After Matthew’s post about our treasure-packed visit to the ReStore in Springfield, Mass., an employee from ReStore posted on the Facebook fan page with a list of ReStore/Habitat for Humanity locations nationwide. Check it out to find a location near you. It’s interesting to ponder why some ReStores are so much “better” than others – for mid century treasure hunters. My Springfield ReStore is well packed. I think the alchemy must come from: (1) Was the area around the ReStore hoppin’ in the 50s and 60s with lots of new construction… mixed with (2) there is either a dynamic amount of remodeling … or demo … going on today… and (3) there is a lot of good PR going on at that ReStore. Central Massachusetts for sure grew massively in the immediate postwar era. There had been wartime activities in the area, so there was a lot of money saved during the war, and spent after.Massachusetts entrepreneurs also have a history of being very innovative and productive, and the factories were humming. All that translates to: Lots of stuff in folks’ houses… coming back to the surface today.
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16 comments
Shane says
I’ve only got one near me. It’s stuffed full to the brim right now being that summer renovations are under way but it’s mostly 1980’s lighting, cabinets, etc.
pam kueber says
The image I show of the directory is not “hot” (these are just screen shots) — but the linked text in the post itself is.
Maggie says
My husband and I are frequent visitors to the Tulsa store. Very hit or miss, but there was a huge boom of building in the 50’s, and since then, lots of renovating, so we do find some interesting things, as well as being able to locate weird stuff, like the matching porcelain art-deco towel holder to the one his granddaughter broke. Took us three visits before one turned up.
I think they are like any other discount/ junk store- you have to keep going back, and once in a while, you find a jewel. It’s always fun, though.
jkaye says
Lexington KY ReStore is doing so well they just moved into a bigger location, that is only a couple of miles from our house! The same friendly, helpful staff is at the new store. This store seems to have something from just about every era. My best finds this summer have been some really nice 50s era doorknobs for all of our interior doors, as well as one door to replace our most beat-up bedroom door. One day they had a rack of rather thirsty looking perennials for free. I took a few home, and they are now flourishing in our garden.
Billy says
Went to the Phoenix location yesterday. Most of their items looked to be from the 80’s/90’s but I will check back every so often.
Flowbee says
The store in Conyers, GA is a very small strip mall storefront with a limited selection of miscellaneous, unremarkable household items and furniture. They’re only open Friday and Saturday.
Amber says
I live in an extremely non-descript military town in eastern North Carolina. Even though the area was a ‘boom town’ in the 1950s due to the military bases, the constant shifts in ownership of the houses have meant frequent renovations every 5-10 years due to the transient nature of the residents of a military town. So, sadly my Habitat for Humanity restore mostly boasts 1980s and 1990s rejects.
Amazingly enough though, I was able to obtain a house full of perfect Drexel Counterpoint by John Van Koert items from an elderly dear who was moving into a retirement home (her husband had been in WW2, Korea, *and* Vietnam!).
Therefore I think the only real chances of Mid Century Modern finds in my area seem to be private listings, and even that’s a tough job!
I can’t wait til my guy gets out of the service and we can move away and into a mid century modern dream 🙂
I’d definitely like to check out some ReStores on vacations in other areas though- so thanks for the list!
pam kueber says
Yes, Amber, I think I need to add to the list: Non-transient population. You poor dear. I would be despondent in a region with no antiques!
Marissa says
Amber, I’m guessing you’re either at Bragg or Lejeune, so I can imagine your pain….you should come visit the one here in Winston-Salem if you feel like a drive — and there are others in western NC that usually yield some surprises for me!
Marisa says
When I click on Texas it doesn’t show any locations there. Is there any other way to find out? Thanks for posting this!
pam kueber says
Marisa, all’s I can recommend is that you contact Habitat for Humanity and see what they can tell you… Good luck.
Elizabeth Mary says
Marisa,
Click on the link in Pam’s text and then on the one for Texas. When you do that you will find many ReStores listed for Texas. On my computer, the list embedded in the message from Pam does not work — doesn’t link to anything in any state. But, when you go to the ReStore site and then click on the states it does. Not sure why, but it does.
Hayley says
We’ll be near Springfield at the end of August. We can’t wait to visit the restore!!!! If that door featured in Matthew”s post is still there….it’s ours! Here’s hoping!!
Barbara says
Unfortunately, building has pretty much ceased in our area, and our local Habitat store is basically empty. I wish it had what all of yours does!