Hometown Habitat News

ReStore Newsletter Retires!

Thank you for your support of the Habitat Lake-Sumter ReStores and for following along over the past year.

As of September 2023, we will be retiring our ReStore Newsletter, but you can stay up-to-date with all of the great things happening in our community!

Please stay in touch by subscribing to Habitat Highlights, our monthly newsletter that shares family stories and impact, community events, ReStore sales, and much more! 

Click here to Subscribe to – Habitat Highlights –

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Shop the Habitat ReStore from Home!

Habitat for Humanity Online ReStore: Shop Now and Save!

Visit our online ReStore!

Habitat for Humanity Lake- Sumter’s ReStore is the store that builds homes. Now you can support Habitat Lake-Sumter and find great deals at our online ReStore from the comfort of your home.   

Our online ReStore opened in response to COVID-19, to give our supporters the option to continue shopping with us in a safe, secure, and socially distanced way. In the online ReStore, you’ll find jewelry, household items, and specialty pieces. Our brick-and-mortar ReStores will continue to sell furniture, building supplies, and much more.

New items are added weekly and special discounts for customers are right around the corner. Items purchased in our online ReStore can be picked up or shipped to you directly, standard shipping rates will apply, and you’ll receive free shipping on orders of $25.00 or more.

 

Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter ReStore’s are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price.

Our ReStores are more than just a place to find great deals, proceeds are used to help build strength, stability, self-reliance, and shelter – 100% of the sales benefit local families and help them to achieve their dreams of homeownership with Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter.

We’re excited to offer select items for purchase online where you can shop at our ReStore 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—every purchase helps local families build homes, community, and hope!

Kingston, Ontario, Canada (12/22/17) Cashier Male Shopper

Click here to visit our Online ReStore

Eustis ReStore: 710 S. Bay St.

Leesburg ReStore: 200 N. Lone Oak Dr.

FREE Donation Pick-ups: 352-589-3005

Habitat for Humanity ReStore reopens in Leesburg

Ann Walls, of Virginia, tries out a couch while shopping at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Leesburg on Wednesday.  Michael Johnson, Daily Sun

Ann Walls, of Virginia, tries out a couch while shopping at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Leesburg on Wednesday.
Michael Johnson, Daily Sun

Two Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter ReStores are now open to the public.

On Wednesday, the Leesburg ReStore at 200 N. Lone Oak Drive and the Eustis ReStore at 710 S. Bay St. reopened after closing in March because of COVID-19. Local residents can come inside the stores again and drop off donations. Staff are wearing masks to help keep people safe.

“We’re very excited to reopen ReStores,” said Lacie Himes, assistant development director for Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter. “They play a huge role in Habitat commissions.”

ReStore: Grand Re-Opening

ReStore Update

ReStore: coming soon!

New things are in store at Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter’s ReStores. We will be re-opening the Eustis and Leesburg ReStores in mid-June!

As we transition back to business, the Groveland and Wildwood locations will remain closed with no scheduled date for re-opening.

 

Take a sneak peek at some of the behind the scenes work at Eustis ReStore,

Our two ReStore locations are opening up bigger and better than you’ve ever seen them. 

We can’t wait to show you all of the hard work the ReStore staff has been doing to prepare the Eustis and Leesburg ReStores for re-opening, with the health and safety of you in mind!

Important Things to Know:

  • Follow us on Facebook! Our official Grand Re-Opening date will be announced soon
  • Donation drop-off will resume on opening day at the Eustis and Leesburg ReStores
  • Free donation pick up will resume scheduling on opening day, throughout our service area (including Wildwood and Groveland!)
  • Health and safety procedures will be in place so you can donate and shop at our ReStores while keeping the community safe

Look For:

  • A new D.I.Y section to inspire your next project
  • Feature items- generators and DeWalt lights- just in time for hurricane season!

 

Our ReStores are vital to our mission of building homes, community, and hope. We believe that everyone deserves a decent and affordable place to call home and when you donate and purchase items from one of our ReStores, you make it possible for Habitat Lake-Sumter to build and repair homes for families in Lake and Sumter counties.

