Habitat for Humanity ReStore opens in new Saint John location

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore has a new home in Saint John and has high hopes that the new location will bring in more customers.

Dave Delaney, the organization's executive director, said he hopes the new location at 727 Rothesay Ave. will help increase traffic and sales, resulting in more funding to build more homes.

"[It's] much more open, it's easier for the 25,000 customers that come through our doors every year to manoeuvre around and find products for them," he said.

In the past 15 years, the local Habitat for Humanity chapter has put 17 families in new homes, thanks in part to money raised by the ReStore selling new and gently used building supplies, said Delaney.

Now, Habitat is hoping to get more housing projects underway than ever before, he said.

The grand reopening of the ReStore on Thursday during a snowstorm didn't seem to keep customers away.

Melanie Walsh, the store's manager, said after being closed for three days during the store's relocation, customers were practically clawing at the doors to get in.

"Even with the storm, people want to come in and shopping. And we're really surprised we had the people. I mean, there was people who told their wives they were going out for coffee and came here," she said.

Doug Courtney was among those braving the storm, looking for a bargain.

"It's for a worthy cause, the money goes to helping people out and also excellent deals. And there's no HST or anything like that, so it's a big saving really," said Courtney, who headed to the cash with a red cardinal ornament for the lawn and a light.