FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – The Habitat for Humanity of Broward ReStore is marking a massive milestone as it prepares to celebrate it\u2019s 25th anniversary.<\/p>\n
Since it opened its doors, the store located in Fort Lauderdale has helped South Florida families turn their houses into homes with a wide variety of discounted furniture.<\/p>\n
Nancy Robin, CEO and Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Broward said it\u2019s hard to believe it\u2019s been almost three decades. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard to believe that this Habitat ReStore has been here for 25 years,\u201d said Robin. \u201cIt really was a dream and a social enterprise before social enterprises were really a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
It all began as an exciting vision for Nancy Daly. 7News cameras captured the grand opening back in 2001.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis store has been a dream for three years and it has finally come true,\u201d said Daly during the 2001 opening. <\/p>\n
Decades later, the vision has become a massive success story that is changing lives every day. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are a volunteer army to make the American Dream of homeownership come alive,\u201d said Robin.<\/p>\n
The ReStore operates as a reuse store, selling a wide range of furniture including appliances and household goods at a steep discount.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want a retail store feel with a value price,\u201d Mark Camacho, General Manager at Restore Broward.<\/p>\n
But officials don\u2019t want customers to confuse the store with a thrift store because most of the items sold inside are nearly new.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe amount of donations that come in from steadfast supporters over decades like City Furniture, Fairy\u2019s Lighting, Macys,\u201d said Robin.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s scratch and dent. It\u2019s close out. It\u2019s clearance,\u201d said Camacho.<\/p>\n
Officials said the ReStore\u2019s revenue, which is set to generate $2.4 million in 2026, goes right back to the community. The sales are directed toward funding the homes built by Habitat Broward.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Restore has become our biggest donor that has allowed us to date to build 626 homes,\u201d said Robin.<\/p>\n
As celebrations get underway, officials said they are thanking their customers by giving yet another store promotion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a buy more, save more promotion where the more they spend, the more they\u2019ll save,\u201d said Camacho.<\/p>\n
WSVN-7 has been a major longtime sponsor of the organization.<\/p>\n
The ReStore will host a special event on Tuesday evening to celebrate the big milestone. Looking to the future, officials said their goal is to continue doing more for the community.<\/p>\n