The Home Depot Ain't Got Nutin' on The Milner Mall

Most cities across America have The Home Depot or Lowe's or other big building supply stores, but we in Steamboat Springs, CO have "The Milner Mall". At least that's what locals refer to it as, but it's official name is Home Resource and it's basically an area of "organized chaos" at the local landfill.

Don't get me wrong, we have great hardware stores. But the Milner Mall is not a hardware store.

Home Resource is a non-profit subsidiary of the landfill, selling salvaged materials at a discounted price and keeping them out of the landfill.  I was amazed at what all I saw there!

doors

Home ReSource was started a few years ago in an effort to divert reusable materials from the landfill. This keeps our valuable land from becoming bigger dumping grounds, but it also provides affordable building materials and recreation equipment. Home ReSource participated in Steamboat Springs' Community Recycling Day recently collecting hard-to-recycle items for resale and proper disposal. 

10 Items Commonly Found at Home ReSource, aka "The Milner Mall"

1. Sinks/Toilets
2. Windows
3. Doors
4. Bath tubs
5. Cabinets (kitchen/bath)
6. Lawn Mowers
7. Bicycles
8. Tile
9. Skis/Snowboards
10. Appliances

The bike shed at Home ReSource.

On November 2nd, Home ReSource will be hosting its annual Creative Community Art Contest and Show. Artists are invited to build a piece on-site starting now and must be completed by 11/2 using materials from "The Milner Mall". Artwork becomes property of the Home ReSource where it will remain for the enjoyment of customers and visitors. Winners of the contest will be determined by the highest number of votes on November 2 from 9am - noon. (Email homeresource.co@gmail.com for more details.) Some of the art from years past is pretty cool, like this snowboard flower.

Snowboard yard art at the Home Resource.

You may not find everything you are looking for like you might at the big box stores, but then again you will not find movie theater seats, ski lockers, old high chairs and other random items just begging to be repurposed and resurrected at those stores either. I will definitely go back to Home ReSource, if not for materials then for inspiration. After all, one man's trash is another man's treasure, right?

Greenhouse made of reclaimed windows found at Steamboat Springs' Home ReSource.

Starting January 1st, 2014, Prudential will become Steamboat Sotheby's. Elevating my already high level of service, I'm excited about the change.

Regards,

Charlie