As a home improvement thrift store, the Monroe County ReStore is a significant community resource that has been unavailable since mid-March when we closed due to the COVID-19 public health crisis.

We have spent time during this closure learning about ways to improve our safety measures and mitigate risk for staff, customers, and donors. We are now well-equipped to deliver a safe donor and customer experience using best practices and obtaining sources for cleaning and personal protective equipment (PPE).

With new measures in place (and in accordance with local/state/federal guidelines) we feel we are ready to reopen our ReStore to the public tomorrow, May 22. Below is some information about our approach to resuming operations that we hope you may find helpful.

Tiered approach to resuming operations (assuming of course all federal/local guidelines allow us to do so):
  • Friday, May 22: Reopen to shopping
  • Week of 5/26: Begin limited donation pickups
  • Week of 6/9: Begin limited donation drop-offs at store
  • Week of 6/16: Resume regular pickup/drop-off schedule
A few key things we are doing to ensure a safer shopping experience:
  • We're keeping our staff safe. We’re providing staff with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), ample disinfecting supplies/hand sanitizer and encouraging our own team to use social distancing while working in the store.
  • We've adjusted the store layout and traffic flow. We’re making all of our aisles one-way and marking our floor to help provide reminders and guidance for social distancing.
  • We’ve adjusted our shopping hours. We will be open Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays 10:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m.
  • We’ve crafted a safe barrier at the cash wrap. Thanks in large part to an incredible volunteer, we have added a plexiglass barrier to our cash-wrap and are limiting the amount of contact our cashiers have with merchandise.
  • We’re limiting the number of shoppers in the store. Based on federal guidelines and recommendations, we will be limiting the number of shoppers allowed in the store at any given time.
  • We’re increasing frequency of cleaning & disinfecting. We will be increasing the frequency in which we clean and disinfect high-traffic and high-touch areas. We will also, weather permitting, be keeping the store doors open to increase ventilation.
What changes you will see as a customer when you come to shop:
  • Please do not come into the store to shop if you are feeling sick, have tested positive for COVID-19 or have a temperature. Our online store is still open for business and we have curbside pickup available.
  • Be prepared to load your own items. If you need immediate loading assistance, our team can help (we will ask you to stay in your vehicle) and if you need to come back and pick up your donation later, you will need to make an appointment to do so.
  • We expect you to wear a mask or face covering. We ask all customers to wear a face mask or face covering while shopping in order to protect our staff and other customers.
  • Check out a key to our restroom. In order to allow for a private staff restroom and to assist with cleaning, we will be using a key check-out system for our public bathroom.
How you can continue to support us from a distance:
  • Shop from home. We’re still open for business (and curb-side pick-ups) online!
  • Continue to hold onto your drop-off donations or schedule a pickup. If all goes well, we will open for donation drop off a few weeks after opening the store and we’re starting to open limited pickup routes—schedule online now!
Thank you so much for your continued support and patience as we evaluate the safest way to resume operations and reignite our work to help families here in Bloomington with safe, affordable housing.

We hope to see you soon!
Wendi Goodlett
President and CEO
Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County
Meagan Mabrey
Store Manager
Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County ReStore