Murphy Praises Homestead Princeton For Supporting Local Economy

PRINCETON, NJ — It’s a good day for small business owners in Princeton. At Wednesday’s press conference, Gov. Phil Murphy singled out a Princeton business for high praise and thanked them for contributing to the region’s economy during the pandemic.

Furniture and decor store, Homestead Princeton was praised for helping to “move the state forward.” The store is operated by husband-and-wife duo, Ron and Kristen Menapace, in a building that once housed the Princeton Packet.

“Ron and Kristen are no strangers to challenges. They opened Homestead just two days before Superstorm Sandy upended our state,” Murphy said.

“Unbowed, they charged on establishing Homestead as the leading source of home furnishing including their own line of sustainable custom furniture built from reclaimed vintage Barnwood. And in good part because of this, Homestead Princeton is the only furniture store to be recognized by the New Jersey Sustainable Businesses Initiative.”

When the pandemic put their nine years effort to the test, Ron and Kristen partnered with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to secure grant funding to expand their warehouse and staging area, Murphy said.

With help from the grant, the owners managed to maintain their operations and support the jobs they created.

Murphy pointed out that Ron handmade a sign in Drumthwacket, noting the history of the original Olden house on the estate.

“I thanked Ron and Kristen when I spoke with them on Monday for all they are doing to support not just Princeton’s economy, but their leadership in our growing sustainable economy as well,” Murphy said.

Homestead Princeton is located at 300 Witherspoon Street. They specialize in furniture, decor, design services, and more.

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