Habitat for Humanity ReStore Announces Addition of Jim Sorenson Café

What’s better than a Habitat for Humanity ReStore full of discounted treasures? A Habitat ReStore with a café and espresso bar! Saturday, Jan. 13 marked the dedication of the Jim Sorenson Café at the Habitat ReStore, named to honor the co-founder of Cape May County’s affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. A large crowd gathered at the ReStore to witness the unveiling of the memorial plaque commemorating Sorenson’s service to Habitat and the local community. Everyone enjoyed free coffee and cookies shaped like construction tools from Sisters Sweet Shoppe in Sea Isle City. The theme of the café is volunteerism, and one wall displays posters of local Cape May County volunteers who have helped build Habitat homes over the past five years. “Jim was all about helping others,” said Habitat Executive Director Shawn Lockyear, who worked side-by-side with Sorenson for nearly six years. “We thought it was a fitting tribute to Jim and his generous spirit to promote volunteer opportunities not just with Habitat, but also with other nonprofit organizations.” The café wall features a rack that holds brochures for local nonprofits throughout the county to promote their volunteer programs, as well as a large cork wall to promote community events. “We are planning a volunteer recruiting program for Habitat this spring for folks who want to swing a hammer on our worksite or help in the ReStore, but we encouraged people to follow their passion, whatever it may be. Some volunteers may love working with animals or children, or helping in the wonderful program at Cape Regional Medical Center, or pitching in to protect our beautiful natural environment here in Cape May County,” Lockyear explained. All local nonprofits are encouraged to drop off their brochures at the ReStore for display.
The Jim Sorenson Café is set to open to the public for business on Saturday, Jan. 20. Winter hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The café will serve brewed coffee, tea, espresso drinks, and packaged treats like muffins and cookies. The café will have cozy seating and café tables, all of which will be part of the ReStore inventory. The plan is to expand the menu to iced and blender drinks in the spring, and add an outdoor seating area by Memorial Day.