RAPID CITY - With less than a month until its official opening, Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity's future ReStore already has received merchandise for its shelves.

Using grants from the Vucurevich Foundation and First National Bank - as well as ties to area Knecht Lumber and Lowe's stores - Habitat recently hired its ReStore manager, Charles Brimmer. It then began refurbishing the 8,000 square-foot site where organizers plan to open a discounted building materials store on July 28.

The space on the southwest side of the Cornerstone Rescue Mission's Thrift Store at 401 B 11th St., resembles a warehouse more than it does a retail store as Habitat volunteers and Scull Construction crews jackhammer through the concrete flooring for new plumbing.

Scott Engmann, executive director of Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity, said the goals of ReStore Outlet are diverse.

By providing a one-stop shop for donating and buying discounted building materials, the organization would provide low-income customers with low-cost materials, keep sustainable products from filling landfills and create capital to help fund another of the seven Habitat houses built each year in the area.

"Our goal is to sell our merchandise at 50 to 70 percent of retail value. We'd like to drive enough earnings to fund one more house built out of the profits," he said.

Engmann said when donating large appliances, a $25 deposit fee will be collected to offset disposal if the appliance doesn't work.

Brimmer said that a working relationship with the community is important for the store to succeed. The store will depend heavily on volunteers in its daily operations of cleaning up products, driving, picking up donations and doing maintenance.

"We have six to seven volunteers now, but we'll need more. I'm looking at community involvement - seniors, retirees or other volunteer organizations. It's going to be a big part of what we do, and it is a great connection to the people we serve," Brimmer said.

Glass doors, light fixtures and a pallet of windows have arrived at the construction site for eventual sale in the new outlet, according to Brimmer.

After construction is completed, shelving will be set up and about $40,000 worth of merchandise organized. In the meantime, good word-of-mouth generated in the remodeling and refurbishing communities has sent homeowners to their phones asking when Brimmer's people can pick up salvaged windows, doors, fixtures and appliances for the store.

"I'm fielding 20 calls a day. I've gotten calls from people in Sturgis, Spearfish and Custer to pick up things. The word is definitely out there," he said.

Brimmer, 52, has been in the construction business most of his life. He eventually became involved in the management side of the business, working as director of operations, property manager and maintenance manager before being hired in Rapid City.

Born in Springfield, Ohio, he grew up in public housing and empathizes with the Habitat families' dreams of owning their own homes one day.

"I've been there," he said. "Habitat is the one agency that does it right."

Brimmer has organized pick up for appliances, doors, windows and other large items between 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. The store is unable to accept items dropped off except by appointment. For an appointment, call 791-1880.

ReStore, an acronym for Recycle Everything So Tomorrow Our Resources Exist, has scheduled Tuesdays and Fridays to pick up items between 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Appliances require a $25 deposit, which is refundable upon a satisfactory performance test of the item. For an appointment, call 791-1880. Donated items accepted include:

ReStore will not accept damaged or nonworking materials, upholstered or office furniture, toys, clothing of any kind or small household appliances such as toasters, blenders, mixers.