New store hours for the New Year

Saturdays have always been our busiest days.  Despite being open only five hours our sales are regularly 1 1/2 to 2 times the other days of the week.  We have also found that about half our Saturday sales occur in the last hour of the day.

We have decided that we need to stay open later than 2 pm on Saturdays.  Beginning January 4th we will be open until 4 pm on Saturdays.  Our hope is to better accomodate our customers while taking  better advantage of our best sales day.

Holiday hours at the ReStore

Due to the Christmas and New Year Holidays we will be closed December 24th, 25th, and January 1st.  We will also be closing at 2pm December 31st.  We hope all our customers and donors have a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year.  Thank you for all the support.  We have had a very successful year in our new Prices Corner location.

Habitat ReStore to be featured on Oprah Winfrey Network show

Home Made Simple on the Oprah Winfrey Network will feature the Habitat
ReStore and DIY projects involving ReStore merchandise.   The episode will help Habitat homeowner Toshia Williams celebrate paying off her mortgage after 20 years.

While paying off the mortgage Toshia had not been able to redecorate or update appliances.  She will be doing that now by shopping at the Greater Los Angeles ReStore.  Home Made Simple will share Toshia's story and offer tips on design.

For more information on Home Made Simple and this episode click here.

Buccini/Pollin Group donation still coming

Most of the donation we have gotten from Buccini/Pollin Group has been selling almost as fast as we can get it on the sales floor.  A number of people have expressed regret about missing out on the nice furniture and lighting from this donation.

If you are one those who thought that you missed out check back at the store.  We got in more furniture this past week and there is still more to come.  We have lots of upholstered chairs, ottomans, sofas, and lots of lights.  Along with fixed floor and table lamps we have a number of adjustable floor and desk lamps.

Of course we have plenty of other items worth seeing.  Our store is packed with doors, windows, cabinets, bathroom vanities, furniture, art work, and much more.

Record sales day leads to record month

With three sales days left in the month of November we have already reached a record in sales for one month.  A number of factors have led to the great sales this month.  The donation from Buccini/Pollin Group (which is still coming in), our one year anniversary sale, and some publicity in the local newspaper.

We will be picking up more furniture from Buccini/Pollin Group for a few more weeks.  In the meantime it has been selling almost as fast as we can get it on the floor.  Anyone who thinks they missed out on buying something from the donation may want to check our sales floor again.  Two people have asked us if anymore of a particular item has arrived just as we were getting more on the floor.

Last week's sale celebrating one year in our new location went exceptionally well.  WJBR ran ads during the week and broadcast at our location part of the day, and we had 10% off all purchases.  Our sales for the day were the highest other than our opening day.

Just before the first wave of furniture from BPG there was a write up in The News Journal about the donation.  The paper also put in a nice piece about our anniversary sale.  After more than nine years of existence many people are not aware of the ReStore.  Both of those mentions along with the advertising for the sale have increased the number of people who are aware of the store and the kind of items we sell.

In the future we plan to expand our marketing of the store.  Bank of America Charitable Foundation has awarded Habitat of New Castle County $200,000 which will be used to hire more staff and increase marketing.  The ReStore has grown quickly over the last few years and we are looking forward to major growth continuing into the future

Donation from Wohlsen Construction

Earlier this week we picked up a donation from Wohlsen Construction.  It included doors, windows, and dozens of medicine cabinets.  The medicine cabinets are new in the box and made by Strasser Woodenworks.  They measure 36 x 6.5 x 27.  Strasser medicines cabinets regularly retail for $1000 and more.  We are selling these at a fraction of that amount.

Wohlsen Construction is a leader provider of construction services in the Mid-Atlantic region.   Founded in 1890 in Lancaster, PA the company now has  offices in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.

