The ReStore opened for business in June 1997. At the time, it was the third ReStore in the Habitat Central States region. The other two were located in Austin and Fort Worth Texas. After initial minor modifications to the store space, it was opened on Friday the 13th. 

One of the first things the ReStore Director noticed was that the same customers kept coming back week after week. They were intrigued by what the ReStore had to offer and since everything in the store was donated and had to be brought into the space on a daily basis, they found themselves coming back frequently in order to be able to catch the best items. In that respect, the ReStore is not unlike a garage sale. First come, first served. If you see it and you need or want it, then you'd probably better buy it because it is more than likely one of a kind and it may not be there tomorrow.

As the years have gone by, the ReStore's Director has had more success connecting with commercial donors who can supply large quantities of like materials so the mix of merchandise keeps getting better and better. But that same adage still applies--if you want it, buy it today because it may not be there tomorrow and we never know when or if we'll have it again.