Listed in “2010-11 Guide to Architectural Salvage, Antique Lumber & Garden Antiques Companies” by the Publishers of Architectural Salvage News.
The source for locating architectural salvage and antique lumber suppliers throughout the U.S. and Canada
October 4, 2010 – “Frankenbars” The Baltimore Sun by Erik Maza
A creative use of salvage materials keeps good things from going to waste as owners pour history into their pubs. Read about how Second Chance features prominently in these enterprises.
September 23, 2010 – “Deconstruction 101” in EcoHome by Jennifer Goodman
This primer on the process of deconstruction includes the following excerpt:
Workers from Baltimore-based architectural salvage company Second Chance descended on the house in early June and over two days stripped out flooring, toilets, appliances, light fixtures, and framing. On other projects with longer deconstruction times, Beeson says the salvage company has reclaimed framing and roofing materials and even electrical wires. “It’s not an easy process,” says Beeson. “It’s time-consuming and exacting.”
All the salvaged products and materials end up at the nonprofit’s warehouses near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor where they are sold to architects, builders, and the general public. Homeowners can receive a hefty tax writeoff for donating their old materials after making a one-time donation to Second Chance for their salvaging services.”We
try to get all of our customers to sign up with Second Chance, and we’ve been pretty successful due to the significant tax benefits,” Beeson says.
In addition to what Second Chance salvaged, Bethesda Bungalows’ crew removed the oak flooring, to be used later on another project (see video below). By the time Rockville, Md.-based contractor GM Williams & Sons arrived for demolition in early July, the 1,200-square-foot house was not much more than the framing and foundation, and about 25% of demolition waste had been diverted from the landfill, Beeson estimates.
June 22, 2010 – “Homes for Sale, A Piece at a Time: Materials Salvaged from Houses Find Boom Market” USA Today by Wendy Koch
Non-profit Second Chance in Baltimore deconstructs 75 houses annually plus parts of 200 to 300 other buildings, up from five homes in 2003, founder Mark Foster says. He says his warehouse space is 150,000 square feet, up from 15,000 square feet. “People are looking for products that are gently used but one-third the price,” Foster says, explaining why his annual sales have increased from less than $500,000 in 2003 to more than $2 million.
December 2009 – “Featured Dealer: Second Chance Inc.” This Old House by Mark Foster and Andrew Gardiner
Second Chance is different than high-end architectural antiques stores. The products we offer, the customers who come in, and the employees who work here run the gamut. Second Chance gives jobs to the city’s unemployed by training them to do deconstruction, which is basically unbuilding old houses and giving their components a new lease on life. The people who undergo training each year are guaranteed a job with us at the end of the apprenticeship. What’s great is that we are expanding into other cities that have the same issues as Baltimore: displaced workers but a strong labor pool and local governments that are interested in providing jobs.
November 23, 2009 – “To Strengthen Maryland’s Nonprofit Economy, Think Like an Entrepreneur” Baltimore Business Journal by Paul Wolman and J. Howard Kucher
Second Chance is singled out as 1 of 4 “great examples of the social entrepreneurship model…at work in metropolitan Baltimore.”
September 2009 – “Salvaging Buildings and Lives” Southern Living by James T. Black
This major magazine reports on how “Second Chance Inc. finds new lives for antique fixtures and unemployed people.”
September 14, 2009 – “Second Chance Architectural Salvage in Baltimore” Chesapeake Home + Living by Dennis Hockman
I don’t get to Second Chance in Baltimore that often, but whenever I do, I am amazed by the inventory—a mix of architectural salvage, antique house parts like railings, doors, knobs, and hardware as well as new and used building materials and antique furnishings, art, and rugs.
The Second Chance website about page describes itself well: “In our throw-away world, buildings are only meant to last for 20 years, shingles are plastic and old-world craftsmanship is nearly impossible to find. Second Chance gives old buildings new life. We work with local and regional architects, builders and contractors to search out old buildings which are entering the demolition phase. We rescue the wood, metal, marble, plaster, stone and other architectural elements that make the building special. We give these pieces new lives, in new homes, in new ways, with new uses. It’s a Second Chance.”
