Homemakers Champions Sustainability with New Tiffin Location

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 1, 2026

Legacy retailer sets new standard with mass timber construction and solar power leadership 

Homemakers Furniture, Iowa’s largest retailer of furniture, mattresses and accessories, is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability with its upcoming location in Tiffin, Iowa. The new store will be built with “mass timber,” an environmentally friendly alternative to steel, and will feature a solar array capable of generating more than one megawatt of electricity. Together, these efforts will make Homemakers the largest private solar power generator in the state of Iowa. 

Building Green with Mass Timber 

The decision to build Homemakers’ new Tiffin store using mass timber highlights Homemakers’ long-term focus on environmental responsibility. Although more costly than traditional steel, mass timber is renewable, sequesters carbon, and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere inside the showroom. This construction choice allows the store to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment while demonstrating sustainable design and large-scale retail can go hand in hand. 

Additionally, the commitment to mass timber construction will result in the new Tiffin, Iowa location being among the largest mass timber projects on the North American continent, in league with projects such as the Ascent MKE building in Milwaukee, WI and the Portland International airport expansion in Portland, OR. 

Leading the Way in Renewable Energy 

Like its flagship location in Des Moines, the Tiffin store will be powered in large part by solar energy. The rooftop array will generate over one megawatt of electricity annually, offsetting half of the building’s energy needs. During low-demand periods, excess energy will be funneled back into the grid to support the wider community. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also underscores Homemakers’ position as an industry leader in renewable resource adoption. 

Sustainability Beyond the Environment 

Homemakers views sustainability as more than green building practices. The new Tiffin store is projected to create approximately 300 jobs, strengthening the local economy and providing long-term career opportunities in sales, design, delivery, and operations. This investment reflects Homemakers’ commitment to sustaining both the environment and the communities it serves.

A Legacy of Stewardship 

Since its founding in 1974, Homemakers has been guided by the Merschman family’s dedication to integrity, service, and community involvement. That legacy of stewardship continues today, with second-generation leadership carrying the company into its second half-century. With its expansion into Tiffin, Homemakers is proving that family legacy and sustainable innovation can move forward together, ensuring the business thrives for generations to come.

About Homemakers Furniture 

Founded in Iowa in 1974 by Carl and Ina Merschman, Homemakers Furniture is based in Des Moines, Iowa, with a mission to make a house a home. With a proud legacy of providing high-quality furniture, mattresses, and accessories, Homemakers has served customers across the country for over 50 years. Acquired by Nebraska Furniture Mart, a Berkshire Hathaway company, in 2000, Homemakers continues to be managed and operated by the Merschman family.