As we get closer to moving we are going to have to figure out how to keep the current location open and running as long as possible while still preparing the new location to open. We will be trying to line up groups of volunteers to help with the move. A few companies in Wilmington have indicated that employees would be willing to assist. We also have a group of Americorps NCCC coming in for about three weeks. Next week a new Lutheran Volunteer Corps member will be starting with the ReStore and three Americorps volunteers will start over the next few weeks.
The renovations in the building are progressing. Everything should be done by the end of the month. After that it will be necessary to get a certificate of occupancy from the county. We are hoping that comes close to the beginning of September. Once that is issued we can start the actual move.
We need to install fixtures (shelving, racks, counterspace, etc.). Some of these will have to be anchored to the floor or to walls so it will be done by professionals. The Americorps NCCC group will be building some of the fixtures we will need. Because this will be such a large location we are planning to have wheeled platforms on which to place appliances and other large items. We have the specs for these fixtures so Americorps can get started on that when they arrive next month.
As soon as we get access to the building we will be able to start moving product over there. All pick-ups will go straight to the new location at that time. We will also start moving some of our best items to the new location. We are hoping to sell most of what is left in the store so we don't have to move more than absolutely necessary.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering can contact Chris Schei, cschei@habitatncc.org or (302) 652-0365 x111.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
eBay items this week
We have posted two items to eBay this week. Both are film related. We have a listing of three 8mm films and a listing of a hardback novel that was released to correspond with the release of a film based on the novel.
The 8mm films are An American in Orbit, Fox and the Grapes, and Terry Bears Plumber's Helpers. All three are in the original box. The boxes have some signs of wear but are in good condition.
The novel is Little Old New York by Rida Johnson Young. It was made into a movie in 1923. The movie starred Marion Davies. This edition of the novel contains still photos from the movie. The spine of the book is in poor condition but the pages are intact. Despite the condition it could still be an attractive collector's item for a fan of silent film or a Marion Davies fan.
The listing for both items will end Wednesday, August 15th at 1:12.
The 8mm films are An American in Orbit, Fox and the Grapes, and Terry Bears Plumber's Helpers. All three are in the original box. The boxes have some signs of wear but are in good condition.
The novel is Little Old New York by Rida Johnson Young. It was made into a movie in 1923. The movie starred Marion Davies. This edition of the novel contains still photos from the movie. The spine of the book is in poor condition but the pages are intact. Despite the condition it could still be an attractive collector's item for a fan of silent film or a Marion Davies fan.
The listing for both items will end Wednesday, August 15th at 1:12.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Latest on new location
Work is coming along well at the new location. The repairs have been going on for about a month. It still has a long way until it looks like a retail building.
The building has a new roof. Doorways have been knocked into the wall so there is better access from the front area of the store to the back. Restrooms are being constucted. The building will have a restroom area for customers and a separate restroom for employees. Work has also started on the employee breakroom. The offices need a lot of work, a customer entrance needs to be cut out of the front, and the building has to be painted.
We have started to map out the way we want to arrange the store. We will have to acquire a large supply of shelving and other display racks. Since some of the display racks will need to be built we have applied to get an Americorps group. If our request is approved we will have a group for several weeks. They will be able to build any structures we need as well as help moving things to the new store.
We are still aiming for late October to open the new location. If that changes we will update information through our facebook page and our website.
The building has a new roof. Doorways have been knocked into the wall so there is better access from the front area of the store to the back. Restrooms are being constucted. The building will have a restroom area for customers and a separate restroom for employees. Work has also started on the employee breakroom. The offices need a lot of work, a customer entrance needs to be cut out of the front, and the building has to be painted.
We have started to map out the way we want to arrange the store. We will have to acquire a large supply of shelving and other display racks. Since some of the display racks will need to be built we have applied to get an Americorps group. If our request is approved we will have a group for several weeks. They will be able to build any structures we need as well as help moving things to the new store.
We are still aiming for late October to open the new location. If that changes we will update information through our facebook page and our website.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Once again we are saying goodbye to two volunteers
During this past year we have been fortunate to again have a member of Luther Volunteer Corps, Matt, working in the ReStore. During the summer we have also had a young man, Gabriel, from Florida volunteering in the store while staying in Delaware for the summer. Today is the last day for both.
Matt is a hard worker who is willing to do anything needed. The bulk of his time was spent going out on the truck pick-ing up donations but he also set up our eBay account. Matt rang the register, helped customers, or whatever else needed to be done.
A willingness to do anything extended to Matt's personality. Coming from Minnesota he wanted to see as much of this area of the country as he could. Weekends often meant trips to Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, or D. C. Matt will be taking a roundabout way back to Minnesota traveling to Boston first before heading west.
Along with traveling, Matt wanted to try any food he hadn't had before. He became such a fan of Capriotti's Sub Shop (especially the bobby) we are convinced he will eventually open the first franchise in Minnesota but he will wind up being the locations best customer.
Often we get young people volunteering at the store because it is required for school or a parent doesn't want the teenager sitting around all summer. Many turn out to be good volunteers but some are just putting in time and don't want to be here. Gabriel hasn't just been a good volunteer he has been terrific. He works hard, is polite and friendly, and he does everything he is asked in a prompt manner. He will be returning to Florida for his senior year in high school.
We will miss Matt and Gabriel but wish them luck with future endeavors.
Matt is a hard worker who is willing to do anything needed. The bulk of his time was spent going out on the truck pick-ing up donations but he also set up our eBay account. Matt rang the register, helped customers, or whatever else needed to be done.
A willingness to do anything extended to Matt's personality. Coming from Minnesota he wanted to see as much of this area of the country as he could. Weekends often meant trips to Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, or D. C. Matt will be taking a roundabout way back to Minnesota traveling to Boston first before heading west.
