The ReSource is taking a one-week break to give everyone a little time to relax. As you can see, Mike will still be available to open the store for urgent needs. So if you really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really must absolutely have that keyhole escutcheon next week, give him a call.

You may already know that Buffalo ReUse has enjoyed working with Americorps WNY’s ABLE Program and Americorps Recovery for this last year.  We already miss Matt & Micki.  We know that Rachel and Ben will be leaving later in 2010.  Much of what our Community Programs have accomplished would not be possible without their hard work.  Buffalo ReUse is looking for 2 more VERY MOTIVATED folks with a heart for the community. We’re now accepting packets for a ReSource Educator and a Green Space Coordinator under Americorps WNY’s Service Corp Program. This means you get paid by Americorps (which is like the Peace Corps except you stay local) via a stipend for one year; there is also an award to pay down your student loans once you complete your service.

Both positions are full-time and hard work.  Both positions focus on rebuilding sustainable neighborhoods and both report to the Director of Community Programs.  Together, they represent a renewed commitment to providing information and access to resources and an improved quality of life for our neighbors.
Share this opportunity with folks you’d highly recommend.  We need to fill these positions quickly as the start date is January.   To read the full job descriptions please click on their respective link.

The ReSource Educator– a Jack/Jane of all trades with a knack for teaching

Green Space Coordinator– an urban farmer with a knack for teaching

Incomplete applications will not be considered. To all applicants, please make sure your packet details your experience in the field and that each file of your packet contains your last name.  Impressive packets will receive follow up questions and a phone interview; top candidates must also have a second interview on-site and must complete an Americorps Orientation session.

An easy way to help out your friends and Buffalo ReUse is to grab a bundle of our holiday coupons to insert into your Seasons Greetings cards. It is perfect for the person working on a rehab or looking for building materials.  They’ll be surprised that our inventory includes brick, lumber, lighting, cabinets, plumbing, antiques and more.

We can give you as many coupons as you need.  They are available for pickup at The ReSource.  We can also give you a stack to include in the programs at your favorite church, Christmas pageant, concert or even for your coworkers’ stockings!  Please give us a call or stop in to pick up a bundle today.  716-885-4131

Black Friday is approaching and like most retailers we too hope to get our books in the black. We suspect that if you are the kind of folk who line up at 4am for deals on electronics, Elmo accessories and tube socks–we’re probably not on your shopping spree itinerary! However, if you did plan to shop at our used building materials store on Friday, November 27, 2009 we wanted to reward you with a very special discount of 27% off.
We also wanted to remind you that your used or surplus building materials, tools and appliances are worth a tax deduction which might help you get in the black too. Drop off or schedule a pickup of those materials today–contact havematerial {at} buffaloreuse(.)org
We’ll be decreasing our regular hours for the winter season. Starting December 1st, we’ll be open TUES-Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday from noon-4pm. To put it simply, we’ll be opening two hours later each day. And, finally, we wanted to announce our HOLIDAY CLOSING. The store and offices will close Dec24 and remain closed except by appointment through Tues, January 5th 2010. We’ll still be reachable via info {at} buffaloreuse(.)org so please let us know and we’ll do our best to meet your needs. We do hope to see you at our annual ReGifting Party mark your calendars for December 29th!

I have a dream….to put together a list of places that have objects from the ReSource in them. For example, I know that Parker Hertel Sweet Shop got their front door from us, and Sweetness_7 Cafe is chock-full of cool materials from Buffalo ReUse. I would LOVE to eventually make an online map of the businesses that have used us, and maybe (no promises) give each location a Certificate of ReUse to proudly display behind their counter/over their front door/what have you.

So if you know of a commercial place that has reused building material from the ReSource in it, please let me know!! We get very excited when we see our inventory being put to good use.

AND, for anyone who has bought something from our store that is now being used in your home, please share with us as well. Take a snapshot of the handiwork you’ve done, or the creative way you’ve reused those tiles or that window, and email it to rachel {at} buffaloreuse(.)org. We would like to fill the store with pictures and stories to inspire other Western New Yorkers!

This apron tub was bought and refinished by Bill & Melanie Wolski, and look how gorgeous it turned out. They also re-used spindles, a door, a mantelpiece, and several windows in their home. Click on the tub to see our collection of pictures from their beautiful house.

We rarely get to invite volunteers on salvage runs so don’t let this one pass you by!  IF you’re not busy Saturday and have a hunkering for some careful pillaging; join us.  Here’s the details.  We’re only entering properties that we’ve been awarded “Salvage Rights” this means someone gave us permission to access the property and reclaim useable materials.  We get in, get out and resecure the property.  We look for tubs, windows, lighting, flooring, architectural features etc and bring them back to The ReSOURCE.