Or A LOT of second chances. When I say the place is a little overwhelming, I mean it. Spread out over 4 warehouses each with a unique collection, it takes some time just walking through—let alone trying to find something specific. When I go, I go with a plan…. if you go, make sure you leave yourself enough time . . . and take a pick-up truck so you can take home whatever you find.
April 2009 – “The Baltimore Green Guide” Urbanite, The Green Issue
Second Chance, in South Baltimore, has warehouses full of this stuff, plus a collection of antique furniture and trimmings.
January 11, 2009 – “In Search of a Second Chance” The Baltimore Sun by Lorraine Mirabella
In this article Second Chance, a “South Baltimore business being forced to move for redevelopment is looking for a new location.”
December 2008 – “Renee Zellweger Spotting Becomes Baltimore’s Favorite Pastime” Baltimore Magazine – ed. Max Weiss
We try not to get all gushy and stuff, but se eing an A-list movie star in our town, shopping at our stores, eating at our restaurants makes us a little star gazey. This past summer, apple-cheeked actress Renee Zellweger was here filming the period piece My One and Only and the poor girl couldn’t buy hand weights without us knowing about it. She was spotted at South Moon Under buying a Marc Jacobs bag and Ray-Bans; at Urban Chic she left with Sara Happ lip scrub in vanilla bean and cocoa and Herban Essentials Peppermint Towelettes. She dined at Charleston and Cinghiale, perused the goods at Second Chance, sipped coffee at Starbucks, and worked out at MAC. She was described as “the sweetest, nicest person,” “really, really skinny,” “all smiles,” and “we’re like best friends now.” Hopefully, she liked us, too.
November 2008 – “Construction Site” Baltimore Magazine by Jessica Klein
Coverage of Second Chance’s 4th Annual Wreckers Ball on September 20 to celebrate our newly renovated warehouse. The construction-themed “event raised $50,000 to support Second Chance Architectural Antiques and Salvage, which trains low-income residents of Baltimore in a wide variety of skill sets, ranging from carpentry to craftsmanship.”
October 2008 – “Personal Space: Cockeysville, Deconstructed” Baltimore Magazine by Jane Marion
Hesselberth and Plunkert also share an affinity for salvaging industrial pieces and reusing them in unexpected ways. Plunkert transformed a violin case into a shelving unit for the living room, while an old tool box found new life as a medicine chest in the kids’ bathroom. Frequent trips to Baltimore architectural salvage shop Second Chance yielded panels of ceiling tin now wired together as wall art for the living room and an old street grate that is now embedded into the flooring outside Jacob’s room.”We try not to make this house fussy,” sums up Plunkert with a laugh. “It’s kind of like Frank Lloyd Wright meets trailer park.”
July 10, 2008 – “Our Favorite Shops in Baltimore” The Washington Post by Terri Sapienza
In this “Home” Section of the Post, the authors suggest the nine best places in Charm City “to help you settle in and set up house.” The occasion is the marriage of Jenna Bush, daughter of President Bush!
May/June 2008 – “Green Scene- Deconstruction: Deconstruction offers a green alternative to demolition” Home and Design
February 10, 2008 – “Lost and Found” The Baltimore Sun by Andrea Siegel
The byline reads: “Whether it’s salvaging historic hardware or leftover ceramic tiles, frugal homeowners are turning to recycled building materials.” Now you know why Second Chance is mentioned!
2008 – “The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems” HarperCollins by Van Jones
Jones shines the spotlight on Second Chance in this New York Times Bestseller! Summaries, reviews, and copies are available online at Amazon.
December 7, 2007 – “Second Chance Inc. – a First-Rate Treasure Trove” The Examiner (Baltimore) by Sarah Moran
Second Chance founder Mark Foster answers questions about this “four-year-old nonprofit that strips, stores and sells almost anything you can fathom from about-to-be-razed buildings.”
