The 15 Best Finds at the Southern Adirondack ReStore
Searching for hidden gems at upstate New York's most underrated store. PLUS: Ben Platt comes to town, the future of PJ's BAR-B-QSA, the Belmont on Broadway headliner, and more.
This article was made possible by our friends at Southern Adirondack ReStore.
For literal years, my coworker, Annette, has been telling me I need to go to Southern Adirondack ReStore, Habitat for Humanity’s local shop that sells new and gently used furniture, appliances, and home decor at reduced prices. I never went, partially because Fort Edward sounds like a far-off land, and partially because I thought it was going to be your run-of-the-mill thrift shop. What I found was a quirky, quality, treasure trove of both one-of-a-kind items and brand-spankin’-new products—and it was only 20 minutes from Saratoga Living’s downtown headquarters. Not to be dramatic, but I think it’s my new favorite store.
Now, if you’ve ever driven by ReStore’s building and thought, “There’s surely nothing in there for me,” hear me out.
“We hear on the daily that people had no idea,” says Manager Teri Tibbets, who’ll be the first one to admit that ReStore’s plain-Jane storefront doesn’t do what’s inside justice. (For a while, she was considering relocating the store, but has instead decided to expand the current space on Route 9.) “It’s really something that has to be experienced.”
The biggest misconception, Teri says, is that ReStore is just a thrift store. And while it does take donations from the community, the shop carries a wide selection of brand-new, still-in-the-box items (from full-on bathroom vanities to throw pillows) available at discounted prices. In other words, an item you may find at a big-box store for $200 may just be on the ReStore floor for $120. The best part? Proceeds from all new and used items help Habitat for Humanity partner with local families to build, rehabilitate, and repair homes in our community.
A couple of Fridays ago, I spent close to two hours poking around ReStore’s gigantic selection and jamming to the killer playlist (“Video Games,” by Lana Del Rey, “Rumour Has It” by Adele, and “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash were some standout tunes). Every time I retraced my steps into a room I’d already been in, I found something I hadn’t seen the first time around. While the items may already be gone (“What you see here today won’t be here by Tuesday,” Teri told me), I put together this list of my top 15 finds during my visit. The good news: Even if you missed your chance on one of these things, ReStore gets new product in every day. “When you come in,” Teri says, “you never know what you’re going to find.”
Kimball Reproduction Victorian Queen Chairs
$250 each
Southern Adirondack ReStore regularly has designers and collectors come up from New York City to shop antiques at prices much lower than they could find downstate. “If these were in the City,” Inventory Manager Carolyn Foo told me, “they’d already be gone.”
Roborock Vacuum and Mop
$512
I’m not exactly sure what I thought I’d find at ReStore, but it certainly wasn’t a brand-new robot vacuum on sale for nearly $500 less than MSRP.
Almond Milk Maker
$185
My vegan self could hardly resist going home with this four-piece set from Almond Cow that includes an almond milk maker, milk jug, cleaning wand, and recipe book.
Tiffany style table lamp
$295
While I did see this beauty on the floor at ReStore, it’s also listed on southernadirondackrestore.com, where you can shop a wide selection of many of the larger items the shop carries.
Vintage Mr. Peanut Cookie Jar
$89.55
While Mr. Peanut plays a robotic war hero voiced by Woody Harrelson in the new Netflix movie The Electric State, the iconic Planters mascot is for sale in cookie jar form at ReStore.
Prospera Home couch
$1,400
If you don’t want a couch someone else has sat on but also don’t want to pay full price for one, ReStore is the place to go. This brand-new leather couch is more than $1,000 cheaper than it is on Prospera Home’s website.
Olive tray
$3.85
Love olives as much as I do? The age-old question of where to put your pit after you’ve eaten the olive has been answered with this nifty platter.
Hooker Furniture Credenza
$175
For some reason, this vintage-looking credenza stuck out to me. Maybe it was the kitschy inch worm ($19.55) proudly showing it off.
Corgie Doormat
$9.75
Speaking of kitschy, how can you not love this Corgie doormat? “People love kitschy,” Carolyn told me.
Vintage cast iron goose doorstop
$75
Perhaps a long-lost cousin of Samantha Nass Floral Design Shoppe’s wooden duck statues, this vintage cast iron goose doorstop was made in Japan, and is available on ReStore’s Etsy page.
Hot Air Corn Popper
$5.75
Popcorn is my favorite healthy-ish snack, and now you tell me that you can make it without oil in a machine that costs only $5.75? I nearly walked out with this popper when I was there, and now I regret not grabbing it when I had the chance.
Earrings
$5
ReStore has tons of jewelry at all different prices. These glittery earrings were on the $5 table; there are also $5 themed mystery grab bags (you can’t see what’s inside until you buy) as well as higher-end jewelry for sale.
119-gallon well tank
$400
In ReStore’s less glamorous back room, you’ll find construction materials, kitchen cabinets, and this pressurized well tank that retails for $799 at Home Depot. “There isn’t anything that we won’t get eventually,” Teri says. “I’ve sold boats.”
Ceramic creamer pitcher
$8.85
Bored of boring dishes? ReStore has so many plates, cups, mugs, jugs, and bowls—some part of a set, and some not. I took a liking to this cute little creamer pitcher decorated with what looks like hand-painted people around the bottom.
Vibe Check LED Neon Light
$15
And last but not least, an item seemingly made for me. Finding this Vibe Check sign really hit Teri’s sentiment about ReStore home: “There’s something for everyone.”
