This Thrift Store is a Hidden Gem for Lighting

We bought our house just under two years ago and one thing that I’ve learned is – – buying a house is NOT like the home shows on TV. Ha. Renoavtions aren’t cheap. They take a long time and most of the time, something else comes up that is more important {A/C breaks..dishwasher goes out…furnace has a crack…oh wait, that’s just me?}.

When you can’t fix everything you want {at once}, my number one tip is to change the lighting! The simplest lighting update can change an entire room, making it feel brand new. Before we were able to fully update our dining room, we did a quick chandelier swap and I couldn’t believe the difference. While we got a good deal at Menards, I wish I would have known about this hidden gem on Cleveland Ave. – ReStore. They have THE BEST LIGHTING FOR THE CHEAPEST PRICES EVER!!!

But first, before I share more on lighting, if you’re like me, you may have driven by and just assumed it was a warehouse for Habitat for Humanity and kept on driving. It wasn’t until someone told me they got a restoration hardware globe chandelier for 75% off store pricing did I make the effort to actually go inside the doors!

So, what is ReStore?

In a quick description, Habitat ReStore is a discount home improvement store open to the public. The money they make goes straight to Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio. Pretty cool, right?

WHERE DOES ALL THAT STUFF COME FROM?

All over the place! People like you, businesses, general contractors, home remodeling contractors, and organizations all donate new and reusable materials from their home remodeling projects, overstock inventory, floor samples, scratch and dent items, and much more. We also remove and salvage materials from buildings being demolished and sell them for about 50% off retail prices.

WHAT’S IT ALL FOR?

Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore is on a mission to eliminate substandard housing and create the opportunity for homeownership in Franklin and Licking counties. But that’s not all. We take it a step further by diverting more than 1,600 tons of durable materials from the local landfill, every year. Communities dig this. A lot. Have you ever been to a landfill? Yikes.

When you walk through the doors, you’re either going to strike gold or pick up some fools gold. I wouldn’t say it is consistent in finding the perfect thing for your house, but when you find something – you’re gonna find something!!

Okay, remember how I said that lighting can change an entire room? Well, this is the place to buy it at! From new to used, from modern to farmhouse, from black to bronze, oil rubbed, from ceiling fan to garage door lights – they have it all.

This is almost $200 at Home Depot!
This is almost $90 on Amazon.
The mini pendant is almost $30 at Home Depot.

Amazing deals, right? If you look up the lights online, you will find they are 4x the price at Lowes – sometimes even more!

Maybe you just need a light cover?

They also have used lighting. Your more vintage finds, if that is what you are into.

While the lighting is one of my go-to finds at ReStore, they offer SO MUCH MORE!!

How cute is this picnic basket I picked up last time for $3?

Make sure you check their Facebook and Instagram to get an idea of what they have in the store!


Location: 3140 Westerville Rd, Columbus, OH 43224

Hours: Mon-Sat | 9-6pm