Habitat for Humanity Opens First South Side ReStore, Revitalizing Local Communities
Habitat for Humanity Chicago Executive Director Jennifer Parks is joined by Ald. Stephanie Coleman and board members at the grand opening of Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Englewood (Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback).
Habitat for Humanity Chicago marked a significant milestone recently with the grand opening of ReStore Chicago South, the organization’s first ReStore on the South Side. The new location at 6057 S. Western Ave. promises to offer affordable home improvement products while contributing to the revitalization of the surrounding communities.
There was a VIP reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony that local dignitaries and community leaders attended. Celebrity designer Kyra Epps headlined the event, conducting an interactive interior design workshop called “From House to Home,” sharing tips on transforming living spaces.
Jennifer Parks, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Chicago, emphasized the broader mission behind the opening: “We’re about healthy, thriving communities, and we welcome people to come in and buy new and used building supplies, home goods, furniture, windows, doors—you name it. People can drop off and donate to us, or we’ll come and pick it up.”
Parks explained that the location on Western Avenue was carefully chosen. “We wanted a wide-open space with good lighting and parking. It’s on a vibrant thoroughfare, and we’re excited to invite people from Englewood, Chicago Lawn, and the wider South Side to check out the store.”
The ReStore offers more than just discounted home goods; it provides job opportunities and a chance for community members to volunteer and gain retail experience. “We offer employment and volunteer roles, and for young people needing job experience, this is a great place to start,” Parks added.
Local Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th) also shared her excitement for the project. “Western Avenue is what bridges Englewood to Chicago Lawn and Gage Park.,” she noted. “Historically, the site, which had been vacant for about 10 years, was the old Jewel-Osco, but on this recent Saturday in October, it was reborn into something much more—a fortuitous development because the ReStore could have been located in any other place in the city.”
“Seeing ReStore and Habitat for Humanity making an investment into communities like Englewood, they didn’t have to come here,” added Coleman. “They could have easily gone to the West Loop. They could have easily stayed on the North Side, but they saw an opportunity here, and they saw a leader who would lead, who believed in investment in neighborhoods.”
With the opening of ReStore Chicago South, Habitat for Humanity continues its mission of creating opportunities for homeownership, employment, and community engagement on the South Side. The new store will operate from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., providing affordable home goods and supporting Habitat’s larger vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Frequently Asked Questions:
* What is the purpose of the ReStore?
The ReStore offers affordable home improvement products, provides job opportunities, and allows community members to volunteer and gain retail experience.
* What is the location of the ReStore?
The ReStore is located at 6057 S. Western Ave. in Englewood, Chicago.
* When does the ReStore operate?
The ReStore operates from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Contribution:
Tacuma R. Roeback, Managing Editor
Tacuma R. Roeback is the Managing Editor for the Chicago Defender. His journalism, non-fiction, and fiction have appeared in the Smithsonian Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tennessean, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Phoenix New Times, HipHopDX.com, Okayplayer.com, The Shadow League, SAGE: The Encyclopedia of Identity, Downstate Story, Tidal Basin Review, and Reverie: Midwest African American Literature. He is an alumnus of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Chicago State University, and Florida A&M University.
