Habitat for Humanity launching Miramichi ReStore

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Habitat for Humanity New Brunswick has announced plans to open a location for its discount retailer in Miramichi this summer and build another duplex in the city.

The non-profit housing group issued a news release April 3 announcing the opening of a ReStore outlet on King George Highway, in the former village of Douglastown, and the second duplex being built on Water Street, in the old town of Chatham.

The duplex will be placed next to the first one currently under construction near McIntosh Street, across from the abandoned Chatham Generating Station site.

“We look forward to strengthening our existing partnership with the City of Miramichi and seek to establish many new partnerships in the area,” Habitat New Brunswick CEO Perry Kendall said in the release.

“Habitat New Brunswick currently has 88 families in homes throughout the province and we are
committed to having an even greater impact on rectifying the critical lack of affordable housing in New
Brunswick. By working together, we can help many more families achieve affordable homeownership.”

Work began last year on Habitat’s first Miramichi duplex, which is being built on land previously donated by the city. Council rezoned the property last year to make way for the development.

Kendall said applications are currently being accepted for the homes, which are built with financial and in-kind contributions and revenue from the ReStore – a social enterprise retailer that accepts and resells donations of new and gently used furniture, appliances, home decor, and building materials.

The Miramichi ReStore will open in the same building that houses Rice King Restaurant and Branded on the Boulevard, Kendall said. The store’s exact opening date will be announced in the coming weeks.

Donations will be taken from local individuals, businesses, contractors, and other partners. Kendall said Habitat will start accepting donations in the Miramichi area in late-May, with a pickup and delivery service to be offered when the store is up and running.

ReStores are operated by paid staff and volunteers. Kendall said the stores have diverted more than 950 million pounds of household items and building supplies from landfills over the past three decades.

“We are very happy to be opening this new ReStore in Miramichi”, said Kendall. “This is an exciting step for our organization as we build on the strengths of successful ReStores already established in Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John.”

Miramichi Mayor Adam Lordon said he’s “very pleased” to see Habitat expanding its presence in the city.

“Miramichi desperately needs more affordable housing, so the news of two additional units is very exciting,” he said in the release. “We also welcome the arrival of the ReStore, which will reduce waste and create more affordable options for home renovation and furnishing projects.”