One year in our new location

Tomorrow, November 10th, is the one year anniversary of our Grand Opening in Prices Corner.  We have been very fortunate in this location.  The store is much more visible and easier to find than our old location.  This has led to an increase in both customers and donation drop-offs.  That in turn has led to a huge increase in sales.  It is difficult to make a direct comparison since the transition from one location to the other caused a steep drop in sales the last few months in the previous location but average monthly sales now are about 40% above what they were in the old location.

Next Saturday, November 16th we will celebrate our anniversary.  All the plans have not been finalized.  We do know we will have a radio station broadcasting from the store.  Other details will be advertised in the local newspaper and on radio.  

We have plans to continue our growth with increased marketing and more donations from companies.  Habitat has hired a procurement manager to solicit donations from local companies.  This will help us bring in more high volume donations that can really drive customers into the store.  It should make for an exciting second year.

More from Buccini/Pollin Group to come

Almost everything we picked up from the Buccini/Pollin Group donation has been priced and put on the sales floor.  We had an entire tractor trailer packed with furniture plus we picked up furniture in our own truck.

The furniture has been selling fast.  We plan on making a few trips this coming week to pick up more of the furniture from the donation.  There is still furniture from The Residences at City Center to be picked up.       This week we will also be getting items from five apartments in Justinson Landing that Buccini/Pollin Group is renovating.

Newark Hotel Donation

We have received a donation from a hotel in Newark that is renovating.  So far we have gotten floor and desk lamps, mirrors, and wall paper.  We expect to receive granite countertops soon.

Furniture donation from Buccini/Pollin Group

The ReStore has picked up part of a large furniture donation from The Buccini/Pollin Group.  BPG owns The Residences at City Center, which provides extended stay accommodations in Wilmington.  The building is being renovated and much of the furniture in the rooms has been only lightly used or is new.

We have a trailer tightly packed with furniture that was picked up last week.  There is more available that we will be getting over the next few weeks.  We will start to get this furniture out on the sales floor in the next week.  The donation includes living room (coffee tables, end tables, arm chairs, etc) and bedroom (dressers, bed frames, nightstands, etc.) furniture.

Just a small sample of the furniture received from Buccini/Pollin Group

Once again we have been fortunate to have Dunkley Discount Movers to assist us.  To pick up this much furniture would not have been possible for our small staff.  Spencer Dunkley and his crew were able to help us load an entire trailer in one day.

Buccini/Pollin Group has been very generous to Habitat and the ReStore over the years.  The company is involved in real estate acquisition, development, and management in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Donation from Sobieski Inc.

Sobieski Inc. dropped off a donation of Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps.  These brand new units are made by Comfortmaker are available now for sale at the ReStore.  Sobieski has been a generous donor to Habitat and the Habitat ReStore over the years.  We have been very fortunate to have their support.

Sobieski is a leading plumbing and HVAC installation and repair company.  Headquartered in Wilmington, DE, the company has locations in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Windows donation from P J Fitzpatrick

P. J. Fitzpatrick dropped off a donation of new windows this past week.  We are in the process of measuring and pricing all of them to get them on the sales floor.  The windows come in a variety of sizes and shapes.  P. J. Fitzpatrick has been a generous supported of Habitat and the ReStore.  We have gotten many doors and windows from them over the years and it is always very high quality.

P. J. Fitzpatrick is a leading home improvement company based in New Castle County.  They serve the entire Delaware Valley.

Next scheduled volunteer orientation

The Habitat ReStore hosts a volunteer seminar every other Wednesday at 2pm.  The next one is scheduled for this Wednesday, September 18th.  Our volunteer coordinator, Kathleen, discusses Habitat, its mission, and projects and talks about volunteer opportunities in the organization.  It is a great way to learn about the organization and find out if volunteering for Habitat is right for you.

The ReStore is always looking for volunteers. We need people to help receive and sort items that come into the store, assist customers, and keep shelves stocked. We have a few regular volunteers but are always interested in people who are willing to come on a regular basis who can help price and run the register.

