Habitat for Humanity ReStore
By Kerri Kolensky | Winter 2021 | The Source
For furniture lovers in search of their next piece or accessory, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore locations may have the perfect selection. These resale shops offer designer furnishings and decorations that are donated by homeowners and sold at a more affordable rate than their original retail prices. All of the proceeds directly benefit Habitat, which helps local residents secure affordable housing.
Like most of the Hudson Valley, ReStore has also been impacted by the influx of former city dwellers and weekenders taking up permanent residences. They’re also donating their unwanted pieces. Interior designers, homeowners, and even production designers are benefitting from the luxurious donations. “We’re starting to get a more eclectic variety, which is much more interesting for shopping,” says Lee Anne Albritton, manager of the Ulster County ReStore location in Kingston.
This summer especially, Albritton noticed an uptick in inventory. Most items that ReStore accepts must have no necessary repairs. They also try to take things that are popular among buyers. Lately, that’s included secretary desks, couches by Crate and Barrel, Thomasville Furniture dressers, and other midcentury modern style pieces. For DIY lovers, building materials including hardware, doors, and unused tile scraps are also available.
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In the Hudson Valley locations especially, local artists often donate their work. “We get a lot of curio pieces,” says Albritton. “It’s that cool brass monkey that you might place just perfectly on a shelf.”
The opportunity to find one-of-a-kind items makes Kate Cummings, the owner and designer of Freestyle Restyle, a frequent shopper. Her designs center around repurposing what’s already in the client’s home, but she visits ReStore for pieces that can add character. She shops the store’s lighting, end tables, and even dishware. Over the years, Cummings has acquired items dating back from the 1920s through the 1950s. “You never know what you’re going to find every week, because so much new stuff is coming in. It’s the thrill of the hunt,” she says.
Donations can be made in person at any of the ReStore locations, and larger items can be picked up by the organization. In addition to the Ulster County location, there are three other ReStore shops in the Hudson Valley: Wappingers Falls, Hudson, and Newburgh. There’s lots of potential to find something that’s just right. “If you drive by and one’s open, don’t keep going,” says Cummings. “You better stop.”
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