What goes around, often comes around

Habitat for Humanity opens new ReStore in Calumet

By KURT HAUGLIE, DMG Writer

CALUMET - The Copper Country Habitat For Humanity ReStore opened for business Tuesday, but there are still a few bugs to work out and not all items are priced yet, according to Joseph Mihal.

Mihal, who is the ReStore manager, said the facility opened Nov. 11, and so far six to 12 people per day have come through with only word of mouth and an "open for business" sign in front of the store.

The ReStore, which is in the former Apostolic Lutheran Church on Pine Street in Calumet, will offer furniture, household items, plumbing supplies and kitchen appliances, Mihal said.

"We don't take clothes or toys," he said.

The ReStore building has 13,000 square feet of floor space, Mihal said. The 5,000 square-foot sanctuary will be the main retail space, and the basement will be used for sorting and cleaning donated items, as well as sales.

Mihal said all of the items in the store are donated. Some of them are used and some are new. MIchigan Technological University donated some computer desks and Laurium Housing Commission donated 20 kitchen ranges.

The new items in the ReStore are marked at 30 to 70 percent less than retail, Mihal said.

"Bargain hunters get a rush coming in here," he said. "We will have new and gently-used items."

All revenue from the ReStore is used to help with Habitat's building projects, Mihal said.

Besides offering people low-cost items and bringing revenue to Habitat, Mihal said ReStore's serve an environmental purpose by keeping out of the landfills items which may otherwise have been thrown away.

"For every $1 in sales, 1.3 pounds of material is kept from the landfill," he said. "There's a Chinese proverb which defines "waste" as a resource in the wrong place."

The items for sale in the ReStore have been in storage in several locations until the new facility was ready, Mihal said. However, they still need donations of household items, furniture, and building materials.

"We're mainly into building supplies," he said. "We live on donations."

Mihal said the ReStore has as its theme the four Ds - "Don't dump it. Donate and deduct it." Donated items are tax deductible for both businesses and individuals.

Despite have a stock of items ready for sale, Mihal said more donations of slightly used or new building supplies, furniture and household items are still needed. For more information about donating, call, 337-0020. The ReStore hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Mihal said if someone doesn't find what is wanted on the first visit, that person should keep coming back because what he or she wants will probably show up eventually.

"The stock is constantly changing," he said. "Some people check weekly."

Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@mininggazette.com.