We can’t wait to see you again!

Social Distancing < Declutter Your Home

Simplify, donate, keep, trash, sell, recycle, sort, declutter

 

So, you’ve found yourself at home a bit more than usual? Sounds like the perfect time to de-clutter the closet, start (or finally finish!) that D.I.Y project you’ve been meaning to do, and complete a few things off your home’s “To-Do” list.

We’ve included a list of 5 projects to get you started this week:

  • Paint the Bathroom
  • Re-Caulk the Kitchen Sink
  • Up-cycle an old piece of furniture
  • De-Clutter/Re-Organize your Garage
  • Go outside! Caulk Windows and Exterior Cracks

Want more? Download Habitat’s Home Maintenance & D.I.Y Guide: from organization basics to improving your home’s energy efficiency, you’ll be inspired to tackle something new!

So go ahead, make yourself at home!

 

Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Florida ReStores

Keep the good feelings going! Set aside the items you no longer use and donate them to the Habitat Lake-Sumter ReStore nearest you!

Habitat Lake-Sumter’s ReStores are vital to our mission of building homes, communities, and hope! The purchases and donations made at all 4 of our ReStore locations help to fund our work in supporting families in need of safe, affordable housing.

Since temporarily closing on March 20th, the ReStores are currently unable to accept donations at the store drop-off locations but STAY TUNED: once we re-open, you’ll be able to drop donations off or call (352) 589-3005 to schedule a free pick-up!

Pack it or Pitch it? Tips to Decluttering Your Home After the Holidays

Are you dreading the day the holiday decorations come down? Sorting, stacking and stuffing everything back into storage. A perennial puzzle requiring the virtue of patience needed to ensure everything fits back into a finite amount of space. Perhaps now’s the time to destress by decluttering; letting go of those things that no longer have a place in your space.

Here are a few tips to help you identify the items you can remove without remorse:

Time is not on its side.

Start by evaluating items that make less of an appearance than those annual adornments your packing away. We’re not saying you should toss out precious family heirlooms, but if it’s an everyday object, not worthy of every-year consideration, then it’s likely something you can let go.

Your D.I.Y. is D.O.N.E.

If your Pinterest projects have taken a back seat to more interesting pursuits, it’s probably time pass along the tools of the trade.

Soccer Mom (or Dad) no more.

Suburban garages overflow with memories of glory days. If your tiny tots have outgrown their love of lacrosse, then pick up sticks and pass them along to the next generation. If you’ve outsourced your outdoor maintenance, then the same rule applies to your lawn equipment.

One (or more) of these things does not belong.

So, you have a few great pieces of furniture or art that just don’t fit your new décor or sense of style. Upgrade your look with a “less-is-more” feel and ditch the distractions.

Everything in its place.

Put everything away in your house, then evaluate those things that have no place in your home or your life. If they don’t make either better, it may not be worth finding somewhere to stash them.

You’ll undoubtedly come across a number of things you can do without. You’ll probably even find a few items that you’ll actually be better off without.  Before you dump them on the curb, consider donating items that are in good condition to one of our four local Re-Store locations. Your decluttering donations will help make countless lives better, including your own.

Nifty & Thrifty

You’ve heard the old saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and believe me, there are lots of treasures to be found while thrifting. Browsing through a thrift or resale store may seem fruitless at first glance and you may find yourself a tad underwhelmed, but the most seasoned thrifters will tell you that the key to a good find is a little bit of luck and a lot of looking.  In order to find fantastic deals and ideas for restoring items to their former glory or better, follow these tips and tricks.

Tip #1: Keep an open mind. You are not doing yourself any favors by judging an item in its current condition. Don’t disregard an item because the paint is chipped or you don’t like that crazy color. Even the saddest looking items can be spruced up with a vibrant paint job. Look for pieces that you like the shape and size of, or that need a simple touch up. For outdoor and smaller décor items, there is an array of spray paints that can turn almost any item from boring to beautiful. On bigger furniture pieces, chalk paint is your new best friend. It has the rustic farmhouse look, is easy to apply without prior sanding and is extremely forgiving over scratches and nicks. Experiment with colors, types of paint, and sanding techniques for a piece that will have others asking, “where’d you get that?”

