Habitat working to remodel, enlarge its ReStore
Stanly County’s Habitat for Humanity is raising money to remodel and enlarge its ReStore.
The store, which has been at its current location — 1506 N.C. Highway 24-27 — since the early 2000s, has never been worked on and so it’s “in dire need of remodeling and upgrading,” Executive Director Cemita Gibbs said.
One of the main issues is the ReStore has no heating or air in the facility, a problem for volunteers working during the winter and summer, Gibbs said.
The plan is to add 4,560 square feet of space to the facility, for a total of around 15,500 square feet. The offices for the Habitat staff, currently in a separate building, will also be moved into the facility and more retail space added.
The current building has a lot of space that is not being utilized, Gibbs said.
The building’s outside facade will be updated and the multiple bays along the side of the building will be closed in, except for one central bay for truck access.
Habitat already has contractors for the job and the tentative plan is for the project to be finished by the beginning of next year.
The project has been in the works for around three years, but it took a while to bring everything to fruition, Gibbs said.
The estimated total cost for the project is $450,000. Though Habitat plans to raise much of the money, it is planning to approach individuals and businesses for donations.
Habitat received an $80,000 grant for the project last year from the Cannon Foundation.
“Ultimately we’ve got to raise more money, but that’s a great start,” Gibbs said.
Stanly Habitat has been around since 1988 and the first ReStore opened in 1998. The group is about to start building its 55th house in Badin.
The ReStore is stocked solely with donations from the community and all funds received from purchases go toward building homes. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
In order to be eligible for a new house, prospective homeowners have to put in at least 400 hours of sweat equity toward the building of Habitat homes, including their own, and have to attend homeownership workshops.
If anyone wants to help donate to the ReStore or contribute to the remodeling, visit stanlyhabitat.org.