BY ELLIE WEBER AND NELSON O. GUTIERREZ<\/p>\n
On West Main Street lies an unassuming white building whose awnings have been painted bright yellow. Through the windows, one can see an array of couches, differing in sizes, shapes and colors as well as eras. Beyond the couches are tall piles of dining sets and hutches that once held fine dishes. In another room, there is an indiscernible pile of metal sheeting accompanied by random kitchen cabinets. To some, it may seem like a pile of junk but to the organization Habitat for Humanity, it\u2019s opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n This is Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore.<\/p>\n \u201cIf these things weren\u2019t being sold here, they\u2019d end up in a landfill,\u201d said ReStore manager Bryson Bridges. The donated items he refers to are brought in locally, and their profits stay in the area as well. \u201cThe ReStores brought in $2.5 million last year,\u201d said Bridges. \u201cOther than a small portion, everything stays here in Peoria and surrounding communities and directly benefits them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Some may be surprised to learn that this expansive thrift store can turn such a profit, but according to customers who shop often, it doesn\u2019t come as a surprise. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI come in all the time, maybe 3 or 4 times a week.\u201d said customer Bruce Henderson. \u201cWe own a Victorian house that requires materials you just can\u2019t pick up at Walmart. There\u2019s always something new in here too, there\u2019s always a bargain waiting around the corner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The ReStore\u2019s profits feed into Habitat for Humanity, an organization focused on providing fair housing to families who are first-time homeowners earning less than the area median income. These families don\u2019t just receive their homes, however. According to Bridges, they put in quite a bit of work themselves. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThese families have to put in 300-500 sweat equity hours, meaning they have to work on their own homes and sometimes on others,\u201d said Bridges. \u201cThey go through quite the process to make sure they\u2019re right for the amount of work that has to go into building these houses.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n After they provide the work, these families receive the homes with no-interest mortgages that just recoup the cost of materials. \u201cThese homes can be worth $110,000,\u201d said Bridges. \u201cWe only charge them $75,000 – $80,000 and that can mean a lot to these folks.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n The store provides a bulk of the funding for the organization, which can build up to 8 houses in a season. Beyond funding, however, the shop means a lot to its customers and employees. \u201cThis isn\u2019t just for folks who need charity,\u201d said Henderson. \u201cFolks of all kinds can find something they need and get it at a fair price.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Employee Bonnie Mason was a long-time customer before she began working at ReStore. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a really good feeling to sell things that not only help people with great deals, but the money that comes in goes to such an absolutely wonderful cause,” said Mason.<\/span><\/p>\n The ReStore staff looks forward to the end of the year, where they\u2019re predicted to break over $3 million in profits. Before getting rid of that old recliner or chest of drawers, consider taking it to the old white building with bright yellow awnings \u2013 they\u2019ll be able to do a lot of good with it.<\/span><\/p>\n