July 10, 2006
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle? ReStore!
Finally. I'm moving out of south county and into our fair city of St. Louis. One of my goals for the new digs is to use as much recycled material as possible. Some fellow urban dwellers directed me to a great rehabbing resource called the ReStore.
Here's the lowdown, courtesy of the Habitat for Humanity St Louis site.
The ReStore Mission
Our mission is to provide financial support for the St. Louis affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. We enable people to purchase building materials at substantial savings, and serve as an outlet for reusable but otherwise discarded items.
The ReStore Vision
Our vision encompasses a large view of building materials and their role in alleviating poverty housing. The United States has been blessed with a plethora of resources. The volume of home improvement material that is thrown away in this country is staggering. We hope to be the "destination shop" for anyone needing building materials, but especially for those who are attempting to rehabilitate deteriorating housing stock.
Last week's initial shopping trip yielded a full set of solid wood kitchen cabinets in excellent condition, a European style stainless steel double sink, four gallons of acrylic paint and some small harware items.
Grand total? One hundred and seventy five bucks.
I felt guilty paying so little - like I was swindling dedicated volunteers and their worthy cause. I suspect though, as the renovation continues, I'll get over it pretty quickly.
The ReStore
Habitat for Humanity St. Louis
3763 Forest Park Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63108
(314) 531-4155
www.habitatstl.org/restore/
Open Tuesday-Saturday 9-4