Habitat for Humanity ReStore to close 2 London locations this fall

The local branch of Habitat for Humanity is closing two of its London stores that offered second-hand building materials, furniture and other home improvement supplies at discounted prices.

The ReStore on Wonderland Road will wind down at the end of September, the non-profit organization said, with the second location on Adelaide Street shuttering in November. One ReStore will remain open in the east-end on Pacific Court.

Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario, the local branch of Habitat for Humanity, is a global non-profit that builds affordable housing through donations and the proceeds from the ReStores.

The closures come as the organization also said it would be selling off 1.3 acres of land on Highbury Avenue that had city approval to build two stacked townhouse buildings. The plan, which would have seen 20, two-bedroom units constructed, had been paused since 2024.

"While these decisions have been incredibly difficult, we look forward to a healthy path ahead in strengthening our social enterprise model, and establishing new build projects within the scope and size we have always managed well since 1993," Chief Executive Officer Susan Fahner said in an email Friday.

The organization said it had expanded pre-pandemic, including opening more ReStores and buying additional land for future builds. But when the pandemic hit, alongside the housing crisis and rising prices, Habitat for Humanity in Ontario was "severely challenged".

Fahner said the decision to consolidate, including amalgamating the organization's head office, will allow Habitat for Humanity Heartland to continue building affordable housing.

"The housing crisis is persistent and unyielding and requires creativity and partnership in the path ahead across the six counties that we serve," Fahner said.

At the Adelaide Street ReStore on Friday, customers were surprised by news of the closure, including those both buy and donate materials.

"I use it all the time! It's a wonderful way of trading in and giving back to the community, and rehabilitating stuff that's very useable. It's just tragic," said Leslie Brock, a London resident who's been a client and contributor at the store for a decade.

Hazem Aslan said it's devastating because many people are going through financially difficult times, and the ReStore helps them afford items they need.

"Sometimes you come into the store [and get] what you need, at a really good price. It's way cheaper than brand new," Aslan said.

"I used to have a mechanic shop, and sometimes I'd come [to] buy tools. So it's very helpful for the neighbourhood [and] for low-income people."

There are no plans at this time to close any of the ReStores in Brantford, Stratford, St. Thomas or Woodstock.