More than 200 people took advantage of the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity’s 20th anniversary sale held at its ReStore facility in Hanapepe, Saturday. The ReStore thrift shop, at the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity facility, offered 20 percent discount on all
More than 200 people took advantage of the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity’s 20th anniversary sale held at its ReStore facility in Hanapepe, Saturday.
The ReStore thrift shop, at the Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity facility, offered 20 percent discount on all items in the facility to mark the anniversary.
Peppered with the flow of free Big Braddah coffee from Kaua‘i Coffee Co., free shave ice from Seasport Divers and the sweet Hawaiian music offered by Lady Ipo and Haunani Kaui, the shop brought in more than $3,500 in gross sales for the day, states a Habitat release.
“This is one of our highest sales day, yet,” said Cynthis Dazzi, ReStore manager, in the release. “We more than doubled our average Saturday sales. What is really wonderful is that proceeds from ReStore directly support Habitat’s mission of creating affordable housing on Kaua‘i.”
Dazzi said ReStore exists to support Habitat’s vision of decent shelter for all people.
“We are so happy to have been able to provide a fun shopping experience and event greater deals while we celebrated 20 Years of service to our community,” she said.
During the celebrtation, several shoppers were recipients of a 4-cup coffee maker and a bag of Kaua‘i Coffee provided by Kaua‘i Coffee, and one shopper, known only as “Stan,” was the winner of a bumper pool table presented by the ReStore.
“We thank everyone for their support over the last 20 years,” said Stephen Spears, executive director for Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity. “Our affiliate has definitely been working hard to provide opportunities for the community. Our goal at ReStore is to provide a quality shopping experience while raising additional funds for affordable housing.”
Long before the Saturday anniversary celebration at ReStore, its staff has been working with improvements to the facility, including overall improvements, reorganizing inventory, establishing clear departments such as household goods, sporting goods, flooring, hardware, and more. ReStore has also been offering fair and set pricing which eliminates challenges associated with garage sale-type bartering.
“ReStore operations is based on traditional retail models, but our nonprofit mission enables us to do so much more with the proceeds we raise,” Spears said. “While we see many of the same expenses as most retailers, Habitt ReStores are able to keep expenses to a minimum due to generous contributions of goods and volunteer labor.”
Spears said leveraging resources is critical in the nonprofit community, and at ReStore, Habitat has a minimal paid staff who works in conjunction with visiting and resident volunteers.
“We support the state’s First-to-Work program which provides participants with solid work experience at nonprofits in order to assist them to become self-sufficient,” Spears said. “As with our construction programs, we have also relied on the support of volunteer labor from religious groups, women’s groups, and school groups. All these combine to help provide Kaua‘i families with truly affordable housing opportunities.”
Visit www.kauaihabitat.org, or call 335-0296 for more information on the ReStore, or the two primary home building programs offered by Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity: its New Home Construction Program and its Repair and Renovation Program.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
