Corning Habitat for Humanity ReStore continues to rebuild after fire

Lina Portman2 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

The Steuben County Habitat for Humanity ReStore, located off State Route 414 in Corning, does not currently have a specific timeline for reopening, but the date is getting closer.

The store has been closed since a building on the site was left in ruins by a fire at the end of July 2023. Renovation work on the site is underway.

“We're just waiting for our contractor (Finger Lakes South Enterprises) to let us know when the work will be completed,” said Joy Overacker, a spokeswoman for Habitat for Humanity. “I don’t really have a timetable right now, but it will be this summer.”

Overacker said rehabilitation of the current building, located right next to the building destroyed by the fire, included replacing much of the ceiling, cleaning and electrical work.

“We’ll let everyone know as soon as we do it,” Overacker said. “We're getting a lot of questions and I'm sorry we don't have anything concrete at this point.”

Overacker said the ReStore location will reopen in a smaller footprint at the State Route 414 location once necessary work is completed.

In the meantime, an online store offering larger items is open at Items must be picked up at the store located at 3412 State Route 414 in Corning.

What started the fire?

The cause of the fire has not been determined, authorities said. The fire broke out in the storage area of the store, destroying numerous items and causing smoke damage throughout the site.

The Corning Joint Fire District and the Corning City Fire Department responded to the fire.

ReStore held a sale last September to clear out items salvaged from the fire.

What are ReStore funds used for?

Sales of donated items help Habitat for Humanity partner with local families to build, rehabilitate and repair safe, affordable homes in local communities and around the world.

This spring, Steuben County Habitat for Humanity, with the help of local businesses and donors, broke ground on a new duplex located at 3453 and 3455 Hornby Road in the Town of Corning.

Habitat ReStores are independent reuse stores operated by local Habitat for Humanity organizations. ReStores accept donations and sell a constantly changing inventory of diverse, high-quality merchandise to the public at a fraction of the retail price, while diverting reusable household goods and building materials from landfills.

Donations to support restoration work are accepted at habitatcorning.org/restore.

What started the fire?

What are ReStore funds used for?

Lina Portman

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