Habitat Restore set to open in Peru this spring

Open Our Doors Campaign is seeking $375,000 to support the start-up of the store

A nice crowd attended the reception Thursday at the Westclox building in Peru to hear about the new Habitat For Humanity ReStore which will be located in Peru.

“You’re going to be at an intersection that’s probably one of the busiest intersections in La Salle County, so you’re going to have a great location and with your signage you’ll be a busy place. There’s no doubt about it.”

—  Peru Mayor Scott Harl

PERU – Habitat for Humanity of La Salle, Bureau & Putnam Counties has kicked off its Open Our Doors Campaign for its new resale store set to open in Peru late spring.

Named the Habitat Restore, it will be located at 1001 Shooting Park Road.

The new location for the ReStore in Peru.

The Open Our Doors Campaign seeks to raise $375,000 to help start the Restore.

During a reception Thursday in Peru’s Westclox building, Sally Van Cura, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of La Salle, Bureau & Putnam Counties, said the vision for Restore is “truly community teamwork.”

“We need you to sponsor and make gifts,” she said, adding that the organization also is on the hunt for donations to fill the 28,000-square-foot location.

Habitat For Humanity Executive Director Sally Van Cura addresses reception attendees Thursday at the Westclox building in Peru regarding the new ReStore building location in Peru.

The Miller Group Charitable Trust has provided the lead gift of the campaign, which came in the form of a $100,000 grant on Christmas Eve.

The Habitat for Humanity Board also has been able to secure a $175,000 joint loan from 13 area banks to help finance the Habitat Restore project so it could open to the community sooner.

Thomas Pigati, vice president of the Habitat board, said Thursday the support of the banks came with a little help from John McCormick, president and CEO of Eureka Savings Bank.

Pigati said it was McCormick who networked with the area banks and asked if they would be willing to make a donation toward the Habitat mission, to which they all agreed. The Eureka Savings Bank Board was so supportive of the Restore project that they approved a $15,000 donation.

“John, you don’t know how much Habitat appreciates what you did,” Pigati said Thursday.

McCormick spoke briefly during the reception, saying it’s all about community.

“It’s important to understand community and give back to worthwhile things like Habitat,” he said. “It’s community banking; we’re all very happy to step forward and participate. We all invest in the community and care about the people, businesses and organizations.”

McCormick was gifted with a homemade sign for his key role in bringing the Habitat Restore mission to fruition.

Joyce McCullough, trustee of the Miller Group’s Charitable Trust, also accepted a gift on behalf of the board for the campaign’s lead gift.

What will the Habitat Restore do for the area?

The proceeds raised at the Habitat Restore will provide a funding source for the local Habitat for Humanity organization to provide housing and homeowner repair opportunities. These repairs in turn will assist with property values in the three counties it serves.

The Habitat Restore will provide nine jobs to start, pay local and state taxes, provide a community center for trainings, meetings and gatherings, assist local businesses by providing tax and marketing alternatives to donations as the organization clears out its surplus inventory, provide a recyclable alternative and allow for a destination shopping experience.

Peru Mayor Scott Harl was present at Thursday’s reception and said it’s wonderful that Peru was chosen for the Habitat Restore.

“You’re going to be at an intersection that’s probably one of the busiest intersections in La Salle County, so you’re going to have a great location and with your signage you’ll be a busy place. There’s no doubt about it.”

Harl also said the ball is rolling to soon begin building a new Habitat home in Peru. The location is yet to be determined.

Donations are now being accepted

Donations to the Habitat Restore now are being accepted at the Peru location (1001 Shooting Park Road) on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. To schedule a weekend delivery, call 815-434-2041.

Free donation pickup beings March 10.

Items accepted include: New and gently used furniture, major appliances (not older than nine years), kitchen cabinets, kitchen sinks/faucets, bathroom vanities/sinks/faucets, interior/exterior doors, windows, lighting/lamps, home decor items, tools and hardware, building materials, plumbing, electrical/electronics, flooring, outdoor furniture, children’s furniture and landscaping materials.