Formerly known as the Barry County Habitat for Humanity Restore, The SW MO Restore and Builds is making its debut.

Tabetha Cooper, the manager of SW MO Restore and Builds, said the local board had originally looked into disaffiliating from Habitat for Humanity about a year ago.

“There was a lot of red tape to make it happen, but we officially disaffiliated last month,” she said. “What this essentially means is that all the profit that the Restore brings in will be given back into this community, instead of before, where some of the profits were given to the Habitat for humanity organization, which didn’t necessarily get back to this area. We want it to stay in this community to help the people in this community. We felt it would be better for us to become a non-profit so we can keep helping the community we serve in.”

In addition, Cooper said they will have more freedom in both how and who they can help.

“We won’t be bound to specific income levels or areas that we can work with,” she said. “We won’t be hindered by boundaries.”

Another big thing for SW MO Restore and Builds is they are moving.

“We are trying to purchase the old ACE Hardware building off the square,” she said. “Hopefully, we will be moved by the first of the year.

“With this, we could use all the volunteers we could get. We need help getting the building ready to move into, as well as moving stuff and stocking shelves.”

Cooper said if people have any questions or concerns they are welcome to call or stop by the Restore.

“It is amazing the outpour of support that the community has shown during this process,” she said. “We are looking forward to partnering with other non-profits and local organizations to do more and help more.” People can reach the SW MO Restore and Builds on Facebook at Swmo Restore by sending the page a friend request, or the store by phone at 417-846-0110.