ways to operate the store and be a beacon in the community whilst helping people in need. He said one of the driving factors behind the success of the store has always been the Staunton community and the customers who shop at the store.

“Our repeat customers we get to know them by name, by their family, what’s going on in their lives. We have an interesting mix of people who come in and shop every day. Some people we see weekly, trying to find a good deal. You never know, every day we have new items and new things to find,” Terry said.

The store runs off of volunteers. Terry said retired people and other folks across the community dedicate a lot of time to helping the store function on a day-to-day basis. Though the store is only open for shopping from Wednesday through Friday, Terry said volunteers are needed to help organize the store, sort through deliveries and other behind-the-scenes tasks that are essential to its operation.

If you’d like to volunteer at the store, you can contact either Terry or Barton with more information. The store can be found at 818 Greenville Ave, Staunton, VA.