Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County will close its ReStore, the nonprofit’s retail arm, as part of a larger strategy to best position the organization to focus on affordable housing and minimize the retail operation’s financial losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a part of the store’s closure, Habitat Santa Barbara will host a clearance sale, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily Aug. 6-16 at 6860 Cortona Drive, Ste. A, Goleta.
The staff, working alongside the Board of Directors and the finance committee, made the determination to close the ReStore so Habitat’s housing-focused mission can continue in a sustainable way.
“The closing of our ReStore, a difficult yet necessary decision, will position Habitat Santa Barbara to sharpen its focus on housing, while optimizing fundraising in other ways to support this critical work,” said Jessica Wishan, Habitat Santa Barbara CEO. “This pivot will allow our 20-year history to continue so that we can keep building homes, communities and hope.”
The ReStore opened in Goleta in 2012 and provided the community with a resource to donate and buy new and gently used items at a fraction of the retail price. All retail sales benefited the mission of Habitat Santa Barbara and served to partially fund its work in affordable housing.
“While we know this decision impacts the community in many ways, we are grateful to have reactivated our home repair program safely and will continue to explore how to best address the permanent housing needs of our local community, especially in light of the interconnectedness between health and housing,” Wishan said.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the community’s need for safe and affordable homes has grown. With the increase in stay-at-home orders and more time spent at home, coupled with the financial strain felt across Santa Barbara communities, Habitat is receiving increased requests for home repair assistance.
Habitat Santa Barbara’s staff and volunteers continue to work to meet the diverse needs of its neighborhoods.
The ReStore clearance sale will be conducted in compliance with COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. Face masks and gloves will be required for anyone entering the building. Entrance to the store and parking are at the rear of the building on Cortona Drive. For more sale details, visit www.sbhabitat.org.
Established in 2000, Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County is a nonprofit that helps individuals and families build and improve a place to call home. With the support of volunteers and donors, Habitat Santa Barbara has built 22 new homes for 84 people, 50% of whom are children; as well as helped rebuild and repair more than 150 homes across the South County.