Doing business as Homestead Princeton, this company touts itself as New Jersey’s premier independent furniture, gift and home furnishings destination. Homestead handcrafts one-of-a-kind furniture from reclaimed lumber, rescuing vintage wood from idled barns, mills and other structures. Homestead is the only furniture store in the state recognized as a “Sustainable Business” by the New Jersey Sustainable Business Initiative. Its socially responsible and sustainable practices demonstrate concern and regard for a cleaner, safer and healthier environment. Ron and Kristin Menapace are the two family members involved in the business. Their four children have grown up in the family business. All have helped, whether working the cash registers, greeting customers, filming social media posts, or helping at the annual warehouse sales, the Menapace children have been along for the ride for the past 12 years. The business had to overcome a difficult beginning. Just 48 hours after opening, Superstorm Sandy immediately shut the company’s doors for more than a week. After weathering the storm, the business grew and established itself as an essential destination for visitors and residents alike. Staffing, warehousing, and logistics all needed to be ramped up to support the daily operations of the store. After our first 8 years downtown, we evolved to a stand-alone destination with easy free parking and more space. A goal for the future is to achieve the Library of Congress Green Business Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard. This is the global standard for products that demonstrate a sustainability performance in material health, product circularity, clean air & climate protection, water & soil stewardship, and social fairness.