Bulk Trash Pickups

The City of Buffalo has just released their 2010 schedule for the bulk trash pickups and its dated to start April 11th.  However, we to encourage you to give us a call at the ReSOURCE 716-882-2800 to schedule a pick up for the reuseable materials like cabinets, doors, toilets, sinks and stuff like that.  Get your tax deduction! Check our website for a complete list of items we’ll pickup.  (Can you help us come up with a JINGLE or viral video??)

Council District
South – April 11th
Delaware – April 18th
Lovejoy – April 25th
North – May 2nd
Niagara – May 9th
Ellicott – May 16th
Masten – May 23rd
Fillmore – June 6th
University – June 13th

Spring Cleaning

 Over the next few weeks leading into spring you will be noticing some changes around the store.  Some minor, some major.  When people hear the word change, they tend to get timid, and say no we can’t.  I say yes we can.

That being said we will be rearranging some things throughout the ReSOURCE as well as making it simpler to navigate throughout and find what you are looking for, and even perhaps something you just cannot resist.  Here are two concepts that I have been working on and am more than willing to continue to work on with your opinions in mind.

I will be posting a concept for our theater over the weekend!  I am excited to share what we have come up with to serve our public better.

Winter Break

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.

2 Americorps Job Openings

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.

Festive Inserts

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

We’re 27% NUTS!

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!

Have YOU ReUsed??

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.

Calling ALL PIRATE-TYPES

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.

Flyover

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.

Short History of the ReSource

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.

In the Winter of 2007-08, we expanded hours to include weekdays, mostly because Kevin’s knees could no longer take the rigors of demolition and it was the opportune time to assign him full time to the ReSource (which was only just being named).

During 2008 we began building staff – Cheryl Mingo was already an employee, working with the Summer Youth program. Bernard Smith, a close-by neighbor on Eaton Street, began volunteering some of his time and we got to know him well. Peter Riphahn also volunteered and when we were ready for an assistant manager, he was ready for us. Ian MacDonald had been contributing up to 24 hours a week as a volunteer and helped us immeasurably with organizing our hardware area and with general merchandising and organizational challenges. The truck and field crews are well integrated into our efforts.

Northampton Street has turned out to be a great place for our store. It’s located right in the middle of the city, near the expressway, just off the Jefferson Avenue commercial strip and fairly close to Main Street. At the same time, it’s in a residential neighborhood. We’ve gotten to know many of our neighbors, who’ve become strong supporters, and we have a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact in a struggling but still lively neighborhood. After all, this is at the heart of what Buffalo ReUse is all about, to make a difference in the lives of our fellow citizens. It’s not about houses and building materials, it’s about people.

Our efforts at the ReSource, combined with the intention and focus of our BAR Program, are bringing dramatic changes to our target neighborhood, and we’re enthusiastic about our future here in Cold Spring. The BAR Program is further described below, but briefly, our collaborations with other grassroots organizations and hordes of volunteers to improve our immediate surrounding streets have resulted in our neighbors improving their properties. Our neighborhood has already begun changing because neighbors see we’re investing in it and they’re making their own personal investments.

Vision and Mission of the ReSource:
We’re steadily making the ReSource and it’s rambling building complex into a true destination. It may sound a bit grandiose to say it’s turning into an educational and entertaining showplace of green technology, creativity and community service, but honestly that’s our vision for the place.  Imagine green roofs and green walls that demonstrate energy efficiency; on-demand hot water, demonstrations of green building, and workshops on reglazing and weather sealing your house to support homeowners in cutting their energy costs; art exhibitions and a museum of historical artifacts to lure not only the inovative, but also the curious; theatrical staircases, a community bulletin board, and a craft gallery to showcase the artists and changemakers in our neighborhood; solar panels, a fleet of vehicles powered by biodiesel, and a demonstration windmill to show the potential of alternative energy.  As Captain Kangaroo said best, “there’s so much to do, these things are just a few.”  There are numerous grant opportunities, that when combined with the energy of volunteers, can create endless opportunities for community education, art appreciation, and fun. 

What you get when you open a store like this is a gathering of people who are frugal, creative, poor (and not-so-poor), hardworking, dissatisfied with the way things are – good citzens, very engaged. You open the doors and they come in a steady stream. You get calls all day long from people with questions about recycling, building and repair, green demolition, city real estate, you name it.

We do them a major disservice if all we do is sell cheap building materials. They’re all looking for answers to the daily challenges they face. Most of them have a strong desire to be powerful in the sense of having more influence and control over their lives and their community’s health and well being. Many of them are steadily but too often ineffectively working on these challenges, without much help. Some of them are working themselves ragged to take on issues of violence, wasted lives, imprisonment, addiction, substandard housing, indifferent or abusive government, you name it.

So, the ReSource needs to step up and help out. Think of Cassie Wilson, who saw immediately that we could help in quite a number of ways in her persistent and creative efforts to give women economic power and self-sufficiency. Or Keith James, who’s already doing a number of creative things to make a difference and sees the opportunity to join up with like-minded people on bigger issues. Or our own Michele Johnson, who has a big loving vision for the people of Buffalo and needs all the help she can get.

The ReSource (and Eaton Street) is the physical place that can hold and support those types of dreams and struggles and help them take a real form in the real world.