Habitat ReStore reinvests in the community

Whether you’re looking to make some donations or shop for items, the Habitat ReStore in Peru is a great place to go. Readers voted the shop One of the Best in resale shops and charitable organizations.

“It’s an honor, and it speaks to the work our staff at ReStore and the volunteers and the board of directors put in,” said Jon Scholtes, executive director of the Habitat ReStore serving LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties.

The shop’s inventory is supplied through donations made by corporations, local businesses and residents throughout LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties.

Replacing a couch or dining room set? ReStore volunteers can pick up donations of furniture, household items and more from local residents. This keeps items out of landfills, and shoppers enjoy giving furniture and items a new life in their home for a fraction of the retail cost of a new item, said Jessica Brayfield, manager of the Habitat ReStore and procurement.

There’s even a DeConstruction Team, a crew of volunteers who can remove old cabinets, appliances, doors and sinks and bring them to the store for a second life.

Additionally, the store receives inventory through generous donations from retailers and businesses throughout the three counties. These donations, which are tax deductible for businesses and individuals, allow shoppers to find items at a discounted price. The income from the shop then funds Habitat ReStore’s mission to repair and build new homes in the community.

In the spring, Habitat ReStore in Peru will help fund its 18th home since the store opened its doors in 2020, Brayfield said. Each new or repaired home is supported through funding from the store, as well as private and corporate donations and the remarkable volunteers who give their time to the project.

“It reinvigorates the community when it comes to building. You see the community, volunteers come together in a show of support,” Brayfield said.

The home building provides a re-investment in the community, provides a family with a home, and generates a new source of taxes for the community, too.

Shoppers also enjoy visiting Habitat ReStore when working on up-cycle projects. The Peru location hosts repair and refinish classes to demonstrate ways to take a piece of furniture and give it a new look and life, Brayfield said.

The shop’s space for classes and more is the Miller Community Center, and it’s open to the public to provide free rental spaces that can be used for meetings and much more. It has hosted Illinois Valley Community College classes, children’s birthday parties and even yoga and tai chi classes, Brayfield said.