A neighbor tipped me off to a deal at Buffalo ReUse the other day, an incredible price on plywood - $8/sheet. So I stopped over to the store at 298 Northampton Street and stocked up for a number of projects.
Kevin Hayes, the store manager, showed me his new business cards that had just been delivered.
If you haven't stopped by and checked out the deals you should before you head off to any of the traditional retail outlets for building products. I spotted this amazing laundry tub out back.
I had a chance to talk with these two ReUse customers who are opening a vegetarian restuarant on Delaware Avenue in the spot that used to be one of my favorite local bars, Prespa. Here, they're picking out some reused shelf brackets for their new business.
Kevin reminded me that in a few short weeks, Buffalo ReUse will be hosting the 2008 Great Lakes ReUse Conference. Youngstown, OH Mayor Jay Willams will be one of the keynote speakers. I first mentioned Jay Williams - Visiting Youngstown - in a series of posts last year. This should be an amazing event.
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6 comments:
I stopped by Bflo Reuse a few weeks ago and I was very impressed with the number of materials they were able to salvage. I will look to them when I purchase a house and restore it.
This is the first time I visited the fix buffalo today. The intentions are commendable but the problem in the city is the Democrat Party. The city has been controlled by the Democrats since 1964 (Yes Jimmy Griffin was a Democrat). Until there is another party in the city of Buffalo to challenge the status quo, Buffalo will always suffer.
I think re-use is Great for yuppies who think their getting a deal and helping the community. As a carpenter I thought the prices were ridiculous and wondered how a project like this could continue without grants.
We do love yuppies and neighbors alike and both help the community when they purchase materials that would otherwise end up in the landfill!
Pricing is something we always work to make fair based on the items condition, rarity and practicality. Single pane windows are as low as $5 and we have hundreds. The few stained glass pieces we have are a few hundred dollars each because they are rare. Many of the items in the store are one-of-a-kind; we cannot order more molding or spindles or mantels like the ones in the store.
We constantly investigate and compare our prices to home stores, manufacturer's websites and circulars. If a price is too high, you can always speak with Kevin, the store manager and/or show him your example of a lower priced item. We frequently have sales and give out coupons as well.
I hope you'll come back and find something you can use.
Wow, I was actually amazed at the deals I found at the Reuse store. The wood too is of much higher quality than most in the chains, so it might depend on if you doing high quality work or not.
Dave, keep up the good work....btw have you gotten those CM's to close those streets yet. What a good idea. Invite them to talk with Jay Williams when he comes. Later.
The thing about ReUse is they have to mark up what they know to be antiques. If they do not antique dealers undercut them and resell the stuff higher. Anything that is marked up at ReUse is still cheaper than an antique shop. 95% of the stuff is very inexpensive. And it is to help a good cause.
Michael Gainer of ReUse has allowed us to get the foundation stones of old houses to use in gardening. In addition he has supplied brick for walkways and wood for garden fences and boxes. The community gardens popping up around the Cold Springs neighborhood of the East Side are very impressive if you have not seen them. The effect of ReUse is most evident in the good will and beautification that these communtiy gardens create.
If people volunteer at the store they can get a significant discount on materials. It is afterall a not-for-profit organization and I have found they are happy enough to allow a volunteer a few planks or a couple pieces of hardware depending on their needs. I say to the person who believes the prices are too high volunteer on the weekends and see what they are really about. I think you will be impressed with their ideology. Or you could even just drop off any good materials that you find in your basement or the side of the road. Every little bit helps and it is recycling which is always good.
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