Popular Searches
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Share
Building materials outlet to open in Claverack
Habitat for Humanity, under a different kind of roof
Francesca Olsen
CLAVERACK — Next month, Columbia County Habitat for Humanity will open an operation on ground that has already been broken. The project, which is the result of a year of coordinated volunteer effort, will bring a “Habitat ReStore” to the county, an outlet that will accept donated building goods for resale.
Around 650 ReStores already exist in the United States, with some close by in Albany, Newburgh and Schenectady.
“It’s pretty exciting, because it keeps stuff out of landfills. This is excellent for recycling,” said Pat Baer, a member of Habitat for Humanity’s Board of Directors.
Building materials of every genre will be available when the store opens Nov. 14, including siding, old kitchen cabinets, and even appliances.
“It’s good for the community, because we will be selling the merchandise at drastic discounts, generally half or less than half what the merchandise would sell for at a normal retail outlet,” Baer said.
The ReStore will be located at 829 Route 66 in Claverack, at the intersection of Routes 9H and 66. The store will be open Fridays and Saturdays, with about 5,000 square feet of retail space.
In addition to space for the store, the building will also encompass office space for Habitat for Humanity, which is, ironically, a first for the volunteer organization that works to build homes for others.
“This will be the first time. It’s a reflection of the growth of Columbia County Habitat for Humanity that we are finally getting some offices,” said Baer, who added that board meetings have been held in banks and even county office buildings in the past.
“We only about a week ago got approval from the zoning board in Claverack to go ahead. That was a major victory for us.”
The Claverack Zoning Board was, apparently, happy to do it. “They were very supportive,” said Baer. “They liked the concept. It sounded like a very worthwhile business so it was a good audience, indeed.
“We’re accepting donations. We have lots of donations coming in already,” Baer said. Tile, bath fixtures, contractor supplies and more have already been donated, including a set of columns. The store will be staffed by volunteers.
Donation sources are manufacturers, local home improvement stores, remodeling projects, overstocks, mis-orders, and items from homeowners.
“For instance, if a homeowner decides to redo their kitchen, they take out a perfectly good kitchen because it’s not their style. Well, we can take those old kitchen cabinets and resell them,” said Baer.
Last year, Habitat built two houses, both with completely recycled kitchens.
Starting a business is a huge venture, and Habitat also needed to collect funding. Baer said that Habitat collected funding for the specific purpose of opening the store instead of using money that had already been raised, because those who donate to Habitat generally assume their money will go to help build a home for someone who needs one.
“We didn’t want to use funding people were contributing to Habitat, thinking they were having a house built,” Baer said.
All the money from sales at the ReStore will go to build homes.
There is already an existing ReStore model, and Baer said Columbia County Habitat for Humanity got a lot of help from nearby ReStores along the way.
“It’s an incredible network to be part of,” she said. “Anytime we have a question, we can just call them up. It’s that brotherhood of the Habitats. It’s a nice organization to have behind us.”
For more information about the ReStore, or to donate or volunteer, call the local hotline at 518-392-9286.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com. To comment directly on this story, visit www.registerstar.com.
CLAVERACK — Next month, Columbia County Habitat for Humanity will open an operation on ground that has already been broken. The project, which is the result of a year of coordinated volunteer effort, will bring a “Habitat ReStore” to the county, an outlet that will accept donated building goods for resale.
Around 650 ReStores already exist in the United States, with some close by in Albany, Newburgh and Schenectady.
“It’s pretty exciting, because it keeps stuff out of landfills. This is excellent for recycling,” said Pat Baer, a member of Habitat for Humanity’s Board of Directors.
Building materials of every genre will be available when the store opens Nov. 14, including siding, old kitchen cabinets, and even appliances.
“It’s good for the community, because we will be selling the merchandise at drastic discounts, generally half or less than half what the merchandise would sell for at a normal retail outlet,” Baer said.
The ReStore will be located at 829 Route 66 in Claverack, at the intersection of Routes 9H and 66. The store will be open Fridays and Saturdays, with about 5,000 square feet of retail space.
In addition to space for the store, the building will also encompass office space for Habitat for Humanity, which is, ironically, a first for the volunteer organization that works to build homes for others.
“This will be the first time. It’s a reflection of the growth of Columbia County Habitat for Humanity that we are finally getting some offices,” said Baer, who added that board meetings have been held in banks and even county office buildings in the past.
“We only about a week ago got approval from the zoning board in Claverack to go ahead. That was a major victory for us.”
The Claverack Zoning Board was, apparently, happy to do it. “They were very supportive,” said Baer. “They liked the concept. It sounded like a very worthwhile business so it was a good audience, indeed.
“We’re accepting donations. We have lots of donations coming in already,” Baer said. Tile, bath fixtures, contractor supplies and more have already been donated, including a set of columns. The store will be staffed by volunteers.
Donation sources are manufacturers, local home improvement stores, remodeling projects, overstocks, mis-orders, and items from homeowners.
“For instance, if a homeowner decides to redo their kitchen, they take out a perfectly good kitchen because it’s not their style. Well, we can take those old kitchen cabinets and resell them,” said Baer.
Last year, Habitat built two houses, both with completely recycled kitchens.
Starting a business is a huge venture, and Habitat also needed to collect funding. Baer said that Habitat collected funding for the specific purpose of opening the store instead of using money that had already been raised, because those who donate to Habitat generally assume their money will go to help build a home for someone who needs one.
“We didn’t want to use funding people were contributing to Habitat, thinking they were having a house built,” Baer said.
All the money from sales at the ReStore will go to build homes.
There is already an existing ReStore model, and Baer said Columbia County Habitat for Humanity got a lot of help from nearby ReStores along the way.
“It’s an incredible network to be part of,” she said. “Anytime we have a question, we can just call them up. It’s that brotherhood of the Habitats. It’s a nice organization to have behind us.”
For more information about the ReStore, or to donate or volunteer, call the local hotline at 518-392-9286.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com. To comment directly on this story, visit www.registerstar.com.
Share this Article
 |
 |
|
| Attempted abduction in Stockport | Hudson opera lives! |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of registerstar.com.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
