Restore and 33 Realty Team Up to Help the Community

Rehabbing, flipping, renovating, remodeling are but just a few of the terms for this ever growing and profitable trend, popularized by reality television shows such as Bravo’s “Flipping out” or HG’s “Rehab Addict” Besides the potential economic pitfall this trend Restore Chicagocan create, it also presents the issue of how to responsibly dispose of all the useable materials that are removed during the rehab process.

33’s property manager Kelly Kleen, was faced with a similar problem during the condo conversion of the Guild, a 176 unit building located in the South Loop. That’s when she contacted ReStore Chicago, a home improvement discount store and donation center, operated by the Habitat for Humanity Organization.

“We had over 20 washer/dryers units, 3 ranges and 3 refrigerators that were in perfectly good working condition. “We wanted to make sure they went to a good cause, not a landfill,” explains, Kelly. Kelly worked with ReStore Chicago’s Procurement Manager, 33 Appliance DonationMicheal Reeb and Procurement Coordinator, Christopher Kennedy to arrange for the appliances to be picked up and distributed to ReStore’s 29,000 square foot location on Peterson and Pulaski in Northwest Chicago.

ReStore Chicago has a three-pronged mission, reports ReStore Director, Deanna Davies, “To provide a funding source for Habitat for Humanity Chicago, provide affordable materials to the general public and to those who may not be able to afford to fix up their home and to divert usable materials from already overflowing landfills.”

ReStore, is a bargain shopper’s paradise, as their inventory is constantly changing and all of it is on sale for deeply discounted prices. Typically items are sold at ReStore for 50% to 60% off their retail prices. Shoppers can expect to find furniture, appliances, homegoods, all the way up to cabinetry, plumbing and building materials.

Along with the satisfaction of finding a bargain, shoppers and donors benefit from that ‘free of charge’, ‘feel good’ feeling of knowing all the proceeds from the store go directly to the home building and repair projects that Habitat for Humanity performs for hard working lower-income families. ReStore is also on a mission to help our environment. During its first year of operation, ReStore Chicago, prevented more than 964,600 lbs of usable materials from filling our local landfills. The store also provides volunteer opportunities for those looking for a way to give back to their community as well.

“The whole process was a breeze,” reports Kelly. So easy, that 33 and the Guild are planning on continuing the donations to ReStore during future renovation projects.

To find out more information about ReStore Chicago, visit ReStorechicago.org for more information about the donation process, to view a list of acceptable items or to inquire about a pick up for your donation.