Dear Friend of Habitat,
For more than 30 years, Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity has worked alongside more than 125 families to build a place to call home. The ReStore has played an important role in that work. Every item donated, every sofa purchased, and every hour volunteered has helped bring home closer for local families. After careful evaluation and more than a year and a half of effort to stabilize operations and identify a new location, we have made the difficult decision to close the Fort Collins ReStore at the end of the year.
While the ReStore has served our community in meaningful ways for more than 25 years, it has not generated the level of net revenue needed to meaningfully advance Habitat’s mission in recent years. Despite the team’s hard work and innovation, changing retail conditions and increasing operating costs have made it difficult to sustain the store’s impact. We explored multiple relocation opportunities but were unable to identify a site that would support a financially feasible operation.
This was not a quick or easy decision. The ReStore has been a valued part of our organization, and we are deeply grateful for the volunteers, donors, shoppers, and staff who have made it meaningful over the years.
As we wind down operations, the store will stop ReStore truck pickups July 1, limit donation intake through the fall, and completely stop accepting item donations on November 1, and retail sales will conclude on or before December 1. For an updated timeline, please scroll to the bottom of this page.
Between now and then, we encourage you to continue supporting the ReStore through donations and purchases. Your engagement in these final months will help us maximize the store’s remaining impact.
While it is impossible to name everyone who has shaped the ReStore, the staff over the years should absolutely be recognized. Their commitment, creativity, and care for our mission and community have left a lasting mark on this organization. We are equally grateful to every employee, volunteer, donor, and shopper who has contributed to the ReStore’s success over the past 25 years. We are committed to supporting our ReStore team through this transition and are working closely with employees to provide stability and assistance in the months ahead.
To be clear, Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity is not in financial trouble. This decision reflects our responsibility to steward Habitat’s resources wisely and focus them where they can have the greatest impact– building homes. In the past 12 months, we completed and closed on 17 homes—more than ever before. We celebrated the completion of Harmony Cottages, now home to 48 families, and have begun construction in Bloom, a Hartford Homes community. The decision to close the ReStore is based solely on the unique challenges facing retail operations and our desire to steward resources responsibly.
Should conditions change and a financially sustainable opportunity emerge in the future, we would be open to revisiting the role a ReStore could play in our long-term strategy.
In the meantime, the ReStore model remains an important part of Habitat’s work across our region. We encourage supporters to continue shopping and donating at the Loveland ReStore, where their engagement will continue to generate impact for families throughout Northern Colorado.
We know this news may be disappointing. We share that sentiment. At the same time, we are confident in the future of this organization and the impact we will continue to deliver. Because of you, more families are opening the door to stability, opportunity, and a place to call home. Thank you for your continued partnership, prayer, and support.
With appreciation,
Kristin Candella
Executive Director and CEO
Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity
FAQs:
Why are you closing?
After evaluating operating costs, facility needs, and the long-term sustainability of brick-and-mortar stores, we determined that closing the ReStore is the most responsible decision to support Habitat’s mission moving forward. We are grateful to the customers, volunteers, and donors whose support has enabled the ReStore to serve the community and care for the environment for 25+ years.
When are you closing?
Our lease agreement runs through the end of the calendar year, with closure milestones to be shared in phases. We anticipate that the donation center will close November 1st, shopping will be closed late November, with permanent closure on or before December 1st.
Is Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity in financial trouble?
No. Habitat for Humanity’s affordable housing mission continues to go strong, with the expectation of construction activity on 14 homes this fiscal year. The decision to close the ReStore is based solely on the unique challenges facing retail operations and our desire to steward resources responsibly.
How can I continue to support Habitat?
Financial gifts, volunteer support, advocacy, and community partnerships remain critical to helping Fort Collins families achieve affordable homeownership. To learn more about how you can engage with our work, please visit our home page.
Can I continue to volunteer at the ReStore?
The ReStore will continue to host volunteer opportunities through November 1. Orientation sessions for new ReStore volunteers will close at the end of August. Interested volunteers should sign up online: fortcollinshabitat.org/volunteer/ or contact Trevor Lewis, Volunteer Manager, at tlewis@fortcollinshabitat.org to get started.
Where can I donate household items?
You can donate items to the Fort Collins ReStore through November 1st. After closure, please continue to support Habitat’s work in Northern Colorado by donating and shopping at the Loveland Habitat for Humanity ReStore: 5250 N Garfield Ave, Loveland, CO 80538 | 970-669-7343
Where can I donate my car?
Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity will continue to receive funds from locally donated cars, trucks, boats, and other vehicles through Habitat for Humanity International‘s “Cars for Homes” program. If you have a vehicle you would like to donate, please visit www.habitat.org/support/donate-your-car to get started — the process may provide a tax incentive, and funds raised from the resale of your car stay local to our community.
Could the ReStore reopen someday?
While there are currently no plans for a future ReStore location, we remain open to opportunities that could support the mission in a sustainable way.
Timeline:
Item Donation Updates:
If you wish to schedule a donation pickup, or donate items found below beyond the date listed, please contact Loveland Habitat for Humanity or Cheyenne Habitat for Humanity for assistance.
– Starting July 1, 2026: We will no longer accept any plumbing donations, ReStore truck pickups will discontinue.
– Starting September 1, 2026: We will no longer accept any building supplies or construction material donations.
– Starting October 1, 2026: We will no longer accept any garden/outdoor/yard donations.
– Starting November 1, 2026: We will no longer accept material donations of any kind.
