Habitat store doubles in size

The newly expanded Habitat-Spokane Builders Surplus Store has made finding good materials at great prices a lot easier.

In December, the home supply store, 850 E. Trent Ave., doubled in size from 12,000 to 24,000 square feet. The added space means more items, improved displays and additional parking.

“We’re not a junk store or a garage sale. We’re a professional retail store,” said manager Jeff Howard .

All items have been donated by businesses, contractors, builders and homeowners. Many items are business overstocks and closeout items.

The proceeds go to Habitat-Spokane to build homes for low-income families in Spokane County.

The store sells appliances, plumbing fixtures, paint, doors, windows, lumber, roofing, cabinets, hardware, tile, electrical/lighting, flooring, carpeting and more.

Since the store opened in 2000, more than 1,009 tons of materials have been diverted from the waste stream and enough money has been raised to build eight houses, at an average cost of $62,500.

On Jan. 22, the store celebrated its fifth anniversary by offering everything in the store at 25 percent off. The store had its best day ever, $14,500 in sales, or as Howard saw it – almost one-third of a house.

Howard said a homeowner recently purchased $14,000 worth of windows for his house and didn’t like them so he donated them to the surplus store. The new windows sold for $7,000.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

To find out what items are accepted for donation or to schedule a pickup, call 535-9517.