Palouse Habitat for Humanity to host ribbon cutting for ReStore

MOSCOW— Palouse Habitat for Humanity is hosting a ribbon cutting for a nearly complete renovation of the Surplus sale store, similar to building supply, on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. at 304 North Main Street in Moscow.

The multi-year renovation project was started in 2019 and is a $1.5 million project to enhance the building that houses the store and administrative office.

Palouse Habitat for Humanity Director Jennifer Wallace said they are now bigger and have rebranded with a new name, Palouse Habitat ReStore.

“Our Surplus Sale store now meets Habitat International’s criteria to use the ReStore name. The store’s purpose is the same – raising funds to help Palouse HFH build affordable homes around the Palouse,” Wallace said, adding that they have more than doubled the retail square footage, made room for more items on the floor, and made some more accessible features, including an ADA compliant bathroom.

Other updates include fire doors, a firewall, lighted emergency exits, a repaired roof, on-demand water heaters, and LED lights throughout the building.

“It’s going to be a little bit nicer place to shop,” Wallace said, adding that they have painted flooring, and now it is all one big building.

Wallace said they now have an awning so when donors pull up to drop things off, they will be protected from the weather.

“We’ll have two check-out spaces as well,” Wallace said, noting that it will make things quicker and easier for shoppers.

“The ReStore is our number one fundraiser,” Wallace said, noting that they depend on donations of leftover business supplies.

The store has items for home repair, improvement, as well as furniture including tables, chairs and lighting.

“We appreciate the community turning out and sending in their donations so that we can afford to build more homes on the Palouse,” Wallace said, adding they can always use more volunteers Thursday Friday and Saturday.

“While we still need to raise $170,000 to cover the last of the bills, we want to thank the donors who have helped us get this far,” Wallace said. Donors include The Murdock Charitable Trust; Lynne McCreight; Edmund and Beatriz Schweitzer; The Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Foundation; The Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation; Jim and Dawn Fazio; Carol Lee Daniel; Kirt the Painter, LLC; Debbie Spurgeon, United Country/Team Idaho; Superior Floors, Avista; The Latah County Community Foundation; and numerous other private donors.

Wallace said their Palouse project is two-thirds done, and they expect to finish it in March. “Right now, the sheetrock is going up,” she said.

Wallace said they are currently taking applications for their next home for a person or family in need in Moscow. Deadline is Monday, Feb. 5. Visit palousehabitat.org or call (208) 883-8502.