A Win-Win-Win Shopping Spree: The ReStore Story

Okay yes, this is a story about a charitable organization. And yes, they need you – the Atlanta homeowner – to show up. To donate. To volunteer…

To Shop? Yes – finally. Now shopping itself can be an act of charity! Imagine buying all kinds of good stuff and feeling good about it because it's all for a good cause.

That's what ReStores are all about.  As an arm of the non-profit organization Habitat of Humanity, ReStore sells excess and donated home improvement supplies at massive discounts. 

They're open to the public and when I say they are everywhere, I mean they are everywhere. We counted 37 ReStores in Georgia alone. And they sell everything.

Here's how they themselves describe the what – and why – of their business: "When you Shop, Donate and Volunteer at Habitat ReStore, you too help build homes and hope in our community. Together we will create a future where everyone lives in a decent, affordable home."

If you have a home improvement project happening right now, swing by and pick up:

• Doors
• Windows
• Lighting
• Appliances
• Sinks
• Tile
• Cabinetry
• Furniture
• Artwork
• Grout
• Paint
• Hardware
• …Pretty much anything you'd find at a big box store. 

And this is great stuff, loads of it still new and in the box . Lots of it from big brands like Floor and Decor, Daltile, Flooring American Expo, Progressive Lighting, International Design Group and others. 

I recently visited with the vivacious, passionate Stacie Stamper. She's the Donations Coordinator of the Gwinnett ReStore. She loves her job and she's excited about the donations she sees every week. "We recently got a tile donation of 11,000 square feet! Unused, new, still in the box tile! Is that not mind-boggling?"

Here's Stacie (in the white sweater) with a few of the hardworking staffers who unload new stuff every single day:

Stacie needs everyone reading this post to realize that ReStores are truly a win-win-win. If you donate your extra furniture or building material, you get a tax receipt. If you shop at ReStore, you get 50-75% retail prices. And the community wins, because all of the profits go to building homes for needy families. 

So donate your extra furniture and be a good neighbor. Stop by and be a smart shopper. Check out ReStore and you're certain to find a win-win-win for your own home.  

Here are a few photos I recently took at the spacious, clean 2,200 square feet ReStore in the Kroger Shopping Center.  Like I said…they have everything.