On Jan. 27, the ReStore at 211 W Maple St. in Iron River suffered a devastating roof collapse. The owner, Habitat for Humanity Menominee River, will not reopen the store but will continue serving the community. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

IRON RIVER — Habitat for Humanity Menominee River has decided not to reopen its ReStore in Iron River that has been shuttered since the roof collapsed Jan. 27.

Habitat director Nancy Pellegrini said she was told they would need to dig new footings and start over on the 8,000-square-foot building they purchased for $18,000 at 211 W. Maple St. in Iron River.

She believes the collapse was caused by weakened support columns that were not properly supported. When the Cream City bricks in the columns began to deteriorate, a previous owner placed cinder blocks alongside the columns but never transferred the weight.

Pellegrini, along with the board, thanked Iron County for supporting the Iron River ReStore for the past five years.

She stressed they are not abandoning the county.

“This decision will not impact our serving income-qualified families in Iron County through our Owner-Occupied Home Repair Program,” she said. Through this program, five Iron County families in 2019 got assistance with home repairs including two roof replacements, two furnaces and window replacement.

Habitat plans to do a mini-repair blitz for veterans in Iron County in the summer, she said.

“We have had a hard time finding volunteer support in the past,” Pellegrini said. “… Repair projects need volunteers, so we are looking to grow our volunteer program in Iron County.”

Anyone interested in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Menominee River can contact the office at 906-779-5377 or email hfh@habitatmr.com.