Lake Highlands Habitat for Humanity ReStore to Open in Late February

All photos: Dallas ReStore

If you’re DIY aficionado or planning a home renovation project on a budget, then you’ve got to be jazzed about the Feb. 21 grand opening of the newest Habitat for Humanity ReStore Resale Outlet in DFW. The store will be located in Lake Highlands at the southeast corner of Skillman Street and Abrams Road in the space formerly occupied by Big Lots, which closed last year.

This location is the eleventh in the DFW area, all of which are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers selling new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at steep discounts (like 20 to 70 percent off retail prices). Each store is operated by local Habitat chapters, and proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity homebuilding efforts around the world.

The range of items at a ReStore is always surprising and it varies tremendously by location: I’ve seen everything from front doors to front-loading washing machines. And for the creatively inclined, this place is a mecca. The Dallas area ReStore knows what’s up: they’ve got their own Pinterest page with 25 boards featuring everything from Dallas ReStore sales and fab finds to inspiration for specific rooms around the house and upcycling ideas. I’ve already repinned a thrift store lamp makeover, projects using pallets, and a DIY furniture re-do from their pages. Jump to read more!

The ReStore in Lake Highlands will be much like the other ten in Dallas-Fort Worth: an awesome selection of  stuff you were looking for, and stuff you didn’t even know you needed (check out the sparkly chandeliers already hanging in their windows! Ooooo!). All items come from the donations of local retailers, manufacturers, contractors, and individuals (you can make a donation or find out about arranging a large-item pick up by calling 214-678-2309).

In addition to raising money for Habitat’s homebuilding efforts, ReStores around the United States encourage sustainability and lessen the environmental impact of homebuilding and renovations. They do this by re-channeling usable surplus building supplies and other merchandise that might otherwise end up in a landfill.

In November, Habitat for Humanity passed the one million mark for the number of families they’ve served worldwide since the organization began in 1976. That represents 5 million people.

During its 2014 fiscal year, Habitat for Humanity served 313,274 families — about 1.6 million people in more than 70 countries — through home construction, renovations, and critical home repairs or increased access to improved shelter through products and services. In the United States, that number was 10,209 families.

Have you ever visited a Habitat ReStore and used their materials for a homebuilding or DIY project? Tell us about your experiences in the comment section!