February, 2005 - Local General Contractor, Edifice, Inc., in conjunction with the Charlotte business community, has generously donated thousands of dollars, materials, and services to Habitat for Humanity to help them open their second ReStore in Charlotte. The ReStore, a division of Habitat for Humanity, is a retail operation that sells donated materials to the public at discounted prices to fund the building of Habitat homes.

Edifice, Inc., a highly respected Charlotte based general contractor, teamed up with ADW Architects, P.A. and Laughing Dog Studio Architecture, PLLC to revitalize a long vacant BI – LO Supermarket. The building houses not only the ReStore, but also the Habitat offices and living quarters for AmeriCorps volunteers. With the leadership of this task force, hundreds of volunteers, and over 50 local business owners, the facility has been transformed into a jewel in the crown of the queen city.

Eric Laster, a member of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte and CEO and President of Edifice, Inc., has been an active member and supporter of the Habitat mission for the past 15 years. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Laster is also an active member of the organization and has volunteered on five of the past service trips to El Salvador.

The combination of the existing Wilkinson Blvd. ReStore and the new Wendover Rd. location will fund an estimated 10-12 additional Habitat homes each year. The ReStore is a sustainable operation that will continue to generate revenue for many years to come in the effort to accomplish Habitat’s goal of eliminating substandard housing in Charlotte.