The nonprofit is purchasing an existing showroom in Gypsum that will increase visibility and revenues
To reach more customers, increase donations and build more homes, Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley is purchasing a larger, more visible location for its ReStore. Proceeds from the Habitat ReStore go towards building the story of home. And soon, this story will grow.
Habitat Vail Valley is part of the housing solution through building permanently affordable homes in Eagle County. The purchase of this updated, spacious showroom is a long-term strategic investment that will allow Habitat to grow sales, increase the net contribution for home building and create sustainability. The store is located on the Highway 6 corridor in the Airport Gateway Business Center near Costco in Gypsum.
“This new location will provide greater visibility for shoppers and donors. We anticipate an increase in donations — both quantity and quality,” said John Welaj, executive director, who has been instrumental in negotiating the purchase. “In turn, the increase in sales will allow Habitat to build more homes for hardworking local families”
The store, currently the Mountain Living showroom, is bright, airy and promises an elevated shopping experience. At 16,400 square feet, it is double the space of the current ReStore, allowing for an increase in inventory. The expected opening date for Habitat ReStore Vail Valley is Spring 2022.
Part of the bigger plan
Three years ago as part of the strategic planning process, the Habitat Vail Valley team met with local leaders, community members and business partners. An expanded ReStore, with increased sales, was outlined as an important goal to help increase the number of houses Habitat builds annually. ReStore sales are reinvested into our homebuilding efforts—further leveraging each dollar to build more homes. It is anticipated that with the larger space and increased inventory, Habitat Vail Valley will be able to build two additional homes annually.
“We worked with Habitat International consultants who helped us develop a business model for the ReStore,” explains Elyse Howard, development director. “Shoppers come from all over the Western Slope, but with this more visible location, our reach will be expanded. We believe with this new location, the ReStore will benefit from travelers going to the airport, Costco and surrounding businesses.”
The ReStore sells quality, gently used furniture, appliances and building materials at a price a fraction of retail. The vast majority of the ReStore inventory comes from donations.
Get involved
Habitat is looking for committee members who are interested in helping with merchandising, logistics, procurement and donations. To support Habitat Vail Valley’s initiative to increase the number of homes built annually and expand family programs please visit www.HabitatVailValley.org.
Since HFHVV’s founding in 1995, the organization has provided housing stability for families in Eagle County, stewarding them through the process of becoming homeowners. The nonprofit organization’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward this vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with families in need of decent and affordable housing.