Helen Ziegler, of Dexter, looks on as her husband Sam pretends to take a nap as he tests out a chair and ottoman for sale at ReStore, at 170 Aprill Drive, on Friday, July 19, 2013. ReStore recently closed its Jackson Road storefront and reorganized the Aprill Drive location with the additional inventory.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
ReStore is a resale shop that raises funds for the organization that opened in 2006. It will no longer operate out of the storefront on Jackson Road. Instead, all merchandise will be located in the warehouse, 170 Aprill Drive in Scio Township.
An antique dresser for sale is positioned at the front of the ReStore warehouse.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
ReStore opened the storefront, at 3909 Jackson Road, as an extension of its warehouse in 2011 with the intention of increasing visibility and showcasing special items that were often lost in the large warehouse.
“We’re always looking for ways to operate more efficiently so there is more net profit to support Habitat for Humanity,” Whipple said. “When the new fiscal year started July 1 we decided the storefront had been open for a while and we could reinvent ourselves into a one-stop shop. Renting the store is no longer necessary.”
The store, which offers 85 percent donated items and 15 percent new, retail items, closed July 1-4 to reorganize and remodel its warehouse.
“There was so much to do in terms of shifting our furniture and lighting sections,” Whipple said. “But doing so allowed us to make better use of our space.”
A portion of the 16,000-square-foot warehouse has been sectioned off to function similarly to the storefront and will showcase items of interest.
A grand reopening will be held Friday-Sunday in conjunction with ReStore’s seventh anniversary in Washtenaw County.
The event will feature door prizes, free popcorn and pop and discount coupons. There will be a 15 percent off store-wide sale with the exception of a few products.
Net revenue from the ReStore is invested back into Habitat’s homeownership program locally. The store relies on volunteers and donation of products and materials.
ReStore is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
Chelsea Hoedl is an intern reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at choedl@mlive.com.