—Natalie
Shop ReStore’s ever-changing selection in person Tuesday-Saturday at 1373 US-9, Fort Edward; online at southernadirondackrestore.com; or on Etsy. Have an item you’re looking to donate? Drop it off Wednesday-Saturday from 11am-1pm, or if it’s a larger item, request a free pickup. Have a specific item you’re looking for? ReStore has wait lists for some items, like refrigerators. Call 518.793.7484 or email restore@glensfallshabitat.org for more info.
Quote of the Week
“Where I come from, we spend millions of dollars every day, and the taxpayers are never excited about that.”
—Senator Jim Tedisco, speaking to guests at a ribbon-cutting and open house at Saratoga’s Courtyard by Marriott
Save the Date
OK, this isn’t actually a save the date for Overdress to Impress 2026, but following Tuesday’s event, we’ve had so many people asking us for details about next year that we’re collecting the emails of fashionistas who want to be the first to know about future Overdress events. Reply to this email (or email editorial@saratogaliving.com if you’re reading SLAH online) if you want to be added to our list of Overdress to Impress VIPs.
Scoop, There it Is
As I was driving to City Hall for a press conference on this year’s Belmont on Broadway concert lineup, I got the same text from two different people: “Gin Blossoms.” While the City of Saratoga and other entities involved in the upcoming event kept a tight lid on the news that the popular ’90s band would headline the free show, the Gin Blossoms themselves couldn’t keep quiet. They posted on social media that they’d be performing here, NewsChannel 13 picked up the story, and much of the town had the scoop before it was officially announced. I thought about turning my car around, but ended up still going to the press conference, where I learned about a whole slate of other special events coming to Saratoga Belmont week.
BAR-B-Q & A
According to a recent WGNA article, the future of beloved local barbecue joint PJ’s BAR-B-QSA is uncertain. While the restaurant announced in the fall that it would close down for the winter months, one eagle-eyed fan noticed that its Google listing said “permanently closed” instead of “temporarily closed.” That has since been changed back to “temporarily closed,” but the rumor was out there: Would PJ’s ever return? “We are in the midst of making decisions about the future of PJ’s BAR-B-QSA,” co-owner Carolyn Davis told WGNA. “[We] expect to have some more clarity on the business’s future in the coming weeks.”
Guest of Honor
In a letter recently sent out by Yaddo, it was announced that Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award winner Ben Platt will be performing at the artist retreat’s Summer Benefit on June 26. (You probably know him from Pitch Perfect and Dear Evan Hansen.) Platt will perform The Yaddo Letters, a “remarkable piece that has been tucked deeply away in Yaddo’s archives.” Honorary Committee tickets for the Summer Benefit are on sale now.
Renovation Station
On Thursday, BBL Construction Services unveiled a $7 million renovation at Saratoga’s Courtyard by Marriott at a ribbon cutting and open house attended by many members of the Saratoga community as well as Senator Jim Tedisco. The renovation encompasses the lobby, which boasts a bistro, bar, and fireplace; guest rooms, which have all-new bathrooms, finishes, flooring, wall coverings, and bedding; and an outdoor space, which has new fire pits and outdoor seating.
Toy Story
This week, social media was flooded with pictures of dolls. Sound creepy? It kind of is, but not in the way you’d think. The pictures are part of the latest trend, which has Instagram users asking ChatGPT to create eerily accurate doll/Barbie/action figure versions of themselves, complete with miniature accessories. Here are some of our favorites:
On the Farm
This week, Pitney Meadows Community Farm and Sustainable Saratoga announced a new City-funded community compost program that will give 50 families access to a secure, drive-up compost drop-off site at Pitney Meadows Community Farm as part of a pilot program modeled after the Bethlehem Municipal Compost Program. The finished compost will be used to fertilize Pitney Meadows’ Community Garden and agricultural fields, which provide food to local families, pantries, senior centers, and shelters. Those interested in participating should sign up for the interest list before May 1.
Single and Ready to Mingle
Single in Saratoga is back, and this time, we’re losing the booze. Join Saratoga Living and Saratoga Sweethearts at Broadway Coffee Co. on Thursday, May 8 for Single in Saratoga: Low ABV Edition. Whether you’re sober, hate hangovers, or prefer to spend your time in places that aren’t bars, this is your chance to meet other singles who are on the same page as you. Reserve your spot now.
On Broadway
You may remember Ballston Spa skincare store Petal + Hive from our 2024 story on owner Jillian Ehrenberg’s Acta Beauty line of products. Now, Jillian is bringing her brick-and-mortar location to downtown Saratoga. In an email sent out to customers this week, the owner announced that, because she doesn’t have the space in her current location to host events and offer workshops, she’s signed a lease on a larger space located at 510 Broadway in Saratoga. She plans to close the B Spa shop in late May and hopes to make a seamless transition to her new spot, the former home of The Mind Body Spirit Shoppe, which will be moving all its Saratoga product to its other location in Colonie Center. The Shoppe is closed now, but will be hosting a moving sale for some of its boutique items (not crystals) next weekend.
Ask Him Anything
Fresh off an electric emcee performance at Overdress to Impress, Zac is back and ready to answer your most burning questions. The second installment of Pour Decisions, an advice column written by none other than Bocage Champagne Bar/Standard Fare co-owner Zac Denham, will return this spring. Have a question for him? Reply to this email or send it to editorial@saratogaliving.com.
ICYMI
On Monday, the Saratoga Living Insiders Club got an exclusive preview of the Innovation Center at Saratoga, a new makerspace coming to Malta in the coming weeks. To see what’s on the horizon, watch the video above, read our story on the new project, or register for Sneak Peek Saturday, going on at the Center today from 10am-3pm. Want to get in on the insider action? The Saratoga Living Insiders Club is going rock climbing later this month—join us!
Other SL/CRL stories you may have missed:
Gin Blossoms to Headline Belmont on Broadway Concert
Vibe Check: Overdress to Impress