Better Futures, Habitat open used building-materials stores on south side

Two nonprofit enterprises, Better Futures Minnesota and Habitat for Humanity, are opening used building-materials, appliance and fixtures stores within a block of each other on a mile of Minnehaha Avenue S. between 26^th and 38^th streets that features retailers peddling used and recycled goods.

Better Futures Minnesota recently opened its store at 26^th and Minnehaha and also launched an online e-commerce site for reclaimed building materials. Better Futures, which employs 72, most of whom are reentering the workforce from prison, also provides "deconstruction services" that Hennepin County says are cost-effective and better alternatives to demolition. Eighty five percent of a building is recycled.

"We look at how to minimize construction and demolition waste going to the landfill," said Paul Kroening, a supervising environmentalist at Hennepin County. "Better Futures is the only one providing deconstruction services, and it works well with employment training and improving lives."

In 2015, nearly 700 tons of material was recycled or reused, thanks to Better Futures deconstruction services. More info: www.betterfuturesminnesota.com

Habitat for Humanity, which operates a store in New Brighton, on Thursday opens a "Restore'' at 27^th and Minnehaha that features new and used building materials, appliances, cabinets, furniture, flooring, lighting, plumbing, and hardware. It's donated by individuals, builders, wholesalers and manufacturers. Donated items are resold at up to 70 percent off retail prices.

Sales at the 23,000 square-foot store will go toward increasing the number of working-poor families who help build and buy new and refurbished Habitat Homes. The ReStore in New Brighton last year earned about $300,000 on sales of more than $900,000, enough to be primary construction partner for six new Habitat homes. Donations are tax-deductible. More information: www.tchabitat.org.

Habitat, one of the biggest housing suppliers in the Twin Cities, has partnered with low-income home owners, volunteers and funders to build or renovate more than 3,000 homes over 30 years.