Tip #2: Repurpose an item. 50% of my personal thrift store finds are not being used for what they were originally intended. Let your imagination go wild or take an idea that you’ve seen before and make it your own. Old windows are extremely popular for their versatility, and can be repurposed as photo frames, chalk boards, or coffee mug holders. An old wooden crate can be painted and used as an indoor or outdoor coffee table for that cute coastal look. Find an old real wood dresser? Paint it, distress it, and replace the bottom drawers with decorative baskets for a unique TV stand. The possibilities for repurposing are endless!

Tip#3:  Shop off season. If you follow the trends of thrift store donations, you will find that most people are donating the seasonal items that they aren’t currently using. It is much easier to purge summer items in winter and vice versa. If you are conscious of this, try shopping a season ahead to get first pick on those items. Shopping for winter clothes and Christmas décor in June will allow you to get all your winter items at a reasonable price before the cold rolls around.

Tip #4: Thoroughly inspect your items. While it is not expected for second hand or discounted items to be in perfect condition, make sure you check your items for functionality. Look for wood rot on furniture, holes in clothing, and ask an associate to plug in appliances to ensure they are in working condition. There is nothing worse than a purchase that you can’t use, so take your time to look over your items. I would never advise going into a resale store in a rush as it can be easy to overlook the best bargains and end up with something that you may not use.

Happy Thrifting everyone!


You can try these ideas and find your supplies at any of our 4 ReStores!

Eustis ReStore
710 S. Bay Street
Eustis, FL 32726
352-483-0410
Groveland ReStore
205 Woodfield Court
Groveland, FL 34736
352-429-9052
Leesburg ReStore
200 N. Lone Oak Drive
Leesburg, FL 34748
352-728-6366
Wildwood ReStore
6761 County Rd 148
Wildwood, FL 34785
352-330-0881

Spring Cleaning 101

Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter ReStore logo

Spring is in the air, and so is a record level of pollen and, for some states, unwelcome snow. Whatever your region or affliction, the time is right for some heavy-duty cleaning, and Habitat is here to help! Spring Cleaning is often associated with a full blitz of the house (including the garage, husbands out there) and many times there’s large items that need to go. Habitat for Humanity Lake Sumter has four ReStores that don’t just receive your donated items, we’ll even come get them – it’s free, and all you have to do is give us a call. Furniture, old (but functional) appliances, and electronics that you upgraded from on Black Friday but can’t bring yourself to get rid of; our ReStore truck teams will take it all, with some exceptions. To check if your item is a good fit, give your local ReStore a call, and if it looks good then they’ll get you in touch with the scheduling team to come get it.

Check out this article by Rodale Wellness:  14 Decluttering Secrets for Successful Spring Cleaning
Check out another article by Alex Harris: 21 Simple Hacks to Clean Your House the Smart Way

Cars for Homes banner

One of the lesser-known and more unique ways of supporting Habitat is through the Cars for Homes program. This option allows people who are upgrading their vehicles, downsizing their collection, or simply getting rid of a driveway accessory to donate the vehicle to Habitat, where it is sold and the proceeds support our mission. We don’t just accept cars, either! We can take donations of motorcycles, RV’s, trailers, golf carts, and work trucks. All donations through Cars for Homes receive a tax receipt which may qualify you for a nice deduction, and you’re helping lessen emissions and increase recycling value if you donate. If you’d like to get more info, or see if you have a qualifying item, you can check out the website by clicking here or give us a call at 352-483-0434 x115.

Check out the Cars for Homes Program:  Cars = Homes

Thrift stores are more than treasure chests

 

Habitat for Humanity ReStore logo

That unwanted sweater, tennis racket or couch could make an impact on the local community if it is donated to the right thrift shop.