Orientation lasts about one hour and is held in the employee breakroom at the ReStore.

Labor Day Weekend

It has been such a mild summer compared to the last several summers that it doesn't seem like it is ready to end.  The Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end to summer but coincides with transitions at the ReStore as well.  We lose our Americorps and Lutheran Volunteer Volunteers this time of year and tend to get fewer people signing up to volunteer after the summer.

Our LVC member, Tyler, left at the end of July.  His replacement, Sascha, has started and is doing a great job.  Sascha comes from Germany and is adjusting to a new country while learning the ReStore.  We will have three new Americorps starting in the beginning of October.  Of the three we had this past year Hannah has gone on to a procurement position for the Charlotte, North Carolina store,  Alyson is continuing a couple days a weeks until the end of the month, and Yuri has started an internship in architecture so he is only with us on Saturdays now.

During the summer we get a number of high school students signing up to volunteer to fulfill community service requirements.  With school starting again that number will drop off significantly.  We have been having better luck attracting volunteers since moving to our new location in Prices Corner but we still don't have many regular volunteers.  Someone who can come in occasionally is always welcome but we need regular volunteers who learn the way the store operates and can help with tasks like running the register and pricing.

Habitat ReStore is hiring Procurement Manager

The ReStore in Wilmington is hiring a Procurement Manager.  This position will be responsible for soliciting donations from businesses, scheduling pickups of donations, and supervising the drivers who do the pickups (Donation Ambassadors).  We are hoping to have the position filled by early next month.  Since this position will involve cold calling and establishing relationships with various businesses in the area we prefer someone with outside sales experience.

This position is key to the future growth of the Habitat ReStore.  Keeping a steady supply of quality donations is necessary to keep the store stocked and to bring customers coming back to shop.

The job is posted on Indeed.com.  For the full listing and the link to apply click here.

Vintage Room Now Open!!!

With music playing from a stereo console record player, the ReStore Vintage Room is now open to customers.  The room holds antiques and other collectibles.  Currently we have furniture, tools, books, sheet music, a utility sink, and other items.  For anyone who likes old tools we have manual drills including brace drills and wood planes along with other tools.  The room also has a cobbler's set and a 1920's Burrough's Adding Machine.  These are just a few of the many interesting items in the Vintage Room.

The Vintage Room is located in the back area of the store all the way to the right.  It is the room that used to be the tile and flooring room.

Valspar made paint in the ReStore

We are now carrying Cover Coat paint made by Valspar.  This is a product that is order so we will be able to keep a steady supply of the paint in the store.  We have ordered Interior Flat and Interior Semi-gloss in White, Special Antique White, and Dover White.  Also we have Exterior Flat in White.

Whenever we have had quality paint in the store it has always sold well.  Unfortunately we have not gotten good, new paint donated very often.  Ordering paint from Valspar will allow us to provide a high quality paint product to our customers and, thereby, drive sales of paint supplies and other items.

Since we will have a regular supply of paint we will no longer be accepting paint as a donation from the general public.  Anyone wanting to dispose of paint in Delaware should visit the Delaware Solid Waste Authority's website for information on when and where paint is accepted.

Paint at the ReStore

Taking donated paint has always caused problems for the ReStore.  While many people have donated perfectly good paint most have not.  We had a policy of only taking full, new cans of paint.  Many would offer us paint claiming it was in full cans and in good condition when it clearly was not.  Often we have put paint outside the store with a free sign on it.  We probably dispose of more paint than we sell.

Due to the problems of taking paint as a donation we will no longer accept paint from the public.  Paint received in the store will only be accepted if it comes from a company that sells paint.  This will allow us to sell much better quality paint.

Anyone interested in disposing of paint in the state of Delaware should go to the Delaware Solid Waste Authority's website for information.

