Thousands of Discounted Items Await DIYers & Builders at the Habitat ReStore
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - The new Habitat ReStore has opened with everything from furnishings to tools and yes, even kitchen sinks.
During the last few months, the location on the corner of Gutierrez Street and State Street has been taking in donations.
The team has been sorting, tagging, and displaying it all in an orderly way.
When the ribbon snapped at a morning ceremony, city and downtown leaders said it will be a way to generate more foot traffic in the 400 block of State Street and help to recharge the area.
Robin Elander is the Executive Director of the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association. She was checking out the deals and sharing how the store is a good fit. "The retail mix with restaurants a lot of new developments is going to go a long way to the revitalization of downtown district."
Elander says it will be a draw for local residents and those from out of the area.
Deals were being brought up to the counter within minutes including doors, desks, light fixtures, chairs, art pieces, appliances and hand tools as low as $1.00.
Chief Executive Officer Jessica de L'Arbre says it will be a place for donations, a place for affordable purchases and a financial stream for the Habitat for Humanity home projects throughout the area.
For those dropping off items, "it could be you are doing a kitchen remodel or you have an old tool," she said. For buyers, "there's some high quality stuff."
The plan took time to sort out but the desire was very high.
"I don't have the words to describe the level of enthusiasm for this store, from the donors who can't wait to donate or who have been following up asking when they can shop," said de L'Arbre.
Many customers picked up items at a fraction of the cost of a major retail or hardware store. By the afternoon numerous items were sold and plans were underway to restock from the many other donations that have come in.
At the counter Liam Murphy with the Hayes Commercial Group had a sturdy work shop light. "It was $15.00. I would guess it would be $70-75 dollars somewhere else." He had a good feel for the shopping space in the large building. "I did enjoy walking into the back half where they had more tools and building supplies that smelled like a do it with your hands garage style, which is fun."
Another shopper said she had a plastic drawer organizer she would share with her dad for his small items. Casandra McCambridge has many beads she works with. "My craft room is very disorganized at the moment and I saw this and thought, this is the time to get organized."
The ReStore was previously located in Goleta but closed there in 2020.
The store at 400 State Street is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
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