Habitat for Humanity relocates ReStore

If you're looking for gently used furniture at a decent price, you might want to visit the West Orange Habitat for Humanity ReStore's new location, 13369 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden.

The move earlier this month increased square footage from 6,700 to nearly 12,000 square feet, allowing for more furniture and bulk items to be sold. A bonus to Floridians is that the building is air-conditioned.

Before moving, ReStore operated for 19 years on Dillard Street, not too far from the new space.

The warehouse was dark and lacked air-conditioning, and sales decreased significantly in the summer, store manager Aaron Vasilko said.

“This space grows our donor base ... and it, in turn, helps us to build more houses for people,” he said.

Sales from the ReStore have helped fund the construction of more than 30 Habitat homes in West Orange County.

Habitat currently doesn't have a home under construction, but the organization finished four in May.

The ReStore carries gently used furniture, appliances, housewares and building materials. Donations come from individuals and companies that are replacing or reducing the number of items in their own homes, offices or hotels. They also come from contractors or retailers who would otherwise take cabinets, large items or leftover building supplies to a landfill.

Liquidators frequently called the shop, wanting to donate multiple big pieces of furniture, but the lack of space prohibited the store from accepting them, essentially turning down future sales.

“There have been times we've had to turn down pallets of stuff, like flooring and doors,” he said.

Since the opening two weeks ago, the customer base has increased dramatically, Vasilko said.

“The way sales are going, we should be able to build some houses this fall,” he said.

“It now looks like a furniture store,” said ReStore's Claudette Stroble. “It looks like it’s fresh and it’s bright. … It’s a bigger store, so we need to make sure we keep donations coming in from the community.”

IF YOU GO

WEST ORANGE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE

13369 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden

PHONE: (407) 905-0406

WEBSITE: westorangehabitat.org

HOURS: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays.

MAKE A DONATION

The ReStore relies on donations of gently used furniture, appliances and housewares and offers free pick up service. Donations are tax-deductible. The proceeds go to building homes for qualified families in West Orange County. Free pick-ups in West Orange County can be scheduled by calling (407) 905-0406.

Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at [email protected].