More from Bell Supply

After donating two and a half truckloads of vanities, shower bases, medicine cabinets, kitchen sinks, and bathroom sinks last week Bell Supply came back this past Tuesday with more medicine cabinets and vanity tops. There is so much that we have not been able to get all of it on the sales floor. Many of the kitchen sinks and the medicine cabinets are priced and on the floor. We hope to get the rest out during the next week.

Most of the kitchen sinks are located on two racks in the plumbing section of the store against the back wall. The rest of the items that are available for purchase are in other parts of the plumbing section.

Large donation from Bell Supply

Yesterday two trucks arrived from Bell Supply. They were filled with toilets, shower surrounds, shower bases, vanities and other items for bathrooms. Today they came back with a truck about half full of sinks. Most were stainless steel kitchen sinks. There were also a few bathroom sinks. It is going to take some time to sort through and price everything we have received. We will get it on the sales floor as soon as possible.

Bell Supply is a plumbing and HVAC wholesaler. The company has a customer showroom in Newark.

Record sales year at the ReStore

The ReStore's fiscal year ended with the month of June. We had a record sales year. Our sales increased by 20% over the previous year. Considering that we had scaled down operations at our old location to prepare for moving and we were closed for several weeks while moving a 20% increase is quite remarkable.

Our sales since moving have been significantly above what they were in the old location. We are confident that we will see an even bigger increase in sales in the July 2013 - June 2014 fiscal year.

Thank you to all our customers and volunteers who have made this success possible.

Update on relief for tornado victims

A tornado which hit the town of Granbury, TX was particularly devastating to an area where the local affiliate had been building. Many Habitat homes were damaged or destroyed. Habitat of Hood County, which is headquartered in Granbury, operates with an all volunteer staff and builds four to five houses per year.

Several ReStores in the mid-Atlantic area decided to donate the proceeds of one day's sales to the affiliate in Granbury. Our sales from June 13th, a total of $2125.35, will be sent to Habitat of Hood County. Thank you to all our shoppers for making this possible.

ReStore booth at Habitat in Motion

June 22nd Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County will have its biggest fundraiser of the year.  Habitat in Motion is a walk/run/bike event in North Wilmington. The 5k run/walk will occur in Bellevue State Park. 25 and 50 mile bike rides will start in Bellevue State Park. The longer ride will go into Pennsylvania and come back into Delaware. Both rides will go down to Wilmington and go through Brandywine and Rockford Parks before heading up Route 52 to Brandywine Church and turning around.

The ReStore will have a booth at the event. One of our regular volunteers will be at the booth to hand out brochures and tell people about the store. Most of our customers have found out about us through word-of-mouth. We try to attend various events to talk to people about the ReStore to increase public awareness of our store.

Rug sale

The ReStore has gotten so many rugs recently that they are taking up too much space.  We have decided to temporarily reduce the price of rugs.  Until further notice carpets will be $15 each.  Some exclusions do apply.  Also, flooring has been moved from the room on the far right hand of the store.  The tile is now in a room on the far left hand side near doors and the carpet is in the racks at the end of doors.  This move was done to create space for the Vintage Room which will be open at a date to be announced.

ReStore to raise funds for tornado victims in Texas

Recent tornadoes in the Midwest have destroyed thousands of homes and left dozens dead.  Several ReStores in the Mid-Atlantic region are making a donation to the Habitat affiliates in the affected area.  The New Castle County ReStore will donate profits from Thursday, June 13th sales to the Habitat affiliate in Hood County, TX.  The tornado hit an area of Granbury, TX were Habitat had built homes and was in the process of building more.  Most of these houses were badly damaged or destroyed.

Vintage Room coming soon to the ReStore

We often get donations of antiques or other unique items.  In the past we have tried selling some of these items on eBay but that has not often been successful.  We have decided to give these items a separate section.  This will allow for better displays anyone looking for this type of purchase can find it more easily.

The room has to be set up and everything has to be priced.  We will announce the opening of the room on facebook and in our newsletter.

