After months of online-only sales due to the coronavirus pandemic, Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area (HFHSSMA) has announced that the ReStore will reopen to the public on Tuesday, June 9th at 12:00 p.m.
The store on White Oak Drive will open with health and safety measures in place to protect the welfare of customers, staff, volunteers, and the families that HFHSSMA serves. Such measures include limiting staff, limiting the number of shoppers allowed inside to ten at a time, enforcing physical distancing, providing hand sanitizer upon entry, installing plexiglass shields at check out, and quarantine and cleaning protocols for all donations to the store. Staff have also completed various health and safety courses online in preparation for reopening.
For the foreseeable future, the ReStore will offer shoppers reduced hours – Tuesday to Saturday, noon to five. This will ensure that the limited staff have plenty of time to sanitize the store and provide the safest working and shopping environment possible.
The ReStore’s Donation Center will be open by appointment only from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday. The shop will continue to play a vital part in keeping quality new and used items out of landfills and providing affordable products and materials to the community.
HFHSSMA will continue operating their online shop, too, so those who may feel unsafe shopping in-person can do so from the comfort of their own homes.
Most importantly, reopening the ReStore will allow HFHSSMA to recuperate essential fundraising efforts that support their mission of providing affordable homeownership opportunities to local families.
“The ReStore is an essential component of our organization. After operating expenses all money raised from the sale of goods goes towards building new homes for local families. Closing the store in March was a difficult, but necessary decision for everyone’s safety. It had a significant impact on our fundraising abilities. Re-opening the store has also required a lot of effort and planning, but we are confident that staff are well equipped to manage the re-opening” states Katie Blunt, Executive Director.
HFHSSMA will continue to work toward their mission despite the many challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
“HFHSSMA is happy to announce that we are re-opening our doors to the community. Times are different and patience will be required. We are confident in the support of our customers, donors and Habitat Canada. Thank you and we are looking forward to reconnecting safely” says Amanda Ridley, ReStore Manger.