What is Thrift Shopping?

If you are not yet familiar or have not yet tried thrift shopping, also called thrifting, you may wonder what it is all about. Thrifting is, simply put, shopping at a flea market, garage sale, storefront, and more to find gently used items at a discounted price. Though these items have been previously worn, used, and loved, they are in decent enough shape to be reused by a new owner. Some people thrift to find one-of-a-kind items, some believe in the environmental benefits of purchasing previously owned items, and others are savvy shoppers who wish to find a bargain. Thrift shopping is for anyone and everyone, whatever your reasons may be, and the Habitat ReStore experience allows you to shop while helping your community. 

What Makes Thrifting Appealing?

Instead of having a shopping list you stick to at a regular retail store, thrifting is a bit more like a treasure hunt. Thrifting is a shopping experience filled with all different kinds of products, including off-season items, vintage goods, appliances, books, equipment, and more, all at a lower cost. Thrifting gets you thinking outside of the box as well. It is a neat experience to see what you may be drawn to while thrifting, get creative, and see how you may envision giving a gently used item a new life. There is an exciting element of surprise as well because you never know what you might find. 

What Can I Find at a Thrift Store?

Close Up of a Hand, Looking on a Flea Market for Clothes.

Many thrift stores are primarily focused on selling clothing, but other thrift stores sell just about anything and everything. You can find anything from clothes to appliances, bedding to books, cooking utensils to furniture, games to kitchenware, instruments to outdoors equipment, tools to toys, and so much more. Some thrift stores only sell clothing, but others, like Goodwill, sell just about anything. The most popular items you’ll find are clothing, shoes, handbags, furniture, household goods and linens, jewelry, art, kitchen supplies, and so much more.

Why is Thrifting and Second-Hand Shopping Important?

Thrift shopping is a great and fun way to find unique things, but it is also a great way to do some good. At Habitat ReStore, the experience is designed to give back to the community. By donating to and shopping at Habitat ReStore, you are helping to restore strength, stability, and shelter for those in need. Habitat ReStore shopping is known for everything from its one-of-a-kind goods to everyday goods, so why not find something new or something you need while helping someone else along the way? 

Habitat ReStore

Are you someone who loves thrifting? Do you love shopping, and better yet, shopping for a good cause? Are you hoping to find something new and unique for your home? The Habitat ReStore experience is unlike any other, and shopping at ReStore is like going on an adventure. Habitat Restore carries a broad selection of new and gently used items, including furniture, home improvement materials, and more with an ever-changing selection. We recommend coming back and checking in often, so you do not miss out – you never know what you will find shopping at Habitat ReStore. 

Reasons to Shop with ReStore

ReStore is a socially and environmentally responsible option to keep materials out of our landfills, especially if they can be reused, restored, or upcycled. Most of the items in ReStore are donated by people and companies in the community, with a selection of items that varies based on what is donated at any given time. Because of this, inventory will vary every time you shop with us. Many people shop ReStore to purchase an item as is, but many customers upcycle and transform their purchase into something new. Habitat ReStore is not an ordinary thrift store, either. Habitat Restore shopping proceeds are put to great use in your community and around the world, helping to build stability, strength, and self-reliance for the people and communities that need it most. When you shop with ReStore, you help Habitat build!

How Does ReStore Work?

The Habitat ReStore shopping network accepts lightly used donations in good, working condition. Our trained and knowledgeable staff will pick up your donation as they know what ReStore can take at any given time, and they will have the final say when it comes to an item’s suitability for pick up and donation. However, many of our locations are accepting drop-offs at this time, so if there are any questions about eligibility before donating, feel free to give us a call or check our website out for a complete list of eligible items. Currently, pickups are being scheduled up to a week in advance, and pickups are scheduled based on zip code. On the first and the third of the month, hurricane shelter panel donations will be picked up. 

Here are some things we accept at ReStore: 

  • Working appliances (dishwashers must be manufactured after 2012)
  • New area rugs 
  • Cabinets in good condition with doors and drawers intact (no Formica)
  • Doors that are 80 inches or less
  • Electrical :

Outlets switch plates, breaker boxes, switches, etc.

  • Hurricane shutters (none with rust)
  • Furniture:

Good condition, no Formica or pressboard, no odor, pet hair, rips, stains, or tears

  • Ceiling Lights or Fans with mounting brackets included and blades off
  • Lumber or Building Materials with any screws or nails removed
  • Mattresses (Good condition with no odor, tears, or stains)
  • Box Springs (no stains, tears, odors)
  • Office Furniture:

Chairs, Desks no greater than four feet in length

  • Patio Furniture with no rust and in good condition
  • Plumbing:

New faucets, sinks, and toilets

Close-up Plumber Hands Holds a New Faucet for Installing Into the Kitchen Sink, Plumbing Work or Renovation

  • Roof Tiles that can complete an entire roof
  • Shower Doors with a frame, otherwise boxed 
  • Tile or Flooring that is boxed and 35 square foot minimum
  • Gently used, rust-free tools
  • Standard size tubs
  • New Jacuzzi Tubs 
  • Flat-screen TV’s from within last four years 
  • Windows

These are some items we are not accepting:

  • Pool or foosball tables and other arcade items
  • Car seats, cribs, strollers, and other baby items 
  • Books
  • Carpets
  • China Cabinets
  • Clothing
  • Custom-made Furniture
  • Dishwashers
  • Electronics such as computers, DVDs, VCRs, or stereos 
  • Exercise Equipment
  • Sports Equipment
  • Window Treatments made of fabric 
  • Fluorescent Light Bulbs
  • Formica Furniture
  • Gas Operated Appliances
  • Knobs, hinges, and other completed hardware
  • Hospital Beds
  • Electrical Beds
  • Water Beds
  • Jacuzzi (unless new)
  • Kitchenware such as pots, pans, and silverware
  • Medical Supplies
  • Copiers, fax, printers, and other office items
  • Office Furniture such as conference tables and partitions
  • Paint
  • Tubs
  • Wallpaper

Make a Difference Today

If our mission is something you are interested in joining, visit our website today to learn more about Habitat ReStore, habitat restore shopping, and what the habitat restore experience is doing in your community. Whether you want to volunteer with us, donate to ReStore, or simply check out one of our locations on your next shopping outing, we cannot wait to meet you and have you join us on this impactful journey.