Something old to you could be something new for someone else. That thought is the purpose behind the Habitat for Humanity ReStore's, but in Milton they are taking it one step further. After being closed for roughly the past year, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Elva St., will reopen on Oct. 6 as Milton's Vintage Homestore. This isn't your typical antiques, but items individuals would purchase to give a special touch or twist to a room or spot in their home looking for a little pizzazz. "When we use the word vintage we are not talking about antiques," said Connie Bryars, ReStore Director for Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. "We are talking about items that might be from the 1970's and older." But to make a place like Milton's Vintage Homestore a success, they not only need customers, but donations as well. "What we look for in a donation is something in good working condition that is sellable,' Bryar said. "No missing parts. Just something that a person will say to himself or herself I want that, take it and place it with no major cleanup. "We try to offer something that is affordable to those moving into a home that they can use to get started." The cycle of getting the right donations and moving them quickly is what makes a ReStore concept work. To help celebrate the reopening of the Habitat for Humanity Store in Milton will be Steve Thomas, former host of This Old House and Renovation Nation. “I am pleased and excited to join Habitat for Humanity in helping to raise awareness for its mission,” Thomas said. “There is such a great need for affordable housing around the world, and I hope our efforts will motivate more people to support this cause.” Thomas, who has worked with Habitat for Humanity since 1991, is a big advocate for greener building and home renovation techniques. Habitat for Humanity is very unique in what it does with donation as they will come out and pick up the donated items. "We are very happy to help out and pick up items," said John Reble, who is a board member for Habitat for Humanity. "If there is a contractor who has some building materials left and they don't want to deal with disposing of or taking back, we are happy to help them. "These are items we can use as well in helping those through our efforts." This is also another green way Habitat helps through keeping usable items like this from filling up landfills. A list of desirable items for donation is available at www.pensacolahabitat.org/restore or call 981-0009 to schedule a pick-up. Profits from ReStore sales are used to accomplish Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s mission of providing homeownership opportunities to low income families in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The store also provides an environmental service by diverting usable materials from our landfills. Find out more about the Habitat for Humanity program at www.pensacolahabitat.org.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Habitat goes vintage