November 2007 – “Going Green: Thirty-One Ways You Can Help the Bay” Chesapeake Life by Kessler Burnett
Patronizing your own Second Chance comes in as the twenty-forth way you can help save the precious Chesapeake Bay!
October 2007 – “Turning Up the Heat” Baltimore Magazine by Barbara Fusciello
Second Chance products and advice are given in this article on “new ways to upgrade the heating system in your house.”
September 8, 2007 – “Getting a Handle on Stylish Doorknob” The Baltimore Sun by Rob Kasper
As the title suggests, this article is about embarking on a project to spruce up your doors…and thus living space. Second Chance products and installation advice comprise most of the article.
September 6, 2007 – “New Deconstruction Initiative Takes Place” The Observer by Kevin Kessler
This New Jersey publication showcases Second Chance’s deconstruction of houses and a medical center.
April 26, 2007 – “Program Salvages Jadwin Loop Materials for Re-Use” Belvoir Eagle by Melina Rodriguez
The article describes “Fort Belvoir and the non-profit organization Second Chance Incorporated…joining forces to salvage material from historic homes in Jadwin Loop.”
April 2007 – “New Turns for Old Newels” This Old House by Amy Hughes
Second Chance products and insight gleam in this article on “how to use the vintage wooden posts to support a new staircase, prop up a counter, or dress up an entryway.”
October 12, 2006 – “Putting a Demolished House to Good Use” Baltimore Messenger by Loni Ingraham
Second Chance’s deconstruction of a north Baltimore home is described.
October 11, 2006 – “Deedy & God & Second Chances” Towson Times by Loni Ingraham
An avid recycler lets Second Chance work its magic, making the way for a dream house to be built and jobs to be created.
July/August 2006 – “This Old Stuff: Architectural Salvage Enters the Mainstream” Preservation by Amanda Kolson Hurley
Second Chance plays a prominent role in this feature article on the growing trend of deconstruction and architectural salvage.
Summer 2006 – “Mark Foster, Second Chance Synergist” from The Grapevine in The Cathedral Connection by Mary Jo Coiro
A thoughtful write-up on Second Chance and its founder. The Grapevine spotlights those who manifest Catholic beliefs in the world-at-large.
Spring 2006 – “Charm City’s Charms” Home and Design by Tracy Griggs
Second Chance is featured among “the thriving design and home fashion scene [that’s] keeping pace with ‘The New Baltimore.'”
March 2005 – “Keeping It Historic” Baltimore Magazine by Christine Demkowych
The summary reads: “The purist homeowner doesn’t shop just anywhere to keep his renovation authentic.” That’s why Second Chance shows up in the article!
Spring 2005 – “Be Original” Home and Garden by Christine Demkowych
Second Chance is singled out as a tremendous resource for “rehabbers with a vision (who) bring new life to old structures.”
December 19, 2004 – “Adding Fine Old Items for ‘Instant Character'” The Baltimore Sun by Scott Waldman
“Homeowners are turning to architectural salvaging to give new or remodeled houses a touch of vintage furnishings and past craftsmanship,” says the byline. It’s no wonder, then, that Second Chance is a focal point of this piece.
February 2004 – “100 Building and Decorating Sources” Home Magazine
Second Chance proudly sits among this elite company!
February 2004 – “Shop Salvage” Country Living
At merely one year old, Second Chance is already singled out in national publications as a “go to” place for shopping for salvaged products.
December 18, 2003 – “Girlie’s Bar Gets New Life” The Baltimore Sun by Scott Calvert
The Hoffman’s “family tavern in Canton gives way to development, but pieces of it will get a second chance” through the salvaging efforts of Second Chance.
November/December 2003 – “Chances Are” Style by Doug Brown
“Baltimore’s old tubs and ornate mantels are salvaged for a second chance.”
September 21, 2003 – “An Even Better Second Chance” The Baltimore Sun by Lori Sears
This article marks Second Chance’s opening of “its third Baltimore Warehouse of architectural antiques and salvaged items.”
June 19, 2003 – “Search and Rescue” Home Section of The Washington Post by Doug Brown
“Spared from the landfill, architectural finds get a second chance.”