Who’d have thought that you might find a player piano that played automatically or a great collection of books behind the doors of the Habitat ReStore in Lanier Plaza? ReStore manager Quinnon Roberts and Habitat for Humanity of Glynn Executive Director/CEO Becca Randall assure us that it’s true. Quinnon adds that the store’s antique furniture collection has included one-of-a-kind items like a half-moon crescent table with designs carved in it and an antique hooker desk from the original makers in New York.
Annaliese Kondo
Habitat for Humanity of Glynn staff: ReStore Manager Quinnon Roberts, Executive Director/CEO Becca Randall, Family Services Coordinator and Administrative Manager Tashawnta Wells-Abel, and Community Development Coordinator Riley Wilkes.
Roberts, Randall, and Community Development Coordinator Riley Wilkes were eager to give us the grand tour of the newly remodeled ReStore that received a “ReStore Redo Award” at the 2023 Georgia Habitat Affiliate Conference in June. Being selected for the award out of all affiliates in Georgia following the nearly four-month long renovation process from September 2022-January 2023 was meaningful. Becca remarked, “Several awards are given at each conference, and our hard work and dedication in making improvements to our ReStore was acknowledged and congratulated, and we appreciate this honor very much. We are continuing to make changes to create a better shopping experience for our customers. Thank you to our community for your support!”
Habitat for Humanity of Glynn County, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is a local, community-level, private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in 1989. Since that time, they have built 88 safe, decent, affordable homes in Glynn County as they work toward the vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. The Habitat ReStore is Habitat for Humanity of Glynn County’s largest year-round and on-going fundraiser. The ReStore was first opened in 2008 in Glynn Plaza off Altama Ave and then moved to Lanier Plaza in 2014.
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Becca explains, “It was a generous space that began filling up quickly with donated items. The space could not handle the surge of donated items coming in, and we had to get creative, not only in making more space, but also making better use of the space. Before the renovation, there were hundreds of square feet not being used. It has been home to many retailers, including Sears at one time, and later a gym. There were eight showers that had to be disconnected and removed from what once served as the gym’s locker rooms. Walls came down, new lighting went up, and we took the floors down to the concrete. We acquired a new receiving area with a loading dock and relocated the administrative offices to an adjacent unit.”
The ReStore allows Habitat for Humanity to continue its mission as proceeds raised from this unique resale store contribute to the upfront construction costs of the homes being built right here in Glynn County. Becca stresses the ReStore’s key role, saying, “The ReStore serves a very important purpose as Habitat’s year-round fundraiser. It also covers all overhead expenses, meaning that 100% of financial contributions to Habitat for Humanity go directly to our mission: ‘Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.’” With generous donations of gently used household items, furniture, building materials, appliances, and décor, they are able to provide a unique shopping experience for customers while serving the local community. Quinnon and his team are proud of the work they do. He says, “The most rewarding part of working in the ReStore is getting to see the hard work of my team from the people who do the pickups, to the pricers in the receiving area, setting it up on the floor and then seeing the items go to someone to make their home more comfortable.”
The dedicated crew of the Habitat ReStore.
Not only do shoppers receive furniture or reduced price building materials that help them complete and beautify their own home, they provide a vital service to the community by providing funds that allowing Habitat for Humanity to continue its mission in Glynn County. Becca Randall explains, “As both the lender and the builder, Habitat for Humanity is a unique program that offers the opportunity of affordable homeownership. Yes, that’s right, homeownership. We work with approved applicants (“partner families”) to secure a zero-interest mortgage based on affordability. We work together to build their homes, and we are held to high standards and guidelines, adhering to all building codes, inspections, and regulations.” She emphasizes, “Affordable housing is needed now more than ever, and Habitat serves our Glynn County community with an asset to call their own. Habitat provides a true foundation of stability, strength, and self-reliance to those who participate in our homeownership program.”
Eliot VanOtteren Photo Courtesy of Sea Island
Habitat for Humanity of Glynn County is currently in the construction stage of five homes at Century Place (Houses #89-93). Located at 2610 Johnston Street in Brunswick, Century Place is the first Habitat neighborhood in Glynn County, consisting of 15 homes. The 12th home will be the affiliates 100th, thus the name Century Place. The construction of these 15 houses will be conducted in three phases of five houses at a time. The first phase scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. The full neighborhood is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The First Home Dedication (Home #89) is planned to take place within the next couple months.
Riley says of the construction project, “I have only been working with Habitat since the start of the year but so far, my favorite moment was watching one of our future homeowners face light up with excitement as she saw her home after it just been sheet rocked. She gave me and the volunteers that day a tour of where her five kids would soon be making their rooms. Helping the partner families do something they never would have imagined possible (homeownership) is what I find the most rewarding.”
In addition to visiting and shopping at the ReStore, you can get involved too by donating items of your own. A list of items they can accept can be found on their website at hfhglynn.org. Drop off can be make at the receiving area on the side of the building. They offer pickup service for larger items.
Annaliese Kondo
Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors Members Nancy Gandersman (and ReStore Volunteer!) and Merry Tipton.
Of course, volunteers are key as well. Becca says, “We have an incredible staff of hardworking, good-hearted individuals who value the mission of Habitat for Humanity. We work incredibly hard to ensure mission is our priority and strive to continue providing the much-needed opportunity of affordable homeownership. Whether volunteering at the ReStore or on the construction site alongside future Habitat homeowners, we hope you feel the importance of your service. Every volunteer makes a significant contribution giving of their time and energy and we are so grateful for each and every one!”
If you’d like to donate your time to this worthy cause, the ReStore is always seeking volunteers to assist in a variety of helpful tasks including sorting donations, merchandising, researching vintage and antique items, and testing electronics and appliances, to name a few. ReStore volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Additionally, volunteers ages 16 and 17 must have a parent or guardian signature of approval. Volunteers are also needed on the Century Place construction site most Wednesday and Saturday mornings 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. More information is available on the website.
Last but not least, Riley adds, “Generous contributions to our organization, grants, and fundraisers provide the funding needed to construct brand new, safe and affordable homes, making homeownership possible for families and individuals who would otherwise not have the opportunity to become homeowners. We believe affordable shelter is the cornerstone of success.” More success stories mean a more successful community as a whole—and we can build it together!
