Habitat for Humanity opens McDonough ReStore

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity’s latest venture opens today.

The new ReStore is a 19,000-square-foot retail space near the intersection of Avalon Parkway and Ga. Highway 20 that sells donated hard goods, home furnishings and maintenance materials at a reduced price. Proceeds from sales go back into the services that Habitat provides.

Melissa Chapman, CEO of Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity told the McDonough City Council in July a Habitat ReStore typically employs as many as 15 people.

“Home ownership really makes a difference in a community and supports a community’s health and stability,” she said. “We help families have a safe, decent and affordable house to live in.”

Habitat does not build and give away free homes, but rather builds a partnership with new homeowners, requiring them to participate with a “sweat equity”-type investment while teaching principles such as home maintenance and financial literacy.

In exchange, families receive affordable housing they might not otherwise have the opportunity to purchase.

Following the announcement in July, McDonough Mayor Billy Copleland said, “We are so excited to have this here,” adding that Habitat serves “important needs in the community.”

Habitat for Humanity describes ReStores as “nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price.”