The People Make the Habitat ReStore a Fun Place to Work for Assistant Manager
Many of the customers know Holly Hockaday at the Habitat for Humanity Williamsburg ReStore.
Even better?
She knows them.
“That’s my favorite part of the job,” says Hockaday, the assistant manager who started out as a cashier. “Some people come in a couple times a day to see what’s changed inside.”
The ReStore operated by Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg sells new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price, usually 30-90% off. The evolving inventory makes for a shopper’s delight. Not only are prices low, finds are unique — from collectibles to antiques to useful everyday items.
“People think we sell building supplies, and we do,” Hockaday says. “But they’re surprised to see nice couches and tables and everything you can think of for your house.”
The Newport News native and Bruton High School graduate held multiple jobs in banking, retail and spent nine years as a pharmacy tech prior to joining the ReStore staff in 2017.
Employee orientation introduced her to Habitat’s mission of building homes, communities and hope.
“I learned that the homes aren’t given away for free. The homebuyers have to pay a mortgage,” she says.
Qualified families buy the homes through Habitat’s first-time Homebuyer Program and pay back a zero-interest mortgage, funds that are cycled back into the community so Habitat can build more homes.
ReStore employees are invited to attend home dedication ceremonies, another aspect of the job that Hockaday enjoys.
“We really care about these families,” she says.
Hockaday also enjoys working alongside the ReStore team and volunteers who keep the Williamsburg location among the most successful in the nation.
“I love the employees, and our volunteers are wonderful,” she says.
Hockaday and her husband, Keith, are parents to three children and enjoy fishing, the beach and their orange tabby, Pumpkin. Hockaday relaxes by reading mysteries and romances.
She buys her books from the ReStore, of course, noting, “they’re only $1!”
