One man”™s junk is another”™s treasure. If you don”™t believe it, just visit Habitat for Humanity”™s new ReStore on Newburgh”™s Hamilton Street before you throw out that lamp or box of bathroom tiles you”™ve been storing in the basement.
“The community response has been unbelievable,” said Restore manager Chris Knasiak. “People have just been so generous with their donations and we have gotten some lovely pieces. We just received 25 fireplace mantles, all in great condition.”
As she walked through the former Kimball”™s department store, shelves filled with lighting fixtures, plumbing supplies, bath and kitchen tiling and floor tiles filled the downstairs space. Everything from soup to nuts is available to the public at ReStore, which is open Wednesdays through Saturdays.
From doorknobs to clawfoot tubs, hardware, tools, windows and furniture (nothing with fabric is accepted due to state regulations, says Knasiak), the variety and prices will “floor” even those who usually take their business to a big box store. It”™s on a first-come, first-served basis and inventory is always changing.
“When it”™s gone, it”™s gone,” said Knasiak, making her way through a half-dozen volunteers who were polishing furniture donations.Â
ReStore will hold an item for 24 hours and items sold will be held for up to five business days. If it”™s not picked up (sorry, no delivery service), the item will go back on the sales floor and the money refunded to the buyer.
ReStore opened Sept. 12.
“With 3,000 square feet, we”™re relatively small in comparison to other ones across the country, which usually run 12,000 to 15,000 square feet,” said Knasiak. “We consider ourselves a ”˜green”™ store, because some of the items donated, even though they are in perfect condition, would have ended up in the landfill. Instead, they”™ll end up getting put to good use.”
Knasiak and two interns from Mount St. Mary College who major in business and marketing are helping to do inventory, balance books, keep track of buyers and donations and writing press releases. Knasiak has one part-time paid helper on Saturdays, the store”™s busiest day.
On Nov. 8, ReStore will celebrate its official grand opening with a silent auction of 100 oil paintings donated by the family of the late artist Gloria Joan Kressevich, a Newburgh artist. The auction will be held until Saturday, Nov. 29.  Otherwise known as “Black Friday weekend.” Knasiak hopes some will be doing their Christmas shopping at Habitat”™s newest addition. Â
If you have items you”™d like to donate, stop by ReStore or visit www.habitatnewburgh.org/restore.
