About
ReStore
What is the ReStore?
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a thrift warehouse where we accept donated materials from both individuals and commercial operations, and then sell them to our shoppers at a discounted rate. The funds we raise at our ReStore go directly to fund the building of affordable homes in our community and provide free basic home repairs to elderly and veterans who are living on fixed incomes. Some of the items you will find are furniture, home décor, lighting, kitchen cabinets, windows, doors, tools and appliances.
The ReStore at 51 Austin Street in Danbury is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 9am-4pm and Thursday 9am – 6pm.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @DanburyReStore, where we regularly post our latest donations, sales and special events.
ReStore proceeds help to build Habitat homes. Shop or donate to turn ordinary items into extraordinary homes.
Donate to ReStore
To request a donation pickup at your home, click the green “Donation Pickup” button on the bottom right corner of the screen. You will need to upload photos of the items you wish to donate. This is the fastest way to schedule a pick-up. We will do our best to respond within 3 to 4 business days. There is an optional donation fee of $20 to help offset the cost of gas and truck maintenance.
Drop-off donations can be made at 51 Austin Street from 10am-3pm, Tuesday-Saturday. A list of what we accept is shown below. We recommend emailing photo’s of your donations prior to drop off to ensure items can be accepted. Email photo’s to donationapproval@housatonichabitat.org.
LARGE/ESTATE PICKUPS – If you are clearing out the contents of an estate or have an exceptionally large pickup request, please email us at donate@housatonichabitat.org to arrange a pick up.
RETAIL/COMMERCIAL PICKUPS – If you are a business and have excess inventory, clearance or bulk items you would like to donate, please email us at donate@housatonichabitat.org to arrange a pick up.
What We Accept
Antiques – Furniture, doorknobs, claw foot tubs, lamps, sinks, architectural salvage, light fixtures, home decor, etc.
Appliances – Must be in working condition. Refrigerators, dryers, ranges, cooktops, microwaves, ovens, fans, heaters, vacuum cleaners, washing machines. New or used items (less than 7 years old). No dishwashers.
Architectural Items – Mantels, columns (interior & exterior), corbels, etc.
Building Supplies — Shingles (full bundles), nails and screws (full boxes only). We not accept lumber.
Cabinetry – Kitchen and bathroom cabinets (less than 15 years old, in good condition, with no
missing parts). Counter tops, straight sections without holes only. Complete bathroom vanities.
Doors – Solid wood, storm, fire doors (interior & exterior)
Fireplace Mantels, hearths and tools/accessories
Flooring Material (100 sq. ft. minimum) – New in box vinyl sheet and tile, hardwoods/ parquet, ceramic & porcelain tile, marble & granite. Area rugs new or very gently used.
Furniture – Upholstered furniture, wood & metal furniture, tables, dressers, bookshelves, floor/table lamps. Items must be in good condition with no missing parts, tears, or stains. Upholstered pieces must come from a smoke-free environment.
Garden/Landscaping items – Gardening tools, wheelbarrows, fencing, flower pots, plant stands, power tools.
Housewares – Home decor items, such as vases, trays, mirrors, dishware, artwork, lamps, blenders, coffee pots, etc.
Insulation – NEW
Lighting – Lamps, chandeliers, ceiling fixtures, wall sconces. Items must be in good working condition with no missing/broken pieces or parts.
Patio Furniture – Seasonal
Sewing Machines
Siding – Minimum 400 sq. ft. required to do a project
Sinks & Toilets – Stainless steel and/or white only. Must be new or in like-new condition. No wall mounts.
Shutters – NEW
Skylights – NEW
Stair Rails, Newel Posts and Spindles
Tubs & Showers – Clawfoot, fiberglass or solid surface. New or like-new condition. White only. Vintage claw foot.
Vents – For floor, ceiling or dryer
Windows – Complete double pane window units in good condition with no missing parts (no storm windows or sashes accepted)
Wood Trim and Molding – NEW
What We Do Not Accept
Air Conditioning Window Units (unless new in box)
Appliances in out of style colors, or more than 7 years old
Baby equipment: strollers, cribs, high chairs, etc.
