Category: ReStories

“It’s a path to the heart.” That’s how Mark Pomeroy recently described coming to work for The ReStore. Mark joined our staff in June as the new Salvage Service manager. In his new role, Mark will oversee all Salvage Service operations, including planning and development for The ReStore’s deconstruction program. Though he’s new to The […]

On Tuesdays Som Tamang often works behind the ReStore register. He’s a Habitat future homeowner working to build 500 sweat equity hours. He’s half way there. At the end of April Som and his wife, Basanti, hit the 250 mark, and they’ve only been at it since February. Som’s story begins in Bhutan where he […]

When you're questing for the latest trends at local idea fairs and home and garden shows, stop by The ReStore booth and meet Heidi White.

You may not often see Karen Nicola in the ReStore, but she’s there, working hard four days each week. She’s kept busy in the Washington County ReStore warehouse pricing “littles’”- hardware and basically anything that isn’t large like furniture. That’s a whole lot of inventory to cycle through! Karen has a lot of experience with […]

Fifty-seven miles worth of trim! If you lined up the 60 or so loads of trim WestPac has donated to The ReStore over the past 7 months, it would go roughly 57 miles. That’s almost 300,000 linear feet of new MDF trim in multiple profiles and sizes.  Builders and other DIYers use   medium density fiberboard for […]

At a very early age, Nicholas Chandler took the adventures of Louis L’Amour to heart and followed it down a path that led him–at 16–onto a freight train heading for Chicago.  “You were brave,” I said.  “Yeah, sometimes it’s just a mistake,” he laughs. “Not so brave.” Nicholas Chandler has spent most of his life traveling and […]

Bundled in with homework tablets and yellow pencils, students in Vancouver and Evergreen ISD are taking food home to their families. About 40 students at Ellsworth Elementary participate in the Thursday Backpack program, said Maria Dorshkind, outreach coordinator of the Family & Community Resource Center at Ellsworth. Family volunteers called “natural leaders” assemble the small food […]

DIY projects take on a decidedly feminine cast when Amanda Bachelder takes out her paint brush and drop cloth. Amanda scours thrift stores, estate sales and The ReStore to bring home raw materials, used furniture and various design elements for her DIY projects. “I like to call my style romantic vintage,” Amanda said. “I love […]

She speaks softly and carries a big stick – No, I mean, she carries a big crowbar. But just how did Salvage Service supervisor Michelle Elmquist turn into such a powerhouse deconstructionist?
"One woman called me a 'sweet lady.' I don't even know how to respond," she says.