To Thrift or Not to Thrift: Used construction goods
Filed under: Home, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Shopping
I'm not much of a shopper, but there's one place in Columbus that turns me into a kid in a candy store. That place is The Habitat For Humanity Build It Again Center.The Center, a K-Mart-sized building on the north side of town, is jammed with building supplies donated by homeowners, contractors, and companies in the Columbus area. Everything from countertops to cabinets, conduit to concrete, stairs, doors, windows, and more are for sale. All is new or gently used and priced so reasonably you can't say no. What you see is what you get, though, so be prepared to work your plan to the size of your discoveries, rather than vice versa.
The profits go to support Habitat's programs, but that isn't the motivation behind the Center. Manager Rob Cramer told me that the main purpose for the program was to reduce the amount of serviceable goods that end up in the landfill.
The Center certainly does that. On any given day, he estimates 100-300 people can be found scouring the aisles for the right supplies to turn their pad into a palace.
Where else can you find such a win-win opportunity? Help reduce waste, help fund Habitat, and save yourself some serious coin. I'm looking for a new garage door, so you might just find me there. And remember, if there's anything especially cool for sale -- I saw it first.
This post was written as part of a series on how to thrift shop smarter. Read more on what to buy, and not to buy, at thrift stores.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-24-2008 @ 6:37PM
sharon holdren said...
The Greater Columbus (OH) HFH Build it Again Center has allowed me to refit my 1000sf home (a total rehab) with a brand new Kitchen Aid dishwasher, a new Maytag refrig w/freezer on the bottom, oak parquet floors, solid wood doors, a new Pella french door, hundreds of traditional clay and cement paving bricks, an 8' solid wood book case ($5.00), Baldwin Brass hardware, a new GE Monogram convection oven that had been used in a model home and needed a replacement plug ($15), a fantastic used Kitchen Aid cooktop with cast-iron burners (until I get a propane one). The money I saved will help pay to replace the septic system.
For more than four years I volunteer there and I saw it grow from being open 4 hours one day a week, to its present configuration.
I have volunteered with the Mount Vernon (OH) HFH ReStore for over almost three years now. We are much smaller (and tidier), but we have beautiful Restoration brass kitchen hardware, wood and/or propane firelace inserts, Pella patio doors, ceramic tile and paint. All of which would end up in the landfill, if we did not have the capacity to resell it. Every thing we have is donated, including our building and all the staff is volunteer. We build an average of 3 houses every two years, somewhere in Knox County. We are the best unkept secret in town.
Reply
1-24-2008 @ 7:51PM
Tom Barlow said...
You deserve a hearty pat on the back for such a contribution. Let's hope the center becomes a better known and valued resource.
Reply
2-01-2008 @ 3:15PM
Josh Smith said...
Tom
Freaking awesome post! This sounds like an amazing place, I'll have to see if one is in my neck of the woods(northern Ohio).
Sharon, Awesome news! You're quite the inspiration.
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