Deconstruction in Greenville almost finished

Last Saturday we had a number of volunteers helping us get items out of a house in Greenville, DE that will be demolished.  We had two trucks shuttling back and forth.  Volunteers on both ends would load the truck at the house and then unload it at the ReStore.

Among the items we got were a number of cabinets, molding, doors, and bathroom fixtures.  We still have to get the rest of the doors and windows.  We need to finish soon since the demolition is set for next week.

Deconstruction at Greenville home

The ReStore has another deconstruction that will be done over the next few weeks.  It is a house in Greenville, DE.  The kitchen cabinets, countertops, bathroom fixtures, Pella windows, doors, and other items will be removed by ReStore staff and volunteers.  These items will be transported to the ReStore to be priced and sold.  The house will then be demolished.

Deconstructions save landfill space by removing usable items from houses, and buildings before demolition.  The owners get a tax deduction for the donation and the ReStore gets saleable items that otherwise would be  demolished with the rest of the building.

Successful DIY class

Last Saturday the ReStore hosted a class on furniture refinishing.  About 25 people attended.  The instructors, Steve and Sal have been involved with Habitat for Humanity New Castle County for years and have a vast amount of knowledge to pass on in do-it-yourself classes.  We are hoping to have more classes of this sort in the future.

The class was recorded.  Leon Barton is in the process of editing the video.  Once that is finished it will be posted on youtube.com.  Search habitatnccpr for all Habitat New Castle County youtube postings including a ReStore commercial.

Sales milestone at the ReStore

Despite slower than usual sales this past February the ReStore hit a major sales milestone during the month.  In the last week of February we reached $2,000,000 in total sales since opening the store almost nine years ago.  The ReStore has grown tremendously during its existence and growth has accelerated in the last few years.

Most of our growth has come through word-of-mouth.  In the last few years we have increased advertising for the ReStore with billboards, a facebook page, and a radio ad.  Moving to a new, more visible, location has also helped people discover us.  It took six years for us to reach $1,000,000 in sales; we reached the $2,000,000 mark less than three years later.  Since moving to the new location we are on an even faster sales pace.  We probably won't make the next million in half the time it took to make the second million but we hope to come close.

One of the keys to our continued success will be finding donors.  We have cultivated a large customer base but we need to increase donations to have enough to sell.  We are working on getting our name out to local stores and other business to encourage donations of discontinued items.  We are also trying to contact retirement communities and real estate agencies in the hopes that we will be recommended as a place for people in transition to donate furniture or other household items that are no longer needed.

We are grateful to all the customers, volunteers, and donors who have made us successful.

Deconstruction at office building

An office building in Wilmington is being converted to be used by non-profits for office space and a school.  Habitat ReStore has the opportunity to get many of the items that are removed from the building.  This not only helps the ReStore obtain a significant number of items to sell but also keeps a large amount of building supplies out of the landfill.

Cabinets and Shelf Units from Deconstruction

The process of deconstructing this nine story building is a lengthy one.  We have been working on it for a couple of weeks now and expect to take a while longer.  So far we have obtained doors and storage cabinets.  Many of the cabinets have already sold but there are more to come.

Doors from Deconstruction

Zenith Products making regular donations to the ReStore

Zenith Products has begun giving regular donations to the ReStore.  We will be picking up a donation from the New Castle headquarters roughly once a week.  Zenith is a leading manufacturer of bathroom storage and organization products.  Some of the companies products include bath cabinets, vanities, shower caddies, shower rods, and other accessories.

The ReStore has received donations from Zenith Products throughout the years.  Everything we have gotten from the company has been a good seller.  Currently we have bath towels, wash cloths, shower caddies, and  curtain rings available.

Companies often have product that can no longer be sold (overstock, discontinued products, returns, etc.) but are still in good condition.  Donating those items to the ReStore allows the company to move the product out of warehouse or sales floor space and get a tax donation.  It also prevents these items from ending in a landfill.  The ReStore is very pleased and excited to have this opportunity to partner with Zenith Products.

