The ReStoration Corner

About five years ago, Julie O’Neil and her husband bought a house only blocks away from her old home. They decided to flip this new home and were about to start the search for the right materials when someone suggested the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore. From that moment on, Julie became one of the store's biggest fans and expert shoppers.

Sadie was a first-time contender in the Freestyle Flip Upcycle Challenge and she won! After a short conversation, it was clear why everyone loved her creation. Sadie had a ton of experience with upcycling, designing, and creating things from recycled items so this wasn't her first curtain call.

Back in August, ReStore announce its second Upcycle Challenge where people competed in upcycling and transforming items found on the sales floor. Each participant was given up to $50 worth of merchandise or material. The goal was to use your creativity to build anything you could imagine. No limits! Sadie had heard of the first ReStore Upcycle Challenge and decided this time, she was in!

Guest blog post by Dunwoody College students.

Last month, a group of students from Dunwoody College volunteered at the ReStore in Minneapolis. Our group is called Kate’s Club, which is named after Kate Dunwoody, one of the founders of our college. Kate Dunwoody was a philanthropist and a champion of women’s rights in the late 1800s in Minneapolis. Kate’s Club is a group of women students who keep Kate’s legacy alive by doing community service on campus and in the community.

Business donations to the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore keep the store well-stocked and the inventory fresh. ReStore operates on donated products and all revenue supports Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s work building, rehabbing, and repairing homes for local families. Many businesses choose to donate overstock, mis-orders, discontinued items, or storeroom cleanout.

Gayle and her husband Bill have been loyal ReStore shoppers for over eight years now.

"I’ve always been someone who enjoyed repurposing things, so I originally came out to see what the store was all about," Gayle said.  "It’s very organized and clean, and there’s so much variety. I’ve always felt like this was a place that was a really good fit for me. That’s why I come back over and over again!"

When the winter holidays roll around, it's often time to spend big bucks on gifts for friends and family. Well, you don't have to break the bank or spend any time in long lines at big box stores. With a little elbow grease and a trip to ReStore, you can whip up some homemade gifts for under $5 each.

Inventory management is a big part of running a successful business. But sometimes overstock is unavoidable and businesses have a choice to make regarding what to do next. One option that’s a win-win is donating those items to a charitable organization—like the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore. 

There are many reasons that organizations can wind up with too much inventory. There are also many reasons why too much inventory is a bad idea. For starters, excess inventory takes up your finite retail or storage space--whether that’s shelves on a showroom floor or in the back room. Additionally, that inventory costs money. Capital was invested in whatever the excess inventory is, and that capital is now unavailable for other necessary inventory or additional business reinvestments.

As the weather starts to turn cold and you begin moving all of your outdoor summer items inside to store for the winter, it’s a good time to think about getting your garage clean and organized. Let’s face it, decluttering a garage can be a daunting task. It can be easy to just shove stuff wherever you can find space. But there are steps you can take to make the best use out of this storage area. Here are 4 tips to help make the process go smoothly and free up space in your garage. 

Are you looking to update your kitchen or bathroom? Explore plumbing options at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Whether you’re looking to replace your sink or buy a new bathtub, ReStore has something for everyone. Just visit one of our locations and see for yourself!

At ReStore you can donate or shop for a variety of new and gently used plumbing and fixtures. What’s more, all sales at the ReStore benefit Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.