WATSONVILLE — Habitat for Humanity of Monterey Bay threw open its doors at a grand opening ceremony Thursday for the relocation of their ReStore at 555 Main St. in Watsonville.
The festive event drew community members, business people, Restore staff and area dignitaries, including Watsonville Mayor Jimmy Dutra.
“We’re thrilled that Habitat for Humanity chose Watsonville for their newest ReStore,” Dutra said. “This is a nice reminder that we are becoming a stronger community, especially coming out of the pandemic.”
After six years at the Swift Street location on the westside of Santa Cruz, the ReStore shifted gears with a move to Watsonville for a more heavily trafficked location.
The ReStore sells new and “gently” used home furnishings, tools, hardware, and building materials, whose sales fund the nonprofit organization’s single-family home and ADU building projects in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. More than half of the items sold are new, donated materials that are sold at discount.
“Watsonville is not new to Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay, having built one of their first homes there,” said Betsy Powers, Resource Development Director Habitat for Humanity. “In addition, the organization is in the planning process to build 11 new single family homes on Airport Road in Watsonville. The Main Street location will encourage foot traffic to the store, and staff is excited about the high-profile location in the evolving city center.”
In addition to five full-time staff, the ReStore relies on volunteers for a variety of customer service, item repair, and maintenance tasks.
For information, to make donations or volunteer, go here.