Along with traveling, Matt wanted to try any food he hadn't had before. He became such a fan of Capriotti's Sub Shop (especially the bobby) we are convinced he will eventually open the first franchise in Minnesota but he will wind up being the locations best customer.
Often we get young people volunteering at the store because it is required for school or a parent doesn't want the teenager sitting around all summer. Many turn out to be good volunteers but some are just putting in time and don't want to be here. Gabriel hasn't just been a good volunteer he has been terrific. He works hard, is polite and friendly, and he does everything he is asked in a prompt manner. He will be returning to Florida for his senior year in high school.
We will miss Matt and Gabriel but wish them luck with future endeavors.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Plans for move to new location
While work is being done on the building where we will be moving, we have been making plans for the layout, signage, advertising, and the logistics of moving items that fill a 10,000 square foot area to the new 30,000 square foot location.
Last week two of us went to other ReStores in the area to see how those stores are laid out. We got a number of good ideas and took some pictures to help us design the new store. Starting next week we will be having regular committee meetings to formulate all our plans and determine how best to carry them out.
Since the new location will be so much bigger than the current one we will have to plan for how to move things around the store. We will be getting a forklift. That will be a huge help. We also plan to put many of the larger items on wheeled platforms. It will make it easier to rearrange areas as well as take items out of the store after purchase. Many of the ReStores use these kinds of platforms so we have the designs. We will need a large volunteer group to put them together. We are hoping to get an Americorps group to help with some of the work that needs to be done.
The work repairing the building will take until the end of August. We will be able to start setting up registers, shelving, laying out aisles and making other preparations starting in the beginning of September. The actual move of everything from one location to the other is going to be what takes the most time and effort. The timetable may change but it looks now like the opening will be late October.
Last week two of us went to other ReStores in the area to see how those stores are laid out. We got a number of good ideas and took some pictures to help us design the new store. Starting next week we will be having regular committee meetings to formulate all our plans and determine how best to carry them out.
Since the new location will be so much bigger than the current one we will have to plan for how to move things around the store. We will be getting a forklift. That will be a huge help. We also plan to put many of the larger items on wheeled platforms. It will make it easier to rearrange areas as well as take items out of the store after purchase. Many of the ReStores use these kinds of platforms so we have the designs. We will need a large volunteer group to put them together. We are hoping to get an Americorps group to help with some of the work that needs to be done.
The work repairing the building will take until the end of August. We will be able to start setting up registers, shelving, laying out aisles and making other preparations starting in the beginning of September. The actual move of everything from one location to the other is going to be what takes the most time and effort. The timetable may change but it looks now like the opening will be late October.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Work being done on new ReStore location
We had a chance to go into the new location for the ReStore. The building does need a lot of work before we can move there. It needs a new roof, an opening for the customers' entrance has to be cut out of the front (pictured below to the right) and two doorways will be added for customers to get from the front section of the store to the back area ( pictured at bottom), offices and an employee breakroom will be built, restrooms need to be constructed, and the building has to be painted.
This work will take about two months to complete. After that it will take some time for us to set up signage, registers, office furniture, and everything we need to run the store. Then we will have to execute the actual move. That will take several weeks. We are hoping the new store will open some time in mid to late October.
We will continue to give updates through this blog, our website, and our facebook page.
Friday, July 6, 2012
LVC and Americorps at the ReStore
Since the ReStore tries to keep costs down by having as few paid staff as possible we rely heavily on volunteers. Most of the volunteers we get are people who are coming for a short period of time. We get a lot of high school students who are required to do community service for school. Some people come to fill the time while in between jobs or during summer break from school. We also have a few volunteers who come on a regular or semi-regular schedule.
While we could not function without all these volunteers, we do need people who are full-time employees required to work so we know the store will be properly staffed each day. Without a large paid staff we instead use Americorps and Lutheran Volunteer Corps to fill positions. Both of these organizations provide young people to work with non-profits for a year at a time and pay a stipend to help with living costs. The LVC volunteers in Wilmington come from various locations. The organization provides housing for the volunteers. The Americorps volunteers we have had at the store have all been from the area so none have been in need of housing but Americorps does offer an education award that can be used for future college courses or to pay off student loans.
We are currently in the process of setting up interviews with potential Americorps and LVC volunteers who will start later this year. In the past two years we have had an LVCer to drive the truck to pick-up donations and in two of the last three years we have had an Americorps volunteer to work in the store running the register and helping customers.
Sales have been increasing rapidly over the past two years and we are planning a move to a bigger, more visible location that we anticipate will bring in more customers. We would not be able to accomplish this with just the paid staff we have. Without Americorps and Lutheran Volunteer Corps we could not have had near the success we have had or hope to have in the coming year.
While we could not function without all these volunteers, we do need people who are full-time employees required to work so we know the store will be properly staffed each day. Without a large paid staff we instead use Americorps and Lutheran Volunteer Corps to fill positions. Both of these organizations provide young people to work with non-profits for a year at a time and pay a stipend to help with living costs. The LVC volunteers in Wilmington come from various locations. The organization provides housing for the volunteers. The Americorps volunteers we have had at the store have all been from the area so none have been in need of housing but Americorps does offer an education award that can be used for future college courses or to pay off student loans.
We are currently in the process of setting up interviews with potential Americorps and LVC volunteers who will start later this year. In the past two years we have had an LVCer to drive the truck to pick-up donations and in two of the last three years we have had an Americorps volunteer to work in the store running the register and helping customers.
Sales have been increasing rapidly over the past two years and we are planning a move to a bigger, more visible location that we anticipate will bring in more customers. We would not be able to accomplish this with just the paid staff we have. Without Americorps and Lutheran Volunteer Corps we could not have had near the success we have had or hope to have in the coming year.
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