A bond stronger than a dovetail joint

For ReStore shopper Mary and her family, the DIY approach—meaning “do it yourself," referring to creating or repairing an item without professional help—has been more than just a hobby or necessity. It's been a way to connect with each other, especially with the help of ReStore Chicago.

Mary’s DIY hobby started early in her marriage to her husband, Tony, when their house and office building needed repairs. Tony did the repairs himself and enjoyed it so much that he learned how to make toys for their son, Justin. He started with a rocking horse and graduated to bigger projects like a treehouse with a swing and sandbox. 

At that time, Mary was merely the “go get it” person. Tony would spearhead a project and tell her to get tools or materials. His asks soon became more involved, like cutting wood with certain saws, so Mary quickly learned a variety of skills. 

DIY roles have reversed over the years, and Tony has become Mary’s helper. Now both retired, Mary and Tony use DIY projects to keep them busy and connected as a family. 

Justin is much too old for rocking horses as an adult, but he still connects with the family through DIY projects. Upon moving into a new apartment, he asked Mary to make a coffee table with a special design in mind. Because the lumber yard was too expensive, Mary used mostly scrap wood from her previous projects. Scrap wood was cheap, got rid of clutter, and, because the pieces were all a little different, gave the project a unique look. Justin loved the table, and Mary loved seeing her hard work put to good use. 

Mary and Justin started to collaborate on more projects, like a dining table, an art piece, and a barn door for his closet. Justin would give his mother a design, and she would bring it to life. She told her friends about her excitement towards the new projects but also spoke of her anticipation of lumber expenses, as her scrap wood pile was running low. That’s when her friend suggested she visit ReStore Chicago North in the Sauganash neighborhood. 

Though Mary had donated financially to Habitat for Humanity Chicago and even volunteered on a West Pullman build site with Tony, she had never heard of ReStore Chicago. She was delighted to learn that the ReStore allowed people to donate and purchase gently-used home goods at an affordable price, all while supporting Habitat Chicago’s mission at the same time. It was a perfect match for Mary. 

At ReStore Chicago North, Mary first saw a variety of furniture and appliances, but the real prize was the collection of building materials in the back corner of the store. There was everything from studs to trim to plywood, but there were also tiles, carpeting, and other items you wouldn’t find at a typical resale store. And when she saw the prices of everything, she couldn’t believe how affordable it was. With money still in her wallet, Mary left with wood for her projects and a new supplier for her future DIY ideas. 

Explaining why she prefers to shop at the ReStore, Mary notes, “I go to the ReStore first before I go to the lumber yard. It's my first choice, because not only does it have variety, but it also has the right price.” 

ReStore Chicago allows Mary to put more energy and care into her projects for her family by removing the high costs of building materials. Justin now has a beautiful, one-of-a-kind dining table to host people at home, including his parents. But it’s much more than a handmade table—it’s a physical representation and reminder of how DIY has brought the family together.