And that’s not just because someone in need could buy it at an affordable price.

Many local thrift stores use proceeds to support the missions of organizations in the tri-county area. Among them, one funds equipment for The Villages Regional Hospital, another supports an organization that helps victims of domestic violence and yet another helps fund the construction of affordable homes.

These thrift stores provide good bargains to shoppers, but residents who donate, volunteer and shop in the stores are making a difference in other ways.

Each store has different items and each cause is different, but leaders of the nonprofit shops all agree that building strong relationships within the community is important to success.

Pat Wesolowski volunteers with Ye Olde Thrift Shoppe in Lady Lake and is one of the founding members of the store. She said the people make the store special.

“The growth has been amazing, but so have the friendships I’ve developed with other volunteers and our customers,” Wesolowski said. “These relationships are so important to creating a place people want to shop. They have to feel welcome.”

Ye Olde Thrift Shoppe

The store opened in 2008 in Lady Lake to help fund The Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Foundation and ultimately, The Villages Regional Hospital.

It started with one small building, and anotherbuilding was purchased in 2015. The store expanded and added furniture to the long list of items it sells.

Dick Campbell, president of the foundation development team, expanded on the list of traits he thinks a store should have to be successful.

“There are numerous thrift stores in the area, so we have to be unique,” Campbell said. “The staff and volunteers look for ways to present the merchandise at its best. Nothing goes on the floor dirty. The store has to be inviting — both the way it looks and the volunteers who run it.”

It does not hurt that the store is now a stop on the Lake County bus route. That definitely brings in more people, Campbell said.

Dot Casleton, of the Village De La Vista, made her regular stop at the store Wednesday morning.

“I’m here for the books,” Casleton said. “I read about three books a week, and the books here are cheap. And the selection is great.”

She also has purchased furniture and linens in the past. Casleton credited the staff’s ability to showcase the merchandise and sell only the best for bringing her back to the store regularly.

Habitat for Humanity

The Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter ReStore in Wildwood is almost always busy. Either someone is dropping off donations or numerous customers are filling shopping baskets, said Shari Kuck, program coordinator.

“The donations and ultimately, the sales, help build homes for people in need,” she said.

Click here for the full article!

Come In & Shop!

Every Habitat ReStore is unique, and inventory at each changes daily. You can find something new every day!

Most ReStores will include a variety of new and used building materials, appliances and furniture. Many stores have inventory that expands beyond these three categories. Check out your local ReStore to see what they have in store for you today.

Stop in and visit our 4 Locations:

Eustis ReStore
352-483-0410
710 South Bay Street
Eustis, FL 32726» View Map
Groveland ReStore
352-429-9052
205 Woodfield Court
Groveland, FL 34736» View Map
Leesburg ReStore
352-728-6366
200 N. Lone Oak Drive
Leesburg, FL 34748» View Map
Wildwood ReStore
352-330-0881
6761 CR 148
Wildwood, FL 34785» View Map

 

Call the scheduling center today at 352-589-3005, Monday – Friday: 8AM – 4PM for FREE donation pick-up on select items.

Cagan Management Group Donates Appliances to Habitat for Humanity

 

4c-habitat

Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter ReStore is making room in its store for a large donation. When the Bristol Lakes Apartment complex, owned and operated by the Cagan Management Group, was ready to upgrade the appliances in several units, property manager Linda Vandiver, decided to contact the local ReStore. “It seemed like a natural fit since Habitat for Humanity renovates and builds new homes in our area,” Vandiver explains.

Click here for the full article.

Get Involved in 2017!

Fridge photo Read the rest of this entry »

Staff Spotlight: Meet Kerry!

kerry-restore-manager

Meet Kerry!


Q: What is your role at Habitat?

I am the Manager of the Groveland ReStore

Q:  What is your favorite part of your job?

Helping customers! I love to see how happy they are with their purchase, its enjoyable seeing the smile on their face! I also love working with my team – I have a great team.

Q:  What is the most challenging part of your job?

Read the rest of this entry »