Iowa City ReStore (Habitat for Humanity) - Iowa City, Iowa

Jane M.

Update since my last review on this site for Restore. Since I first went there, I’ve bought two really nice recliners with one of them being a power recliner, some light fixtures, a beautiful has-to-be new bathroom sink for $15, a great print by Andrew Wyeth in a wonderful frame for eight dollars and almost too many other things to remember. Anymore if I need anything like hardware or furniture or even floor tile or wood, they have abundance of it there.

alex M.

They open late and close early. I've wasted time and money driving here for them to not be open. Someone needs to be held accountable...

Sam51 F.

I like to shop there, but prices went up in the last year, where most of the stuff doesn't worth being perched as used items. I understand that everything went up everywhere, but the whole idea of this store is buying cheap used stuff, not to pay closer price to new items. And don't forget everything is donated to the store for free.
Also, the idea of not being able to open or test something such as paint and some items is not fair because it's not right for a customer to pay for it and then find out it's not working or missing parts, or pay good chunk for used paint than find out it's bad or dryed paint. If you don't want the customer opening the old paint counters, then check them previously before placing them for sale. Another example is tiles. They were cheaper but now it's a dollar for a square foot, which is too much for basic tiles where you can buy it new for closer price and you can return it if you change your mind if purchasing new, and not to forget most of the times most of tiles are small quantity so you are limited where you have to go and buy it new if you get short.
Anyway, my point is, prices are too high for used stuff that was donated for free, and it was more worth it before where you can go in and buy cheap stuff as the whole idea was about, and not to pay for something that you can't test or make sure it's going bad before buying it and can't return it.

April L.

Be careful! No returns or even store credit!

Dude behind the counter was like no one has ever lied about something working...sorry dude they have.
My dad bought a very good looking dryer that didn't work.

If you dont check that appliances/electronics work, I'd say letting them return it is fair.
The location in my town has a 30 day return policy. I'll just stick to that one.

That's really too bad, the people who shop 2nd hand are not only helping environmentally but also usually really can use that lower price tag.

Nick G.

Be careful what you buy here…..bought a set of 4 dining table chairs a few months back, only to get them home and find out that 3 of the 4 had broken tension adjustment knobs for the rocker springs, and these were not repairable! $56 gone, thankfully I was able to give them away, despite the fact that they should’ve been thrown in the trash in the first place. The cashier lady is unfriendly, and you still have to talk to her through plexiglass….it’s 2024!

Susan J.

As usual my most recent visit to Restore was a good experience. They have good prices and lots of variety. You never know what you will find and that's part of what I enjoy. This unpredictability can be frustrating, however, because they may not have what you want. Staff there are great. They seem to be less well stocked since pandemic so I only gave them 4 stars. Hope people start donating again.

C J.

I've been to 6 locations so far. Each unique in their own way. This location doesn't have as many appliances and furniture isn't that great compared to the others.

It does have plenty of :
- light fixtures in many assortments
- Ceiling fans
- Book cases
- wall art
- sinks, tubs, vanities, faucets

They posted their sticker sales on the wall to make it easier to know what items are on sale by color. This makes it super easy.

Danielle O.

We always stop by here if we need to drop things off at the adjacent recycling center. They carry furniture, light fixtures, bathroom sinks and toilets, hardware, wood, and more. There are usually a few decorative items as well, and sometimes a bulk amount of things like paint brushes or light bulbs. We don't usually buy anything because we are not fixer-uppers, and we don't have a vehicle large enough to haul away most furniture, but it is a fun place to browse. This a great non-profit that I am happy to support when we do find something to buy. Last year we bought our rain barrel here since the price was lower than all the other area stores. Employees are helpful. Just enough parking.