DIY class at the ReStore

The ReStore will be hosting a free Do-it-Yourself Furniture Restoration Class.  The class will be held Saturday, April 20th at 10am.  Those attending will have the opportunity for a hands on experience in refinishing a piece of furniture.  If you have ever liked a piece of furniture at the ReStore but it didn't have the quite the right appearance for you this is the time to learn how to make it over to the way you want it.

Space is limited.  Please call Linda Estevez, (302) 652-0365 x107 for a reservation.  Refreshments will be served.

ReStore and the City of Wilmington Art Loop

The first Friday of each month Wilmington has art works on display at various venues in the city.  The Habitat office at 1920 Hutton St. has displayed art for the last few months.

May 3rd the Habitat office will host hand crafted jewelry made by Habitat employee Jess Rick and will have examples of art work that are available for sale at the ReStore.  Jeni Barton, City of Wilmington Art Loop Coordinator and local artist, will curate a showing of art provided by the Annabelle Project.  This project is designed to provide art work for the homes of new Habitat homeowners.  Originally the art went to the Habitat office where homeowners could choose a piece; any leftover items would go to the ReStore for sale.  Now the art goes directly to the ReStore and homeowners are given a voucher to get a chosen item.  

Hours can change depending on the venue.  Access to the Art at the Habitat office will be from 5:30 to 8:30 May 3rd.  Live music and refreshments will also be available.  For more information visit the City of Wilmington's Art Loop website.

Sales milestone at the ReStore

Earlier this week the ReStore reached $2,000,000 in sales.  It has been a long climb from selling out of the warehouse in back of the Habitat for Humanity office in Wilmington and only being open a few hours a week to get to where we are now.  It took six years to reach $1,000,000 in sales but less than three years for the second million.  Now that we are in a retail location that is visible and easy to find we expect to do even better in the years to come.

Thank you to all our shoppers, donors, and volunteers for the success that we have had.

Nicer weather bringing in more sales

Sales and donations were down in February.  That is normal for the ReStore.  Now that the weather shows signs of improving people are starting more household projects and home sales are rising.  That leads to better donations and sales for us.  Last Saturday we had our second best sales day ever. 

The Delaware Home Show went well for us last week.  A lot of people stopped to pick up brochures and hear us talk about the store.  We are hopeful that will lead to people becoming customers and donors. 

With new business we are in need of more volunteers, especially regular volunteers.  Anyone can sign up on the Habitat website by clicking the "Volunteer Now" button.  Also we have been having volunteer orientation seminars.  The next one is scheduled for March 20th.  It will be held at the ReStore at 2pm.  Anyone interested in volunteering for Habitat for Humanity is welcome to attend. 

Spring Home Show

The Habitat ReStore will have a table at the Delaware Home Show this weekend.  We have attended this event a few times and find it to be a great way to introduce the ReStore to people who are not familiar with the store.  People attend the Home Show to learn about local home improvement companies.  By getting our name out at this kind of event we can get donations from those who are having work done on a house.  We also have increased foot traffic in the store after past Home Shows.

The Delaware Home Show is held in the spring and fall each year at the Chase Center in Wilmington, DE.  For more information about this weekend's event click here.

Winter lull

It seems every winter the ReStore goes into a lull.  We don't sell as much or get as many donations in February as we do the rest of the year.  We can't complain too much since a bad month at our new location is still significantly better than a good month at our old location. 

People tend to wait for the spring and summer to start home improvement projects.  February can be the calm before the storm for the ReStore.  With few people remodeling or buying houses at this time of year we aren't getting donations of the old furniture, cabinets, bathroom fixtures, etc. that people dispose of during renovations.  At the same time, customers in the store aren't doing as much around the house so there isn't the need of buying as much from our store. 

