Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Atlanta: How to Donate, Shop, and Volunteer

If you live in Atlanta and want to support affordable housing while keeping usable items out of landfills, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore is one of the most practical local options. These stores are donation-based home improvement and resale shops that directly support Habitat’s work building and repairing homes in the metro area.

This guide focuses on how ReStores work specifically in and around Atlanta, how to donate items, how to shop smart, and ways to volunteer.

What Is a Habitat for Humanity ReStore?

A Habitat ReStore is a nonprofit retail store that sells new and gently used:

• Furniture
• Appliances
• Building materials
• Home décor and housewares
• Lighting and fixtures
• Cabinets and countertops

Items are donated by individuals, contractors, businesses, and property managers. The ReStore resells them at discounted prices, and proceeds help fund Habitat for Humanity’s housing programs in the region.

For Atlanta residents, that usually means supporting:

• New home construction for qualifying families
• Critical home repairs, often for seniors or low-income homeowners
• Neighborhood revitalization projects in Metro Atlanta communities

ReStores are open to the public—you do not need to qualify for Habitat services to shop there.

ReStore Locations Serving the Atlanta Area

Several Habitat for Humanity affiliates operate ReStores that serve Atlanta and the surrounding metro area. Addresses and hours can change, so it’s always wise to call ahead, but here are some longstanding locations Atlantans often use:

Commonly Used Metro Atlanta ReStore Locations

Because Habitat affiliates are separate organizations, the Atlanta metro doesn’t have just one “Habitat ReStore Atlanta”, but multiple stores run by different local Habitat offices. When you search for a location, check that it’s convenient to where you live or work.

Tip: When planning a donation or shopping trip, confirm:

• Current hours of operation
• Donation drop-off times (often earlier than store closing)
• Whether they have pickup service in your ZIP code

How Shopping at ReStore Works in Atlanta

Who Can Shop?

Anyone can shop at a Habitat ReStore. You don’t need to be a volunteer or Habitat homeowner. If you’re:

• Furnishing an apartment in Midtown or Buckhead
• Updating a home in East Atlanta, West End, or Kirkwood
• Doing DIY work on an older house in College Park or Decatur

ReStore can be a budget-friendly alternative to traditional big-box stores.

What You’ll Typically Find

Inventory changes daily, but common items in Atlanta-area ReStores include:

• Furniture: Sofas, chairs, tables, desks, bed frames, dressers
• Appliances: Refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, microwaves, washers and dryers (often used, sometimes new surplus)
• Building Materials: Doors, windows, lumber, tile, flooring, insulation
• Cabinets & Countertops: Kitchen and bath cabinets, sometimes from remodels or overstock
• Lighting & Electrical: Light fixtures, ceiling fans, some electrical supplies
• Plumbing Fixtures: Sinks, toilets, faucets, tubs (varies by store)
• Home Décor: Rugs, wall art, mirrors, housewares

Because ReStores in Atlanta receive donations from local contractors, hotels, property management companies, and residents, you may also find:

• Surplus materials from new developments
• Gently used hotel furniture from Buckhead or Downtown renovations
• Multi-unit cabinet sets from multifamily remodels

How Pricing Usually Works

Prices are set by each store, but you can generally expect:

• Lower prices than traditional retail (often significantly lower for used items)
• Occasionally discounts on certain color tags or categories
• Periodic clearance sales when inventory is heavy

It’s common for Atlantans to use ReStores to stretch renovation or furnishing budgets, especially for:

• Rental units and investment properties
• Student apartments near Georgia State or Georgia Tech
• First apartments or starter homes

Because items are one-of-a-kind donations, if you see something you truly need and the price fits your budget, it may not be there if you come back later.

Donating to Habitat ReStore in Atlanta

Donating to a ReStore in the Atlanta area is a way to:

• Support local affordable housing efforts
• Keep usable items out of local landfills
• Free up space when moving, downsizing, or renovating

What Items Are Generally Accepted

Each store sets its own guidelines, but Atlanta ReStores commonly accept:

• Furniture: Clean, usable sofas, chairs, tables, bedroom sets
• Appliances: Working, recent-model refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, washers, dryers
• Cabinets & Countertops: Sets removed intact during remodels
• Building Materials: Unused or gently used lumber, doors, windows, trim, tile, flooring
• Lighting: Ceiling fans, light fixtures in good condition
• Plumbing Fixtures: Sinks, toilets (often newer/low-flow), faucets, tubs
• Tools & Hardware: Power tools, hand tools, hardware (in usable condition)
• Home Décor: Rugs, framed artwork, mirrors, tableware

Items usually need to be in good, sellable condition—clean, with all parts, and no major damage.

