The grand opening of Cheraw’s newest downtown business, The Habitat Restore, took in more than $7,000 last Saturday, according to Gary Blount, store manager. Store employees said they were busy all week, as the store actually opened for business last Tuesday, Jan 24.
The Habitat Restore sits behind Goody’s, but faces Front Street. It’s in the same building that once housed the Cheraw Hardware and more recently, Jones Furniture Company. The entire building is stocked with everything from pianos, furniture and appliances, to dishes, duct tape and chandeliers.
The store’s inventory is supplied through donations from the public and area businesses. “The very first donation was a piano,” said Blount, delivered to the store by former Cheraw mayor Scott Hunter and Mike Reese, executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Chesterfield County. The piano was manufactured by Droop, of Washington, D.C., and is a cabinet grand. It is priced to sell at just $55.
Not all items are used. In fact, “a lot of materials are brand new because they’re donated by larger companies,” said Reece.
Sales from the Restore will serve to benefit Chesterfield County residents. The non-profit organization has already built three homes in the Pageland area of Chesterfield County and plans to build another in Cheraw this spring.
The goal for the Restore’s initial year in Cheraw is to generate $100,000 towards the construction of homes for eligible Chesterfield County families. According to Reece, as many as 15 homes may be built within the county during the next couple of years.
The Habitat Restore is open for business each week, Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Spring Cleaning time is right around the corner and if you have any furniture or such items that can be sold to other community members, this has to be the place for you to handle your community donations. Think about the Garage Sales you were planning and donating furniture, building products, etc., will benefit all.