Posted Saturday, August 18, 2018 9:47 pm

By COLBY DENTON, Cleveland Daily Banner

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland hosted a ribbon cutting on Friday to commemorate the rejuvenation of its  ReStore location beside its office on Grove Avenue.

ReStore manager Dave Williams stated when the northside store closed, residents believed the ReStore was closing all locations. He  stressed that is not the case.

“We’re trying to get the great community of Cleveland to realize the Habitat for Humanity ReStore is open, alive and well,” Williams said. “We’ve got sales going on. We’ve had quite the facelift.”

Williams encouraged everyone in the community to shop around, get some good deals and know the money you spend is going to help build homes in the surrounding community. While a common misconception of the ReStore is  it’s only for contractors, it is indeed open to the public.

“This is a cycle of blessing, where people bring us lightly-used items, which we then put a reasonable price on, sell and then use that money to build homes,” Williams added. “It’s a win, win, win. We also don’t just have used items, we also have brand new furniture and appliances. I tell everyone to check out the ReStore first, and then go to the big box stores.”

The ReStore has been  painted the new, light blue colors of the Habitat logo. The inside has also been revamped and the parking lot  improved.

Habitat of Cleveland executive director Tammy Johnson stated they did this to encourage the people of Cleveland to come check them out and see what they have to offer.

Habitat is allowed to carry up to 15 percent of purchased product, which includes new laminate hardwood floors, new paint supplies, new and used furniture, books, clothing, housewares and a variety of other hidden treasures.

“Habitat has such a good, two-fold system,” stated Habitat volunteer services manager LaManda Bowers. “We are keeping literally tons of trash out of landfillss. We offer volunteer opportunities for those who need service hours in our community.”

Johnson stressed how money raised by Habitat remains in Cleveland, contrary to some nonprofits, which don’t recycle their earnings back into their community.

“You can always know  Habitat is putting the money it makes back into Cleveland,” Johnson said.

A large ribbon was cut by Johnson while surrounded by Habitat partners, Chamber of Commerce representatives, Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis and various other community leaders. 

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore can be contacted at 423-473-4610 and is located at 300 Grove Avenue.