Items Commonly Not Accepted

Again, policies vary, but many Atlanta ReStores typically do not accept:

• Mattresses and box springs
• Cribs or certain children’s items that may not meet current safety standards
• Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, solvents, etc.)
• Broken, heavily stained, or severely damaged items
• Older, non-working appliances
• Very outdated building materials that are unlikely to sell

It’s best to call ahead and describe what you want to donate. Staff can tell you:

• Whether your items are suitable
• Whether they prefer drop-off or can offer pickup

Drop-Off vs. Pickup in the Atlanta Area

1. Drop-Off Donations
You can usually bring items directly to the ReStore during donation hours. This works best if:

• You have a vehicle large enough to transport items
• You live reasonably close to a location (for example, in-town or near a suburban ReStore)

When you arrive, staff or volunteers often help unload and provide a donation receipt for your records.

2. Free or Low-Cost Pickup

Many ReStores serving metro Atlanta offer pickup for larger items, especially:

• Large furniture
• Full cabinet sets
• Certain large appliances

Important notes for Atlanta donors:

• Pickup coverage often depends on your ZIP code’s distance from the store.
• Schedules can fill up quickly, especially during peak moving seasons (spring and summer, or around local college move-out dates).
• Some stores may ask you to email photos of the items first.

If you live in a city neighborhood (Grant Park, West Midtown, Virginia-Highland, etc.), make sure:

• Items are easily accessible—stairs, tight hallways, and street parking can affect pickups.
• The driver will be able to park safely, especially on busy or narrow streets.

Volunteering at Habitat ReStore in Atlanta

ReStore volunteering is a popular way for Atlantans to support Habitat without doing construction.

What Volunteers Typically Do

Volunteer roles at ReStores often include:

• Customer service: Greeting shoppers, answering questions
• Merchandising: Organizing shelves, arranging furniture, staging showroom areas
• Warehouse tasks: Sorting, cleaning, and preparing donations for the sales floor
• Receiving donations: Helping unload vehicles and assessing donations
• Light repairs or testing: Checking basic functionality of items (where trained and appropriate)

Volunteers may be individuals, corporate groups, school groups, or faith communities.

Who Can Volunteer?

Atlanta-area ReStores usually welcome:

• Adults 18+
• Teens, often with adult supervision or a signed parental waiver (age requirements depend on the store)
• Groups, such as:
  • Corporate teams from local employers
  • University groups (Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory, etc.)
  • Faith-based groups from area congregations

If you’re new to volunteering in Atlanta, starting at a ReStore can be a good option because:

• Tasks are often indoors and weather-independent
• You don’t need construction experience
• Schedules may include weekdays and some Saturdays

You’ll typically need to:

• Register in advance
• Complete a short orientation or training
• Wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing for lifting or moving items

How ReStores Support Affordable Housing in Atlanta

When you shop, donate, or volunteer at a ReStore in or near Atlanta, you help support local housing programs run by Habitat affiliates, such as:

• New home builds in neighborhoods across Metro Atlanta
• Home repair programs that help low-income homeowners, seniors, and veterans remain safely in their homes
• Community projects like neighborhood improvements, depending on the affiliate’s focus

Funds from ReStore sales help offset construction costs, allowing Habitat to:

• Serve more families over time
• Stretch donations of cash and materials farther
• Offer more sustainable, long-term support to local communities

For Atlantans, that means your old dining table or unused doors could become part of a funding stream that helps build or repair homes in nearby neighborhoods.

Tips for Atlantans Using Habitat ReStore

For Shoppers

• Go often: Inventory changes quickly, especially near large developments or remodeling corridors like Midtown, Buckhead, and West Midtown.
• Bring measurements: If you’re shopping for cabinets, doors, or appliances for an older Atlanta bungalow or townhome, measure carefully—sizes vary by era and builder.
• Plan transportation: Many ReStores can hold items for a limited time, but you may need a truck or van, especially for big furniture and building materials.
• Check electrical items: If allowed, ask if items can be tested before you buy.

For Donors

• Be honest about condition: If something is broken beyond basic repair, ReStore may not be able to accept it.
• Group items from remodels: Full kitchen cabinet sets and bundles of surplus materials tend to be more useful than mismatched single items.
• Schedule pickups early: Especially if you’re moving out of an Atlanta apartment or selling a house with a tight closing date.
• Label items clearly: If an item has special features or missing parts, let staff know.

For Volunteers

• Choose a convenient location: Atlanta traffic can be unpredictable; pick a ReStore that fits your normal commute or weekend pattern.
• Wear appropriate clothing: You may be lifting, moving, or cleaning items.
• Ask about group projects: Many companies and organizations in Atlanta incorporate ReStore volunteer days into their community engagement efforts.

Finding the Right ReStore for You in Atlanta

Because the Atlanta region is served by multiple Habitat for Humanity affiliates, your next steps are usually:

1. Identify the ReStore that’s closest to where you live, work, or plan to donate from.
2. Call or check current information for:
   • Address and hours
   • Donation acceptance guidelines
   • Drop-off and pickup options
   • Volunteer opportunities and requirements

Whether you’re a Midtown renter furnishing your first place, a homeowner remodeling in East Atlanta, or a company organizing a volunteer day, Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the Atlanta area offer a practical way to save money, reduce waste, and support affordable housing locally.