Habitat ReStore has Winnipeg roots

WINNIPEG — My heart started to race as I walked into the new Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Winnipeg.

My eyes were quickly drawn to the collection of lights dangling from the display to the left, then darted over to a stack of mattresses straight ahead and then off toward the rows of paint cans lining a set of shelves. Instantly, I was scanning the room of salvaged items that would fill a void in our home.

Although I was used to the feeling of excitement from my occasional trips to the ReStore on Archibald Street , this was a brand new location to mine for treasures — but I wasn’t there to shop,  I was there on business.

This visit was to meet the person who was instrumental in creating Habitat’s very first ReStore.

Like many people who’ve snagged bargain priced tiles, windows or cabinets over the years from the fundraising shop for Habitat for Humanity, I was surprised to hear the very first ReStore in the world opened in Winnipeg.  The business plan, the funding applications, even the name (now recognizable throughout North America) came from Winnipeg.  This visit to ReStore number 83 in Canada was to meet the man who was instrumental in bringing the concept to life.