New location allows for expansion of contents, outreach

By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

SWMO Restore and Builds will open its doors to the public on Friday after relocating from its location on 10th Street in Cassville to the former Lecompte’s Hardware building at 201 E. 7th St.

Tabetha Cooper, manager of SWMO Restore and Builds said the move was about two things — space and location.

“We really needed room and wanted to expand what we were offering, and we could not do that where we were,” she said. “Here, we can take more, and people who had a hard time getting to us before can get to us because we’re in the center of the community. I think we will have a lot more walking traffic, and we will have free, open wifi here, so if kids need a place to go with wifi, they can come here.

“We also have people who work on the square that are wanting to come here on their lunch break to just sit down.

Doors open at the new location at 9 a.m. Friday, and regular hours will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and either 9 a.m. to 2 pm. or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, depending on the volume of business on those days at the new location.

Cooper aid expansion at the new facility is already happening, as SWMO Restore and Builds has added a clothing section, a dedicated year-round Christmas area and an incoming hardware section.

“We are having some structural work done on that part of the building, so it will be a weekand- a-half or two weeks before we get the expanded hardware section set up,” Cooper said. “Every area has been expanded, so it’s not just a single self for each item.”

Prices inside the store will stay about the same, or drop in some areas, Cooper said. A “vintage” area will also be opened for one weekend per month.

“We are also going to start offering classes on things like quilting, crocheting, canning, furniture refinishing and anything else people may want,” Cooper said.

Further plans in the works to liven up the building with the help of Cassville High School art students.

“One thing that really excites me is will have the art students do a mural on the side of the building, a river with fish on it going south toward the creek,” Cooper said.

Proceeds made by SWMO Restore and Builds go toward the community through service projects, which lately have centered around helping homeowners with American Disabilities Act issues solve them.

“Eventually, we will get back into home builds, but right now, we are focused on ADA issues like building ramps for homes and widening doorways,” Cooper said. “We want to help with weatherization of homes, too. Many people own homes but do not have the money for upkeep. They may need a railing or handle bars in the bathroom. Right now, that’s what we are doing, but we do want to get back into home builds.”

Cooper said none of the work could be done without the help of her volunteers and the support from the Cassville community.

“We have amazing volunteers, and if not for them, I would not be here,” she said. “The outpouring of support from the community has also been amazing.”

Cooper mentioned Jerry Watley for his help with the building renovations, as well as James Weaver for putting in more efficient LED lighting. The Boltons, with J&M Pallet Company, also donated thousands of dollars in dumpster use to the SWMO Restore, Cooper said.

“We had a guy sneak in and hide in the building and steal $1,800 in copper wiring from us, and Jerry was right there to replace it, and on that same day, we received a $700 donation from someone who thought we just needed the help.”

Another challenge has hit the Restore, as a wind storm destroyed the lumber area on the building’s east side. Cooper said weather has not been cooperative as of yet, but plans are to tear down the lumber area and use it for parking.

The SWMO Restore and Builds has an eight-member board, which can be as many as 13, and they say the future is bright “So much is changing for the better, and everything we do will completely stay in the community,” Cooper said. “Our board has even discussed doing a scholarship because we have so many kids who volunteer her and we want to give back.”

Cooper said doors will open at the store at 9 a.m. on Friday, and two food trucks will be available, Libby’s Tacos and Foster’s BBQ. For more information on the store, people may call 417-846-0110 or visit the SWMO Restore Facebook page.

Cooper said the phone number may be out of service until an issue is resolved, but people can message her on the Facebook page.