Minneapolis ReStore hits $1 Million in sales

After opening its doors in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis in September 2016, the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore home improvement outlet has become a staple of the neighborhood. Now, a year and a half later, it has hit a huge milestone: one million dollars in sales. And all that goes right back to making Habitat homes affordable for homebuyers across the Twin Cities.

“Sales goals that end in a bunch of zeroes are fun to celebrate," said Pete O'Keefe, Senior Manager for ReStore Operations. "Hitting the $1 million milestone this quickly is unusual for Habitat ReStores (850 nationwide) and helps to validate that we picked a great location."

Pete explains that they scoured the Twin Cities to find a second ReStore location that would complement the first Twin Cities ReStore in New Brighton. No matter where they looked, they kept coming back to this location near Minnehaha and Lake Street. "It just felt right," Pete said.

The Minneapolis ReStore is situated within the Minnehaha Mile, a stretch along Minnehaha Avenue that's known for its thrift stores, used book stores, and vintage shops. It was a perfect fit.

The Minneapolis ReStore was created thanks to the generosity of the community. In fact, the vast majority of the materials, labor, marketing, and construction that went into the Minneapolis ReStore was either pro-bono work or in-kind donations. This allowed the Minneapolis ReStore to turn a profit almost immediately and start giving back to Habitat's mission. 

The ReStore team is proud to be a part of building a brighter community. Recently, we partnered with the Bicycle Benefits program to give discounts to bikers—many of whom bike right by the ReStore's front door on the Midtown Greenway.

Our neighbors are happy to have us, too. Here's what they have to say.

Allison Sharkey, Executive Director of Lake Street Council:

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore has been a great addition to the Lake Street corridor. A marketing study we completed two years ago showed an unmet demand in the area for more home improvement stores. We are thrilled that Habitat has been able to help fill that need, as well as provide opportunities for employment.

Laurel Hansen, Social Enterprise Consultant for Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities:

Every time I walk into ReStore, I’m blown away. What an amazing place to shop and donate, for a great cause. You never know what you’ll find at ReStore; it should be everyone’s first stop for home shopping...ReStore is on their way to the next million!

Soren Jensen, Executive Director of the Midtown Greenway Coalition:

We're so pleased to have the ReStore on the Greenway. If they haven't already, I encourage Greenway users to stop in to check it out. There's bike parking right next to the Greenway. I was in the store last week and found a great deal on reflective safety vests that lots of cyclists wear. I also plan to stop back soon to pick up some painting supplies. So much great stuff for sale at amazing prices, and it all helps support a great cause.

Loren Schirber, Owner/Business Manager of Castle Building & Remodeling, Inc:

Congratulations to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore for reaching $1M in sales! We are excited to have one of your stores near our Longfellow showroom on Minnehaha Ave. Whether it is sending a client to find a good deal on a used item that was diverted from a landfill, or Castle donating extra materials and salvage items, the ReStore has been a pleasure to work with! 

Julie Kearns, Founder & Finder of Junket: Tossed & Found:

When Habitat chose to open a ReStore on Minnehaha Ave in 2016, we were thrilled by the visibility and legitimacy they brought to our ongoing efforts to develop a sustainable shopping corridor. Since their arrival, we've appreciated Pete O'Keefe & his team for their continuing collaborative engagement. It's so good to know that the MinneMile has been a good landing spot, and we congratulate the Twin Cities Habitat ReStore this seven-digit milestone!

Shaina Brassard, Program Manager at Seward Redesign:

As the local community development corporation, Seward Redesign was excited to welcome the Habitat for Humanity ReStore to Greater Longfellow, and thrilled to join in celebrating this milestone. Our community has long been passionate about reducing waste, volunteering and supporting the local economy; clearly the ReStore is a perfect fit! ReStore thoughtfully transformed its storefront and added a new curb cut that provides direct access to cyclists using the Midtown Greenway. They are a great neighbor and we wish the entire organization continued success!

"Congratulations to the Minneapolis ReStore team!" said Jill Carmody, ReStore Manager. "Our team has worked very hard over the last year and a half to create a positive impact on Habitat's mission. Every Donation, Customer, and Volunteer helps make it possible to be successful in this community."

Moments before hitting $1 million...

...moments after hitting $1 million!