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Community Corner

Habitat ReStore Relocates to Clearwater

Habitat Restore moved from it's St. Pete location to a larger 20,000 square-feet facility in Clearwater.

Home improvement just became easier and cheaper for locals of Largo and Clearwater thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County.

On Saturday, the organization held a grand opening for Habitat ReStore, a nonprofit retail outlet that sells donated and used construction items, home improvement products and furniture for discounted prices. ReStore sells its donated items at about 50 to 75 percent lower prices than retail stores, with about 85 percent of its items falling under the recycle category.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event included a raffle, freebies for customers, food, live entertainment from two musicians of a local band called Dazzlers, which plays regularly at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, and a multitude items to purchase, including books, bathtubs, television sets, fitness equipment, lumber, flooring, household goods, furniture and others.

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“It’s more of a kickoff for people to get to know us and get a feel for what we do,” said manager Doug DuPont.

The store relocated from its former location in St. Petersburg on 118th Street to its new space at 13355 49th St. N. in Clearwater that is larger at 20,000 square feet, has easier access for customers and air conditioning, a feature its former location didn’t have.

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DuPont says the move was made to increase exposure for the store and because the price of doing so was ideal based on the state of the commercial real estate market.

“Our timing was good to make the move now,” said DuPont, adding that the store didn’t want to have to pay more for operating costs than it did in St. Pete. “It made sense for us at this time to make the upgrade.”

All proceeds from the store’s sales are given to Pinellas County’s Habitat for Humanity, a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit based in Americus, Georgia. The local affiliate, like all affiliates around the world, raises funds to create affordable housing opportunities for people in Pinellas County.

Nancy Kramer, a local singer and videographer, 55, has been shopping at ReStore since its former St. Peterburg location opened in 2004. She said she’s happy the store moved to 49th Street because it’s closer to where she lives on Bryan Dairy Road in Largo. 

“They have everything I always seem to need right when I need it,” Kramer said, adding that in the past she’s bought all kinds of items at ReStore, from cabinets to ceiling fans and even a French door.

Barbara Pappe, a soon-to-be mortgage banker, 40, attended ReStore’s grand opening with her husband and found a day bed for $100.  They said they frequently buy items from ReStore. In the past they bought a washing machine for a $30-price tag and hard-to-find items like three-dimensional glass tile.

“I come here before I go anywhere else to buy anything,” said Pappe. “It’s a hit or miss, but we always get something.”

Ben Chertok, a teacher at St. Petersburg High School, 44, bought oak cedar for a mid-century modern house he’s planning to fix up, wood stain, exterior paint and large, blue-colored alphabet letters that he plans to use in decorating his home’s game room.

“ReStore is a way of life,” said Chertok, adding that he’s been shopping with Habitat for Humanity for about 20 years. “I feel like it’s a community treasure, this place.”

Vist the Habitat for Humanity Restore

What: a nonprofit retail outlet that sells donated and used construction items, home improvement products and furniture for discounted prices. 

Where: 13355 49th St. N., Clearwater, FL, 33762

Hours: Monday - Wednesday:  9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursday - Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday:  9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday: Closed 

Contact: 727-209-2199 or www.habitatpinellas.org

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