'This Old House' features EcoBuilding Bargains
Date: 5/1/2012
April 30, 2012By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comSPRINGFIELD — For EcoBuilding Bargains, there couldn't be a better time for lightening to strike twice.
The non-profit recycled home building store — formerly known as The ReStore — is beginning the first building season in its new home at 83 Warwick St. and is getting a publicity boost in the form of its second appearance on the PBS hit show "This Old House."
EcoBuilding Bargains is deconstructing a 125 year-old home in Cambridge that will be one of the two renovation jobs featured on the show's new series that debuts in October. Five years ago, the staff had received similar attention from the show for disassembling another house.
Kevin O' Connor, the show's host, said, "It's very rare we tell the same story twice."
O'Connor and his crew were at EcoBuilding Bargains on April 26 shooting footage for the series.
"Telling a story is easy," O'Connor said. "You have the hard part. You pulled it off."
All of the materials taken from the Cambridge home will be sold in Springfield.
O'Connor made his remarks to the EcoBuilding Bargains staff, board members, donors and others.
Majercak asked the audience to "celebrate our brush with fame" and said he was thrilled to be on "This Old House" again.
O'Connor said the idea of using used materials "has caught on."
There have been many changes made to the non-profit since O'Connor was there last. Besides moving into a larger, more energy efficient building, EcoBuilding Bargains Executive Director John Majercak pointed out they've expanded their product line.
The store carries a full line of energy-efficient light bulbs, recycled latex paint, garden items such as composters and rain barrels, hardware items and gardening supplies.
The larger quarters allow customers to see the used items such as bathroom fixtures, windows, doors, and even antique radiators, he added.
Majercak said that the used fixtures cost about one-third of new.
"We try to make it affordable and easy for people to fix up their homes and go green," he said.
Besides a variety of more standard items, the store has some interesting one of a kind finds such as cherry paneled office.
The store is always looking for donations of doors, windows, kitchen cabinets, lighting fixtures and other items. Donors can get a free pick-up of material and may be eligible for a tax deduction.
"When homeowners choose deconstruction over demolition, they not only save thousands of tons of materials from the landfill, they also receive a tax benefit and are helping their community by providing affordable building materials to others," he said.
Since opening the new store last November, Majercak told Reminder Publications there has been double the traffic into the store and double the transactions and sales. EcoBuilding bargains is the largest store of its kind in New England and Majercak hopes the second round of exposure on "This Old House" will lead to more people coming to Springfield to shop.
For more information log on
www.ecobuildingbargains.org or call 788-6900.
