Yakima Urology Associates "partners" with YVP Habitat and the ReStore

 Drs. Mark Uhlman, Jack Lovern, Ray Merrell, Norm Shively, and Dennis Gaskill have clearly reminded us that patience and trusting in the work of God is rewarded. In June, Yakima Valley Partners took a large step of faith and purchased a parcel of land for the development of a larger ReStore. We had no idea what would be the next step in accomplishing that vision. Just after we closed on the property at 21 West Mead Ave (or on Presson Lane off Mead)  Dr. Mark Uhlman of Yakima Urology Associates called to inquire as to our interest in a 100’ x 220’ steel building on 24^th Avenue across from the Yakima Athletic Club. Of course we were interested. From that point, things moved rapidly.

Rus McKinney and Mike Buehler of our Board of Directors stepped in and made things happen. David Picatti, our Board President, helped arrange for the removal of the building from 24^th Avenue. Mike McGuire of Systems West and his crew worked diligently to take down the building and deliver it to the ReStore’s future site.

In addition to donating the building, Yakima Urology Associates has donated funds to help cover costs of moving the donated building to the site of the future ReStore. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the doctors and staff at Yakima Urology. Now comes the efforts to reconstruct the donated building.

Press Release: June 2007

On June 1st, Yakima Valley Partners Executive Director Michael R. Nixon announced the purchase of a four acre property at 23 West Mead Avenue as the future site of the Habitat ReStore.

According to ReStore Manager Rich Kallenberger, “The ReStore has been blessed with success at the 202 West Mead location but with that success have come growing pains.”  “We have clearly run out of parking spaces and frequently have conflicts between serving our customers and welcoming our donors.”  Currently the ReStore experiences over 100 sales transactions per day during its’ three-day sales week. 

“We also have difficulty protecting our merchandise from the weather because it just isn’t possible to keep everything inside the 3600 square foot building.”

The ReStore staff has been conducting an active search for a larger location for two years but no suitable building in the desired geographic area became available.  “Being in the right location is essential for a retail operation; especially in an era of rising transportation costs.”  “You want every potential customer in the city to see your store as a viable shopping option”

Now the task ahead is to develop financing for the construction of a suitable store building on the site.  “I’m confident that if we apply the basic Habitat principles of building a simple, decent structure without unnecessary frills that we will be able to bring the ReStore operation into a new home.