Jun 6, 2025
Courtesy Photo In this photo taken by Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan Executive Director Ted Fines, Habitat staff members are seen behind the counter at the ReStore on Thursday. Pictured, in front, from left, are Jenny Nestell, Kristen LeSage, and Theresa McMaster. In the second row are Ross Bartz and Ona Rude. In back are Dave Haskin, Tom Karr, and Anthony Barclay.
ALPENA — The Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan ReStore opened exactly 20 years ago today.
That initial ReStore opened in a building across from the Alpena Township offices on U.S.-23 North. Habitat was renting that first building, and then five years later, purchased the building at 400 W. Chisholm St., which they renovated and expanded. The ReStore operated there until a fire consumed it on Nov. 3, 2019. The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical.
The ReStore operated in a temporary location at 2118 Werth Road until moving into its permanent location in November 2021 at 2630 U.S.-23 South in Alpena, where the ReStore and Habitat offices remain today.
Habitat is celebrating 20 years of building community in Alpena through affordable goods and affordable housing.
“Since opening its doors in 2005, the ReStore has become more than just a place to find discounted furniture, appliances, and building materials,” a press release from Habitat stated. “It has evolved into a cornerstone of sustainability and community support, where every purchase directly funds local Habitat for Humanity home construction projects.”
“Every sofa, every tool, every piece of lumber sold at our ReStore helps build a foundation for a family’s future,” said Ted Fines, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan. “Over these 20 years, we’ve seen firsthand how this simple concept – selling donated goods to fund affordable housing – can transform lives and strengthen our entire community.”
Resilience through challenges
The ReStore’s journey hasn’t been without obstacles. In November 2019, a devastating fire destroyed the original Chisholm Street location, where the store had operated since 2005. What could have been the end of an era instead became a testament to community resilience.
After two years of temporary operations, the ReStore reopened in its current permanent location on U.S.-23 South in November 2021, emerging stronger and more spacious than before. The new facility allows for expanded inventory and better serves the growing needs of Northeast Michigan families.
More than just shopping
The ReStore accepts donations six days a week, offering convenient drop-off during business hours or scheduled pick-up services. This accessibility has made it easy for community members to participate in the cycle of giving that defines the ReStore’s mission.
Beyond the environmental benefits of keeping usable goods out of landfills, the ReStore serves as a gathering place where neighbors meet neighbors, where families find quality items at prices they can afford, and where volunteers contribute to something larger than themselves.
Looking forward
As the ReStore enters its third decade, the focus remains on its dual mission: providing affordable home goods to community members while generating funds for Habitat’s housing programs. Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan continues building affordable housing throughout the region, with each ReStore purchase contributing to this vital work.
The anniversary celebration reflects not just the success of a single store, but the power of a community that believes in second chances – for furniture, for families, and for the future of Northeast Michigan.
“When someone shops at our ReStore, they’re not just getting a great deal,” Fines noted. “They’re investing in their neighbor’s dream of homeownership. That’s something worth celebrating for the next 20 years and beyond.”
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