Habitat for Humanity’s Florence ReStore is now open to the public, with dozens of customers filing through the affordable home goods store on its first day back in operation since relocating.
The location has relocated to a larger storefront, situated at 7102 Turfway Road within the Turfway Town Square shopping center. It was previously located along US-42 across from Ockermann Middle School.
The ReStore, which is operated by the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati, is a nonprofit initiative that sells lightly used home goods, furniture, appliances and construction materials at discounted prices. ReStores help decrease waste by salvaging usable items from landfills, saving them, and reselling them at lower prices. They also accept donations from the community.
On Friday, officials from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati, Boone County and the City of Florence participated in a ribbon-cutting event marking the reopening of the Florence ReStore.
Joe Hansbauer, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati, stated that the stores are designed to help first-time homebuyers cover the expenses of homeownership.
“All the proceeds from our area ReStores help us build more houses every year for first-time home buyers to start their home ownership here,” Hansbauer said. “It’s a big part of our mission, and an easy way for folks to engage with Habitat, both from a volunteer or just come on in and shop.”
Hansbauer said that all the money earned by the store is directed back into Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build and renovate affordable homes for families in need. ReStores rely on volunteers for their operation, which reduces costs and enhances support for Habitat’s housing initiatives.
Inside the store, customers are welcomed by a wide selection of secondhand home goods. Upon entry, they’ll notice sofas, chairs, and other living room furniture, all cleaned and in good condition.
There is a section dedicated to appliances, where shoppers will find refrigerators, washers, and dryers. Additional areas display items such as light fixtures and rugs. There’s also an aisle with used tools and renovation equipment, all at discounted prices.
To prepare the space for ReStore’s move-in, the storefront needed extensive renovations. Habitat for Humanity ReStore Director Steve Wilt commended the project’s construction team, who installed new walls, aisles, and other infrastructure within the store.
“When you walk in and you see it, you see it’s beautiful,” he said. “It’s probably the greatest one we have right now–I might be a little bit biased, since I had to do most of it. It’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears, mostly tears, but it’s been a fun journey, and everybody’s been a big help.”
Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore highlighted ReStore’s mission, stating that it is an integral part of Boone County’s nonprofit sector.
“I’ve been a huge fan of Habitat for all these years, and to learn about this model where the proceeds are helping go back into the program to build homes or to provide homes for those that qualify for the program,” he said. “I’m here today just to support the program, raise awareness that if people will use this facility and produce revenue, that that revenue is going toward this cause.”
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati runs six ReStore stores throughout the region, including four in Ohio and two in Northern Kentucky. The second Northern Kentucky store is located at 15 Donnermeyer Drive in Bellevue.
The Florence location operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store is closed on Sundays.