HELLERTOWN, Pa. – A nonprofit organization, known for constructing and renovating homes for families in need, is expanding operations with a new retail store at a prominent property in Northampton County.
Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, which “works to build simple, decent homes for hardworking, disadvantaged families in the Lehigh Valley,” in April purchased the former Neighbors Home & Garden Center property at 38 Main St. in Hellertown with plans to operate a second ReStore at the site, according to Gina Loiacono, the nonprofit’s community engagement and grants manager.
ReStores accept donations and sell housewares, home decor and building supplies to the public at a fraction of their retail prices.
Proceeds help build strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter in local communities and around the world – “a good deal for you, your community and the environment,” according to the ReStore website.
Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley opened its first ReStore in 2013 at the former Circuit City electronics store on Grape Street in Whitehall Township, and that ReStore will continue operating as normal as the Hellertown location gets off the ground.
Property upgrades are underway in Hellertown and will advance over the next several months as the nonprofit’s team works toward a fall opening of the new ReStore, Loiacono said.
Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley recently purchased the former Neighbors Home & Garden Center property at 38 Main St. in Hellertown with plans to operate a second ReStore at the site. Extensive renovations are planned.
Building improvements will include new insulation, a restained facade, refurbished covered porch, new HVAC system and fresh interior paint, among other upgrades.
Workers are also cleaning up the former outdoor garden area and adding new landscaping to “beautify the property and give it nice curb appeal,” Loiacono said.
“Right now, we’re just starting the renovation process on this property, and it’s a very large property,” Loiacono said.
“We own the actual retail building, comprising the main, L-shaped structure, as well as the farmhouse near the Main Street entrance, which will serve as additional office space. Also, the barn on the property will initially serve as storage space, but we hope to eventually make that part of the ReStore’s retail space, carrying items like outdoor furniture and decor to honor the legacy of Neighbors while still contributing to our mission.”
A historic stone farmhouse will serve as office space for Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley at the nonprofit’s forthcoming ReStore location on Main Street in Hellertown.
Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley is one of 1,500 U.S. affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, a global organization that has provided housing for more than 2 million people in communities in America and around the world.
Founded in 1989, Habitat Lehigh Valley brings together people from all walks of life to help others.
It’s made up of a volunteer board of directors, a dedicated paid staff, volunteer leadership committees, hundreds of homebuilding volunteers and parents and children working together to secure homeownership for families who are in need of affordable, decent housing.
The organization also partners with local businesses, individuals and faith-based groups to build and renovate housing for families in need in our community.
“Our objective is to provide our families with a decent home in a safe neighborhood,” a message on Habitat Lehigh Valley’s website reads. “Additionally, our families help to revitalize neighborhoods and increase the local tax base.”
The Habitat mission is “to offer families in need a hand up, not a hand out, and to walk alongside them as they realize the dream of home ownership.”
Each Habitat family contributes 250 hours of sweat equity to assist in constructing their home and the homes of their neighbors. Once they move into their residence, they make monthly mortgage payments.
“Since most of our families are new to home ownership, HLV stays in contact with them, guiding them and providing support to ensure their successful transition to home ownership,” the mission statement says.
Habitat Lehigh Valley’s forthcoming expansion is primarily driven by an increasing need for its services in the community.
Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley recently purchased the former Neighbors Home & Garden Center property at 38 Main St. in Hellertown with plans to operate a second ReStore at the site. Extensive renovations are planned.
Rising housing costs have forced many low- to moderate-income families into a “situation where they’re choosing between rent or food on the table,” Loiacono said.
Habitat Lehigh Valley’s unique homeownership program allows hardworking families to build and buy a home with 0%-interest mortgage after completing 250 sweat equity hours.
“As we see the affordable housing crisis continue to reach epidemic levels, we’re in a position where we need to grow as far as the income coming into the organization so we can continue to build more properties and also really boost up our critical home repair program,” Loiacono said.
“We want people to have that stability and self-reliance of being a homeowner. That’s a huge part of our mission. As far as our home repair program, that really helps existing homeowners with aging in place, security and weatherization of their properties – such as new roofs, doors and windows. Over the past year, we’ve helped nearly 100 clients, including elderly individuals, veterans and individuals with disabilities, with the upkeep of their properties, particularly in areas of low income where they can’t afford home maintenance.”
Since Habitat Lehigh Valley’s founding in 1989, the organization has built 138 homes for individuals and families in need.
Four homes in south Bethlehem are currently under construction, Loiacono said.
Proceeds from the new Hellertown ReStore will help fund construction costs for future homes along with the nonprofit’s critical home repair program.
It also will allow for more donations of new and gently used items, including furniture, lamps, artwork, cabinets, sinks, paint and appliances, to come in from a broader geographical area.
A barn on the former Neighbors Home & Garden Center property on Main Street in Hellertown will initially serve as storage space for Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley’s forthcoming ReStore. The nonprofit’s leadership team hopes to eventually make the structure part of the ReStore’s retail space, carrying items like outdoor furniture and decor.
“We’ll now be able to reach more people and be more accessible to individuals in different parts of the Lehigh Valley,” Loiacono said.
“And our customer base is pretty varied. We’re not only a popular place for people looking for furniture and home decor, we’re also a top spot for DIY-ers and contractors because we carry a ton of building supplies as well. We always joke that our ReStore carries everything from teacups to toilets because we have small and big items. We truly have a little of everything. It’s like a treasure hunt.”
In searching for a new ReStore location, Habitat Lehigh Valley’s leadership team originally considered leasing a space, but it ultimately decided on buying property as that made more financial sense.
“In terms of leasing versus renting, it would’ve cost more to lease a location,” Loiacono said. “And in purchasing a property, we also could completely make it our own. So, the benefits of purchasing completely outweighed those of leasing.”
The Hellertown ReStore will occupy the property that was previously home to Neighbors, a business offering plants, lawn and garden supplies, patio furniture, outdoor power equipment and more, which closed in 2020.
The home and garden center was a 30-year-old borough staple, originally operating as Hellertown Agway.
Individuals can follow the new ReStore’s progress by following Habitat Lehigh Valley’s pages on and , Loiacono said.
They also can continue patronizing the Whitehall ReStore, which is open for shopping 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Donations are accepted 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Also, Habitat Lehigh Valley’s nearly 2-year-old pop-up ReStore at the South Mall in Salisbury Township recently closed as the organization prepares to open its full-service location in Hellertown.
“That location was originally to be used as just storage, and then we turned it into a pop-up shop with semi-regular hours,” Loiacono said of the South Mall location. “We’re very excited to expand with a new, full-time location in Hellertown.”