Habitat ReStore Mission

The mission of the ReStore is to provide revenue for the building of affordable housing, for low income families, through the sales of new and gently used furniture, appliances, and building materials; while promoting environmentally friendly practices.

How does the Habitat ReStore operate and what is its relationship with the Habitat for Humanity Affiliates?

The ReStore accepts donations of household items and building materials. Once the donations are in the store, volunteers and staff work to test and improve the condition of donations and price the donations in accordance with their unique condition. Once priced, the items are moved to and arranged appropriately on the ReStore sales floor. The sales floor then operates like most other sales floors. However, the significant difference of the ReStore in comparison to other stores is that its profits from sales go directly to Habitat for Humanity Affiliates funds to build homes for families in our community.

It’s easiest to think of the ReStore’s operation as a constant fund raiser for the Affiliates mission. The ReStore is open to the public- all are welcome to donate to, volunteer with, and shop at the ReStore!

Habitat ReStore History

The Habitat Restore began in August 1995 as the Habitat Hand-Me-Ups Store in a small building on Chapel Hill Rd. in Durham. Although the store was closed for 3 months in late 1999, it reopened after a day of selling inventory turned into a successful day of making sales and receiving donations. In 2004, the store moved to Shannon Road.

In 2008, Habitat Hand-Me-Ups was renamed under the guidelines of Habitat International as the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, serving Durham and Orange counties. In May 2009, because of growth, a purchase was finalized to move the ReStore to a 36,000-square-foot building on 15/501 in Durham.  A soft opening of the newest location was held in July of 2009, and a grand opening of the store took place in September of 2009.