Habitat officials initially vowed to rebuild the ReStore at the same location after it burnt to the ground in a Nov. 3, 2019 fire caused by an electrical short near the rear of the building. The Habitat ReStore has reopened in a temporary location at 2118 Werth Road until a final determination on the ReStore is made.

Executive Director Ted Fines said his board has considered several options for the ReStore, including working with a real estate agent to explore other properties in the city or surrounding townships, and putting the 400 W. Chisholm St. property up for sale. A for-sale sign has been erected at the Chisholm Street property.

Although people have expressed interest in the Chisholm Street property, Fines said Habitat has not received any formal offers. He said officials would consider any offers that are made.

“The process is somewhat cumbersome and slow at times, but I think it’s important for everyone to look at all of the options and consider them, and to look at what we can do and can’t do,” he said.

News Photo by Crystal Nelson Ted Fines, executive director for Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan, is pictured in his office on Wednesday.

Fines said the board also has to consider what they can build to survive another 100 years in the community.

Fines said the process has now come full-circle and he will meet with a couple of local contractors on Friday to discuss the cost of constructing a 10,000- to 15,000-square-foot building at the Chisholm Street location. He said he will present options to his board at its next meeting.

“My real goal is to break ground and be in a new facility by the end of 2021 — a year from now,” Fines said.

But Fines said it will be expensive, and officials will have to apply for grants. He said the coronavirus pandemic has also made fundraising hard.

Fines said the ReStore used to bring in $175,000 to $200,000 in revenue a year. The store’s bringing in about half that now.

“It’s been an interesting year, and all we can do is the best we can under the circumstances,” he said. “Even under normal circumstances, it would have been difficult to make these choices.”

Meanwhile, Fines said Habitat is expanding its territory to include Oscoda County, in addition to Alpena, Alcona, and Presque Isle counties. The organization’s geographic area will increase to over 6,630 square miles.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.