During the summer of 2009, the house at 2315 Q Street was deconstructed to make way for a NeighborWorks project.
The basement was constructed of limestone block which was salvaged and sold at EcoStores Nebraska.
Several years ago, Runza Restaurants chairman Don Everett and his manager Ken Gray created an experimental farm on Everett’s property in Martell. The pair’s goal: to grow food for the local market on an organically certified farm.
One of the sources for the farm’s building materials is EcoStores Nebraska. Gray visits EcoStores about once a week, often looking for one thing and seeing something else that trips his imagination.
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Gray started with a salvaged greenhouse, then rebuilt it with over half of the materials coming from EcoStores.
Gray estimates that using bricks, concrete blocks, windows, doors, paint and lumber from EcoStores saved 45-50 percent in material costs.
For greenhouse tables, Gray ruled out the new metal commercial models that cost $750 to $800. He built his own using cement blocks from EcoStores and pallets from local businesses for $16 each.
All of the paint came from the store’s regularly stocked free paint supply. Doors were purchased for $35 compared to $100 new. The louvered windows were a special find. Gray bought the store’s entire supply, noting that sometimes the store has special gems you just can’t find anywhere else. Gray said some his most dramatic savings come from recycled lumber.
Gray is looking for more than just the economic bottom line, he is looking for value in the “triple bottom line” – environmental value, social value and economic value.
EcoStores Nebraska | 530 W. P Street | Ph. 402 477-3606 | Email: info@ecostoresne.org
View the photo gallery to see how one of our supporters put this block to good use.
Check out EcoStores Nebraska's new office created from materials in our store.
