The new Habitat For Humanity Huronia ReStore is officially open for business.
Officials from the local charitable organization gathered outside the new Bayfield Street location Thursday morning to celebrate what they acknowledge was a pretty big undertaking.
At approximately 24,000 square feet, the new store, located in the former Barrie Examiner building at 571 Bayfield St., is nearly double the size of the Brock Street location, which had been the ReStore’s home for 26 years, and is the result of “belief, sprinkled in with determination and will,” says the organization’s chief executive officer, Rob Cikoja
“Belief is strong. It creates hope and allows obstacles to be eliminated. Belief in our organization is the reason we are able to be here today (as well as) belief from our board of directors (who) from the very beginning stages of this vision were all in with their support,” he said.
The belief of the multiple partners involved in the efforts, Cikoja added, will allow the organization to get closer to achieving their mission of fighting the affordable housing crisis, even through an unprecedented pandemic.
Cikoja also credited what he said was the store staff’s “endless supply of energy serving customers and building relationships,” which resulted in customers coming back consistently and, ultimately, being the reason they were able to make the move.
“Belief is a dangerous thing. It allows us to reach for what may be considered impossible. It allows us to envision a point where our mission to eliminate the affordable housing crisis can be achieved," he said.
Mayor Jeff Lehman, who has been involved with the organization for more than 10 years, told the crowd that one of the best parts of being mayor is the opportunity to attend key ceremonies at the end of a building project.
“There is just no question at all that out of all the stuff I get to do… those key ceremonies are the most touching and wonderful moments,” he said. “For those who can’t afford a down payment, the chance to do it through sweat equity is fantastic.
"Those key ceremonies are so moving because it gives people a chance they would never have had otherwise, which is to put their own effort into creating some ownership in a place they can be proud of," Lehman added.
Habitat For Humanity also helps fight the ever-growing affordable housing crisis the city faces.
“Never in my life did I think I would be the mayor of a city with the highest rent in Ontario. My whole life, Toronto was that place… and it’s now us. That’s astonishing," Lehman said.
The ReStore serves as the city’s go-to place for anyone looking to get rid of items they no longer need and for those looking to upgrade their home with anything from furniture to building supplies. Funds generated are used to support local Habitat home building projects; the ReStore is one of the best ways for the organization to raise money.
The Barrie Examiner was closed in November 2017 immediately after being sold by Postmedia to Torstar. The local newspaper had been in operation since 1864. The Bayfield Street building had at one time housed its printing presses, newsroom and various office staff after relocating from its previous location near the Five Points in downtown Barrie in 1999.
