The ReStoration Corner

ReStore Operations Coordinator Grant Carlson has worked at ReStore longer than most employees – nearly 14 years! As a longtime fixture at ReStore, Grant has had the chance to see it grow and change throughout the years.

Topics: ReStore Staff, 2021

Guest Blog by Jill Carmody, ReStore Manager at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore

I have always enjoyed the responsible reuse industry. We live on a crowded planet where some have too much and others not enough, and the secondhand market has always been an effective bridge between those two disparate extremes. I like to think of thrift as the original form of recycling, and it is still an incredible way to bring a second, or sometimes third and fourth, life to a product.

Topics: ReStore Staff, 2021

Robin Henrichsen's journey from working at Target headquarters to Habitat ReStore shows that with patience, careful reflection, and dedication, an unexpected turn can lead to new and fulfilling places.

Topics: ReStore Staff, 2021

It's a loaded question, we know, but when the COVID-19 outbreak happened about a month ago MANY things changed. It effected our employment, personal lives, mental health and social norms. Since then Twin Cities Habitat has started to operate virtually with the one goal in mind. To preserve safe, affordable, stable, homeownership. It's more crucial than ever before.

Topics: 2020, ReStore Staff

In 2012 Don Gustafson was hired as a Donations Receiving Assistant, otherwise known as the  ReStore donation truck driver. He’s since logged more than 100,000 miles for ReStore, and operated in all types of weather. The temperature has ranged from -25 to 105 degrees, and has endured a lot wind, rain, and snow.  

Don has since retired but found his way back to ReStore to assist when donation pick up requests skyrocket. I guess this technically isn't a retirement when he’s still driving a ReStore truck. “I tried retirement; it didn't take,” says Don. “This job remains the most interesting position I have held in my 50+ years of work experience. I give my customers back the space in their garages, while telling them about the work we do at the ReStore to support Habitat for Humanity's mission.”  

Topics: 2020, ReStore Staff, Donate

It’s time for another ReStore Upcycle Challenge and we can’t wait to see what our ReStore shoppers have in store for our Freestyle Flip. It is truly amazing to see how many talented DIY-ers live in the Twin Cities area, including Lisa Jepsen, who participated in our last ReStore Upcycle Challenge back in April.

Topics: 2019, DIY, ReStore Staff, Upcycle

When it came time for our ReStores to host the Upcycle Challenge back in April, ReStore Sale Associate, Mark, jumped at the opportunity. For the challenge, anyone could choose a chair from the ReStore and "upcycle" it by turning it into something new. Mark saw the perfect chair—and had the perfect idea to go with it.

Topics: 2019, ReStore Staff, Upcycle

We asked Jan about what it's like working at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore, who the typical shopper is, and what projects she is currently working on. Get some DIY inspiration and visit Jan at the ReStore!

Topics: 2019, ReStore Staff

We continued our conversation with Jan Hagerman, New Brighton ReStore Assistant Manager, and asked her what advice she has for someone new to upcycling or taking on a DIY project. She also gives several reasons "why" she transforms everyday items into something new.

Topics: 2019, ReStore Staff

We sat down with Jan Hagerman, New Brighton ReStore Assistant Manager, and asked her about who inspires her to DIY, and how she became involved with WCCO. Jan is a great advocate of upcycling, re-purposing, and bringing awareness to the the mission of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

Topics: 2019, ReStore Staff