In the next couple of weeks things should start to pick up.  The Delaware Home Show will be held in Wilmington the weekend of March 2nd and 3rd.  Whether people get ideas and contract work through the Home Show or not the warmer weather leads to more work being done around the house and an increase in home sales.  That will lead to more donations and more sales. 

ReStore furniture to be featured at Habitat Open House

Starting next week Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County will have an Open House to show of one of its more recent builds.  Furniture from the ReStore will be used to stage the house.  The Open House will be held at 2115 Menser Way Wilmington, DE 19802 from 1pm - 4pm Sunday, February 17th and the following Sunday (February 24th).  It is an opportunity to see the insides of a Habitat house and see how Habitat can transform a neighborhood. 

This house is part of a large Habitat built development in Wilmington in the area of 22nd & Lamotte.  The area has been blighted for some time.  Habitat and the City of Wilmington have worked together to turn the location into a new community with brand new housing and property tax paying residents. 

Menser Way is a new street.  It is not on Google Maps as yet.  Anyone wishing to attend the Open House can go to the 2100 block of Lamotte.  Habitat will have people directing everyone to Menser Way.  Anyone needing more information can contact Linda Estevez, lestevez@habitatncc.org.

Volunteer Orientation at the ReStore

Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County is trying to attract more volunteers especially for the ReStore.  As part of that goal we will be hosting a volunteer orientation at the ReStore (3312 Seminole Av. Wilmington, DE 19808).  It will be a way of letting people know about the organization and where help is needed.  Anyone interested in volunteering at the construction site, the office, or the ReStore is encouraged to attend.  The orientation will be held Wednesday, February 6th at 2pm.  

Refinished furniture from the ReStore

Customers sometimes send in before and after pictures to show what they did with things purchased at the ReStore.  Recently a woman bought a credenza that was a decent piece of furniture but not very attractive.  She was able to transform it into a lovely piece.  She sent pictures and a description of the work she did. 

"The wood was in great shape so I didn't have to do much.  Just stripped off the finish with a citrus based stripping gel and applied a stain/polyurethane combination and hand rubbed an oil based stain called black cherry.  I applied two coats of stain, then I used a hand rubbed satin polyurethane for the finish.  The new hardware is all polished nickel.  Other than finishing it twice and spilling a large can of stain in my basement, it was very easy to do."

Thrift shops often have items that don't seem worthwhile as is.  With some work and imagination, many can be transformed into just what the purchaser wants. 

ReStore is back on eBay

Sometime ago we tried selling items on eBay.  We had some success but not a lot.  After a few items didn't sell at all we decided to stop, at least temporarily, listing items on eBay.  We often get in antiques or unusual donations that can be difficult to sell in the store.  Those things require the right person to come in to the store.  eBay increases or chances of matching up the donation with the right customer.

Our first attempt back on eBay is something we tried to sell before.  A pair of Lemaire Opera Glasses were donated a while back.  When we tried before to sell these opera glasses we only received one bid. That was from someone outside the US and we only ship in the US so the sale had to be cancelled.

We have a number of things set aside to try selling online so, if this sale works out, we will be back on eBay often. We will be adding links to our facebook page when we have an offering on eBay as well as blogging about these items.

QVC donates display shelves

A nearby QVC store is closing.  The company wants to concentrate on selling through the TV programming.  The store management contacted us to find out if we would be interested in the display shelves the store used.  After taking a look at the kind of display shelves the QVC store uses we realized that we could definitely use them.

We picked them up a few days ago and have started using them for the electrical aisle.  Before we had wooden racks that were built at the Habitat warehouse.  The QVC racks give the aisle a more professional look.  ReStore's often have the problem of looking like a garage sale.  Selling used merchandise and often not having the funds to buy display shelves tends to create a poor appearance.  Improving the appearance of the store can attract more customers who will buy more and donate more.  This donation from QVC has already improved our appearance and will make it easier to display new items coming into the store.