Books
Carpet or Padding (unless new)
Ceiling Fans (unless new in box)
Clothing
Computers or Computer parts
Building materials — Piping, Roofing Shingles (unless new in box), Sheetrock, Studs
Dishwashers
Exercise equipment
File Cabinets (metal)
Garage doors or openers (unless new in box)
Hazardous Chemicals (including pesticides and paint thinner)
Lumber and wood scraps– USED
Mattresses or box springs
Medical Equipment, such as wheelchairs, crutches, hospital beds, shower seats, etc.
Oil & Gas Containers
Paint (except NEW unopened WHITE paint)
Pianos
Plumbing & HVAC Supplies – Faucets, couplings, sink strainers, shower heads, drains
Shower Doors – used
Single Pane Windows
Sofa Beds
Storm Windows
Televisions
Unframed mirrors and glass
Water Heaters (over 5 years old)
Window treatments, drapes, blinds, and shades
The History of ReStore
The first Habitat for Humanity ReStore was launched in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1991. In September of 1992, the first ReStore in the United States opened its doors in Austin, Texas. Since then, ReStores have expanded to more than 800 stores in the U.S. and a growing number of stores internationally.
Housatonic Habitat for Humanity opened its ReStore in 2009. On May 6, 2011, it expanded to a new 10,000 square foot home at 51 Austin Street, Danbury.
The new ReStore is three times the size of its old location, and shelves are stocked with four times more home improvement merchandise than ever before. As always, everything is offered at a fraction of the original retail prices.
In November of 2021, we opened a satellite store in Danbury Fair mall where we sell hand-selected furniture and home goods. In addition to selling items, we use this store to spread the word about our mission to provide affordable home ownership, and home repairs for seniors and veterans on fixed incomes and to promote our main location at 51 Austin Street.
Today, our warehouse welcomes thousands of customers a year. Sales have tripled over the last two years alone and profit has risen 33% – more than the entire affiliate budget earlier this decade. Better than a treasure hunt…better than a yard sale…ReStore is also where people go when they need affordable materials for their homes or apartments. We are taking materials that can be reused and re-purposed and giving them new life.
FAQs
Q: How does ReStore work?
Turn your unwanted items into Habitat homes. Sales from ReStore fund our affordable housing mission. Here’s how:
When doing renovations on your home and removing materials that are too good to throw away, don’t trash them – donate them to ReStore.
When you donate your surplus, overstock, close-out, gently used, or “mistakenly” ordered materials to ReStore, they will be sold rather than discarded.
All proceeds go directly to Housatonic Habitat for Humanity to support our affordable housing mission.
Q: What donations does ReStore accept?
ReStore accepts new and gently used building materials, home improvement supplies including tools, doors, and windows, appliances, furniture and home decor items. Donations must be clean and functional. See above for the list of accepted and not accepted items.
Q: Who benefits from ReStore?
Customers: Who can save from 50% - 90% off retail prices of home improvement and household items.
Donors: Who can support our affordable housing mission by recycling items instead of discarding them.
Community: Where affordable housing is added and repairs made in support of low-income homeowners.
Mother Nature: Who sighs in relief that good, usable items are not filling a landfill.
Q: What does ReStore do with my donations?
Donations are sold to shoppers at discounted prices – typically 50-75% below retail value. Proceeds fund Habitat’s mission to build affordable homes that are sold at cost to working families across Western Connecticut.
Q: Who can shop at ReStore?
Anyone can! ReStore is open to the public. Our hours are: Tuesday-Saturday 9 am - 4pm. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and Holidays.
Q: What types of payment does the ReStore accept?
Cash, most major credit cards, and checks. We do not accept American Express.
Q: Can I return an item purchased?
All sales are final. However, most appliances are covered with a 30-day warranty and may be returned with the original receipt if defective.
Q: Can ReStore pick-up my donations?
Yes, ReStore can pick-up larger items. To schedule a pick-up, send an email to donations@housatonichabitat.org or call 203.744.1340.
Q: Can ReStore deliver my purchase?
ReStore does not offer a delivery service, but purchased items can be held at the store for up to seven business days while you arrange transportation.
