Habitat for Humanity NWT's ReStore, located at the city's solid waste facility, is shutting its doors for good on Saturday, but it's not bad news, according to the organization's executive director.
Alayna Ward told NNSL Media on Wednesday that talks of closing the location have been going on for some time and the board of directors made the final decision to do so this past May.
It doesn't seem to bother her all that much, considering Habitat for Humanity has also gotten more funding over the past few years as well, Ward added.
"We've been building at least two homes a year for the past three years, so we'll just continue focusing on that," she said. "It's a good news story."
Ward explained that a ReStore's goal is to funnel money into building more housing through its profits. ReStores operating in southern areas have more large-chain stores where they get donations, but in Yellowknife there is little access to that volume of donations.
Not that they haven't received any donations, she explained.
Ward added that she's grateful for the public's support over the years and donations from local builders and people.
"Unfortunately, it isn't enough to continue to run the operation and the ReStore was losing money," she said. "We're also sad it is closing but decided we could no longer continue with these challenges."
Ward said she has no idea what will happen to that building next. Once they're done with remediating the place, which she indicated should take a few months, it'll be up to the city to decide what to do with the building, she said.
In the meantime, anyone looking to do one last shop still has their chance Saturday afternoon. Volunteer Spencer Tracy has helped keep the ReStore afloat, but now that it's time to say goodbye, he's also looking to clear the place out.
That includes offloading all the inventory at the ReStore for free, he said.
Items such as extension cords, stereo speakers and other electrical goods are on the house. For bigger ticket items like sea cans, an Atco trailer or a mobile home, those are being sold through a silent auction.
Interested buyers can send an email to kapriver@gmail.com to place their bid, said Tracy.