We are living in times when some of us have too much and others not enough. Being able to contribute to an important cause is something that makes us feel good and by decluttering and clearing out what we no longer need, we also help reduce landfill and waste.
ReStore is not just another charity shop but rather, is leading the change in 'op-shopping'. A combination of old-fashioned customer service and a passion for dressing and styling donated items give browsers inspiration and they can easily envision new purchases in their home.
The opening of the new ReStore at 17 Link Drive, Wairau Park is the fifth ReStore to join the charity shop chain in the Auckland region. These charity shops accept donations of new and gently used furniture, appliances, home décor, books and building supplies from the public.
Manager Linda Denny is supported by a creative team of volunteers who work on up-cycling furniture pieces on-site giving ‘a past a future’; varnishing, shabby-chic paint effects, repair and refreshing. The styling in store is charming and done with an eye of an interior stylist. Pre-loved pieces are assembled to display how it could look in a new home. A beautiful vase on a side table with a stack of classic books and a china tea cup for example, or a French Provencal setting that give a dining room a new look.
The space in Link Drive is spacious and light and a lot of the shop fittings were sourced very cheaply from a retailer who were selling off clothing racks and shelves. This helps showcase the quality clothing and homeware attractively, inspiring shoppers to give their home or wardrobe a lift.
ReStore supports the charity Habitat for Humanity Auckland, which is part of an affiliated Habitat network working in over 70 countries worldwide towards their vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
In pursuit of this vision, Habitat Auckland provides a wide range of home construction, repair, renovation and advocacy programmes aimed at building strength, stability, and self-reliance in communities through shelter.
While their work is strongly focused on the needs of vulnerable households in Auckland, they also provide significant support across the Pacific region through ongoing build programmes and disaster relief.
There is different upcycling happening throughout the stores all the time so each time you pop in you’ll see something new. The friendly staff are happy to help with advice on how you can create your own up-cycled masterpieces at home.
If you do have some items that need a new home, ReStore offer a free donation pickup. They would love to have some more volunteers to help in the store or with pickups, and at the coalface of building and improving houses and communities.
Each donation and purchase makes a big difference toward the vision of Habitat for Humanity: that everyone deserves a decent place to live.
ReStore, 18 Link Drive, Wairau Valley
To donate: 09 222 1992
www.habitatauckland.org.nz/restores
