Reduce, reuse, ReStore at new Habitat location

By D.A. Wilkinson

The Habitat program recycles items to help the environment.

SALEM — ReStore it, and they will come.

Habitat For Humanity of Northern Columbiana County is one of the Habitat programs in northeastern Ohio that is going into business.

Barbara Loudon, executive director for the local program, said Mahoning, Portage and Summit counties have or are opening non-profit ReStores

Columbiana County’s Habitat program started in 1992 and has built 22 homes in Salem. It has also built homes in Columbiana and Leetonia.

“Many people think the homes are free,” Loudon said.

Instead, the future owners work side by side with volunteers to build a home.

Habitat is a Christian organization that handles the mortgages and insurance on the homes, charging no interest and making no profit as it follows biblical principles.

The Salem store will have its grand opening from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 6 at 1285 B East Pidgeon Road.

Instead of having a series of events to raise funds throughout the year, Loudon said the ReStore, “is a perpetual fund raiser.”

When it comes to donations for the new store, Loudon said, “People have been very generous.”

The store will offer building materials, appliances, doors and frames, appliances, furniture and other items.

ReStore won’t take opened cans of paint, pesticides, mattresses, toys or clothes.

Each week will be a mix of construction items and furnishings, depending on what is donated.

The store now has stuffed furniture, wood furniture, appliances, lighting fixtures, cupboards, paintings and sinks.

Some of the donated lights were installed in the new store. Donations are tax-deductible.

Loudon said items may come from people who are either improving or de-cluttering their home.

Contractors donated baseboards to Habitat, which it used in its homes.

Habitat also received donated crown moldings, which it doesn’t use in the houses. So, it sold the crown molding.

Habitat doesn’t provide furnishings, so clients may be customers as well.

The store may offer small savings for the budget conscious, such as being able to sell one plate for a light switch, instead of a multi-pack of plates.

The store will also help the environment. Building materials and other items that might wind up in a landfill can be recycled by being sold at the store.

Mickey Weaver, a member of the Habitat committee that helped create the store, said there are 500 ReStores in the United States.

Weaver added the new store “will be a real benefit to the community.”

There will be only one paid employee, Richard Lobdell, who will be the store manager.

The program has a truck with a lift.

People can call (330) 337-4808 to arrange a pickup on Wednesdays. People will have to haul away their purchases.

wilkinson@vindy.com