{"id":4480,"date":"2019-12-02T21:17:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-03T06:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/?p=4480"},"modified":"2022-01-04T20:46:22","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T05:46:22","slug":"rebuild-center-has-bargains-for-the-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/makeitagarden.com\/rebuild-center-has-bargains-for-the-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"ReBuild Center has Bargains for the Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"ReBuild<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The ReBuild Center<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There they were, right before my very eyes! A beautiful set of ceiling fan paddles. I’d been looking for some forever, it seemed. I had wanted to make one of those re-purposed dragonflies that I had seen on Pinterest. Something artsy to display on the back of my garden shed. And Matsu Valley ReBuild had ’em. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the name suggests, a ReBuild Center<\/strong> is a place where you can find used and remnant building materials for indoor or outdoor projects. In a nut-shell, it’s like a thrift store, where you can find all sorts of neat things at considerably lower prices. That makes them great go-to places for gardeners, landscapers and anyone like me who loves to experiment with funky yard art. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"ReBuild
ceiling fan paddles<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Ceiling
whimsical garden art<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The rise of the rebuild center<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you write a garden and art blog, you can’t help but be a huge supporter of rebuild stores. I reference them in many of my articles to help readers find low cost ways to get materials for their yard and garden projects. Many of today’s popular garden design trends use of all sorts of clever up-cycling to create that one-of-a-kind look. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The concept is pretty well established in many parts of the United States and particularly on the East Coast. The non-profit Habitat for Humanity has operated Re-Stores since the first one opened in 1991. And while there are now over 900 such stores in major cities across the country, there are many smaller towns and communities that are still new to the idea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such is the case for the Matsu Valley Rebuild Center (MVR) now located in Wasilla, Alaska. The move is proof of how places like this are growing, as awareness increases. MVR officially opened in March 2019, operating out of the big, brown Trinity Lutheran barn building off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, you’ll find them at 567 S. Denali Street in Wasilla<\/strong>. There, you’ll meet Tim Zalinger the easy going, heart and soul behind this much-needed endeavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"photo
Caption: Tim Zalinger owner, Matsu Valley ReBuild<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zalinger, who comes from a construction background, started the Matsu Valley ReBuild Center because he was tired of seeing all the waste. It’s unbelievable. On a daily basis, perfectly good materials are hauled off to the landfill that could be re-used, re-purposed and re-imagined by someone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His passion is simply to see materials in good condition put to good use. Whether it\u2019s a homeowner\u2019s DIY project or an artist\u2019s whimsical garden sculpture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Becoming a less disposable society<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You almost have to be from a certain generation to remember a time when this wasn\u2019t such a throw-away society.  A time when you could get anything repaired and often did. Things were made of a better quality back then. Back when it was actually less<\/em> expensive to have something fixed than to replace it brand new. Today, it\u2019s the exact opposite.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zalinger thinks about these things. At some point, something changed. Regardless of when or how it all started, much can be done to turn the tide. And , thankfully, the timing for something like a Rebuild center here in Palmer could not be better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A rebuild center gets off the ground<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alaska’s Matanuska Valley, an area 50 miles north of Anchorage, is growing by leaps and bounds. Further evidence of being in the right place at the right time was proven over and over again during an especially hectic summer construction season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The effort originated at Zalinger’s home. There, materials were dropped off. And while some customers did come by to look, Zalinger who was working another job at the time, found it impossible to keep regular \u201coffice hours\u201d. So, it had to be by appointment only. All of which was good incentive to find a place to set up shop. As Zalinger says, \u201cI didn\u2019t want all this stuff piling up at my house!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo
Caption: Good variety of ceramic tile<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The former barn building was a convenient location with good access. The building had a big, industrial garage door which is perfect for receiving large items.\u00a0But in no time, MVR was packed to the gills with no room to expand. Zalinger even added a shipping container he referred to as the “Lynden Wing”, to accommodate all the building materials he was taking in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matsu Valley ReBuild operates as a non-profit 501 C 3. When you drop off donations of building materials, you can get a receipt for tax purposes. Now, that’s a double benefit: No dump fees plus a tax write-off! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Great Place for Small Projects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At its new, larger location, you can expect the store to be well organized. And Zalinger is always on hand to answer questions, help you find something or make a recommendation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll find flooring stuff, door knobs, cabinet pulls and miscellaneous hardware. There’s electrical: indoor and outdoor lighting and wiring. Need a cabinet? Sink? How about a door or window? MSVR has quite a collection of lumber, trim and stair rails (which make adorable snowman crafts! SEE Spindle Snowman craft\/Pinterest<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Caption: White staircase spindles are tucked in between a stash of lumber.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Things you’ll typically find at Matsu Valley ReBuild<\/h4>\n\n\n\n