Need home furnishings? Before you head to Home Goods or Amazon.com, stop by one of the two new “ReStores” in Saratoga County, where you can get everything you need to outfit and furnish a home, and give back to two local housing-related nonprofits: Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together Saratoga.
“The ReStore will be the primary fundraising engine for our organization,” says Charles Burd, manager of the soon-to-be-open Habitat for Humanity ReStore off Exit 17N in Moreau. “The Showcase (of Homes) was instrumental in making the ReStore possible…almost all of last year’s donations from the event were used as seed money for the project and to acquire the building.”
Run by the Saratoga Builders Association, the Showcase of Homes event spans three weekends each fall, allowing the public to take self-guided tours of brand new homes built by area builders competing for awards in various categories. $20 tickets get you access to the homes (18 this year) for the duration of the event. Each time a home is toured, it gets paid forward to Habitat for Humanity (of Northern Saratoga, Warren & Washington Counties) and Rebuilding Together Saratoga.
2016’s record-breaking attendance pushed Showcase past the million dollar mark for lifetime donations, generating $70,000 last year alone. For Habitat, Rebuilding, and the countless people they touch, the outcome could be game-changing.
“This affiliate usually builds one house per year,” explains Burd. “With the store operational, our goal is to increase that to three homes per year – one in each county we serve: Warren, Washington, and Saratoga. The Showcase is a big part of why we’re here, along with our corporate sponsors and private donors.”
“Store” is a bit of an understatement. The massive, 7,000 square foot complex on Route 9 will feature a showroom, retail floor, warehouse, processing center, offices, and house the ReStore moving truck. With inventory ranging from furniture to appliances to building materials, they’ll carry everything you need to build, outfit and decorate a house for 30%-50% off retail prices. The grand opening is currently scheduled for World Habitat Day on October 2 – follow them on Facebook for more information.
While Habitat helps people become homeowners, Rebuilding Together helps people remain in their homes, explains Founder and Executive Director, Michelle Larkin. Since 2004, RT has received funding from Showcase to help homeowners in need with essential repairs to keep structures safe, warm and dry. They’ve completed over 800 projects so far, and hope their new Ballston Spa store – which opened this July – will help them reach more.
Located at 132 Milton Avenue, Rebuilding’s store also sells home goods, new and lightly used furniture, and building items. Donations are accepted. For more information visit www.rtsaratoga.org.
20% Off for Habitat Volunteers
Volunteers are critical to the ReStore’s success! Help our and receive an additional 20% discount as thanks. Habitat is seeking around 10 people to staff the store daily, and help with greeting customers, pricing, cleaning, pick ups and more. If interested, contact [email protected].