New Life at Second Chance Resale

March 31, 2014 – “New Life at Second Chance Resale” in Chesapeake Inspired by Katie Riley

At Second Chance Inc., an antique and architectural salvage emporium in downtown Baltimore, everything old is new again. The 200,000-square-foot warehouse off of I-295 houses a wonderland of architectural salvage, home décor items and building materials sure to astound the most experienced treasure hunter. The incredible inventory of old windows, doors, claw-foot tubs and lighting selections never ceases to amaze, but it is the company’s environmentally friendly mission that is most impressive.

Founded in 2001, Second Chance Inc. is dedicated to developing sustainable solutions through deconstruction. By partnering with area builders and architects, the nonprofit is able to salvage building parts slated for demolition and resell them to the general public.

A visit to the warehouse reveals rows of stained glass windows, vintage fixtures and aisles of antiques with everything from oriental rugs to original oil paintings. The authentic Baltimore salvage, lumber and moldings are a renovator’s dream; even the most discerning DIY-er could find something to love in the deeply discounted wood flooring and vast array of kitchen cabinetry. Second Chance, whose motto is “Retrain, Reclaim, Renew,” is also committed to offering jobs and life skills education to Baltimore City residents faced with unemployment and life challenges.

“For a decade now, Second Chance Inc. has been committed to providing green-collar job training to those who have previously faced barriers to employment, says Pete Theodore, marketing director of Second Chance
Inc. “While developing a skilled workforce who can ‘un-build’ structures, we divert an enormous amount of demolition debris from the waste stream, provide significant tax advantages to our home and product
donors, and preserve our region’s rich architectural history.”

After several hours spent strolling through the warehouse, it’s impossible to discover all the store has to offer, because at Second Chance, they are selling more than just vintage furniture and old house parts.