But besides helping people, another major selling point for
ReStores is helping to protect the environment - by reducing the
number of perfectly usable items that wind up in landfills, and
reducing the energy it takes for disposal.

A ReStore committee chaired by Robert Donohue has been working
for months to find the right location in Southeastern
Connecticut and to prepare business and operational plans. Ben
Orvedal chairs the subcommittee evaluating potential sites.

Habitat Executive Director Terri O’Rourke, who has a strong background
in retail management, and Habitat construction manager
Lee Watrous have been advising the group. “Builders donations of
materials from construction changes and leftovers will be a prime
source for store inventoryinventory,” said Watrous. One notable
example is a complete set of custom cherry kitchen cabinets
donated to Habitat when the homeowner decided they weren’t
quite right.

Keeping the quality of goods high, which will doubtless mean
rejecting some items, is essential for success, say committee members
who have visited other ReStores. So, too, is frequent turnover
of merchandise. A full time store manager will be hired when the
process is further along.

Meanwhile, Habitat welcomes donations of shelving and other
fixtures for the ReStore, as well as temporary storage space for
quality items already accumulated.
The ideal ReStore will have about 12,000-15,000 square feet of
retail and storage space, ample parking, a loading dock, good
visibility, and be accessible to lower income families who could
benefit from it the most.

The ideal ReStore volunteer is someone comfortable in retail,
reliable and willing to commit to a set number of hours on a regular
basis. It’s not too early to contact Habitat and leave your name.
Email us at or call 860-442-
7890, press 3.We’d love to hear from you.