It’s a very good idea to bring a headlamp or a flashlight.  If you have a Buffalo ReUse tshirt or sweatshirt, please wear it so we look like we’re on the same crew (reminder: if your BR shirt isn’t dirty–you’re not wearing it right!) Wear boots or heavy soled shoes and long sleeves or layers and maybe a hat or cap because it gets dusty in vacant houses. If you have work gloves, bring them.  You do not need to bring any tools.  You can also bring dried fish, your rum flask, and some limes to deter scurvy, but we’ll probably tease you.

Be punctual! The crew will leave from The ReSOURCE, Saturday morning at 9am so you need to be here so we can outfit you with a hardhat and gloves.

If you’re available Sunday, at 10am, we’ll be working on the rear addition–mixing & pouring lots of concrete and building the frame.  If it’s raining, we’ll do some home improvement type tasks at Eaton House.

Peter Riphahn took the ReUse chopper up for a spin the other day. Here’s his flyover pic of our “field of tubs”.

Tubs, toilets and sinks are all 25% off this week, until Friday. Come on down!

Then, Friday, Saturday and Sunday ALL LIGHTING will be 25% off.

Marble is 25% off during October!  Click on the photos to see more of the inventory.

Part Nineof a Series

This series of informational blog posts come from a document Mike,Caesandra and Kevin created to help orient new Buffalo ReUse board members to our mission,vision,values and the actual history of our organization. Earlier parts: One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight

We took our first house down on Lombard Street in the early spring of 2007. At this stage in Buffalo ReUse’s creation, we had very little money. We had bills to pay. We took a deep breath and opened for business. We were first open only on Sundays from 11 to 4. On our very first day of sales, we took in something like $1,200, looked at each other and said “This just might work out!” Many of our early customers are still with us today.

We remained open on Sundays for the rest of 2007. During that time, we were building our demolition crew, demolishing houses and we found our current location at 298 Northampton Street in the Cold Spring/Masten neighborhood of Buffalo’s central city.

We moved the store and all its contents in the Fall of 2007 from downtown to Northampton Street, changed our slightly enlarged hours to Saturday and found conditions for retailing much improved. We started with the current back door as our front door, begin acquiring pallet racks and just started loading in the materials. As the months went by and we needed more space, we began renting more of the building. We finally moved into the front of the building in the early summer of 2008. We now occupy the entire building, with several entrances on Northampton Street and our yard/parking lot on the side.
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Part Eight of a Series

This series of informational blog posts come from a document Mike,Caesandra and Kevin created to help orient new Buffalo ReUse board members to our mission,vision,values and the actual history of our organization. Earlier parts: One Two Three Four Five Six Seven

The ReSource is Access. It is an open door to affordable, high quality building materials and a support system for home owners. Buffalo ReUse’s ReSource is our retail destination for high quality building materials, environmental education and community activism. The store is located in Buffalo’s midtown, at 298 Northampton Street. It is nestled right on the border of the Masten Park & Cold Spring neighborhoods. It is just around the corner from Canisius College, Art Space, the Merriweather Library and the newly restored Packard Building Apartments.

As part of our mission aimed at regenerating neighborhoods and empowering communities, the ReSource functions as our largest point of contact with the public. We serve predominantly an East Side customer base, but attract people from all over WNY and nearby Ontario.

All day long, we sell high-quality building materials at very low prices–including many items which are rare or one-of-a-kind. Our prices and materials help people at all income levels stabilize and improve their homes. We also spend a great deal of time engaging in lively conversations with everyone who calls on the phone or comes into the store. We’re constantly connecting customers and local residents with Buffalo ReUse community programs, with each other, and with other resources they need and with government services.
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Part Four of a Series

This series of informational blog posts come from a document Mike,Caesandra and Kevin created to help orient new Buffalo ReUse board members to our mission,vision,values and the actual history of our organization. Earlier parts: One Two Three

Green Demolition Defined

Yes, we take down houses, and since our inception we’ve demolished close to 35 structures, including houses, as large as 9,000 square feet, barns, garages and commercial buildings. We’ve implemented a technique, created by David Bennink of ReUse Consulting, called hybrid deconstruction. This type of demolition is also better known as “green demolition”.

Incorporating a 10,000-pound all-terrain forklift to complement skilled and unskilled human labor, has proved to be more efficient, cost-effective, and economically practical approach to demolition that is far superior to hand deconstruction. The focus of our demolition, and what separates our operation from the others doing work in the City of Buffalo, is our focus on ReUse and Recycling. We can effectively reclaim up to 50% of the tonnage of a house that would have otherwise been discarded. The material ends up at the ReSource, and the sales of material supports our mission.
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