Happening Now Thru July 31: Hennepin County Salvage Crawl!
Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 1:04PMArticle by Becky Fillinger, photos provided
A discussion with JP Liesenfeld, General Manager of Furnish Office & Home - one of the businesses particating in the Hennepin County Salvage Crawl
Hennepin County’s Salvage Crawl is underway now through July 31. You can score amazing deals on pristine used furniture and salvaged building materials – and win cool prizes at each retailer! We talked to JP Liesenfeld, General Manager of Furnish Office & Home, one of the participating businesses about shopping the Crawl, the importance of reusing pristine furniture and saving it from the landfill – and saving your budget at the same time.
Q: What is the Hennepin County Salvage Crawl, and why is Furnish Office & Home excited to participate?
A: It’s a wonderful opportunity to get the public energized about green commerce, showcase how easy it is to shop sustainably, and connect with people who want to make a positive environmental impact. It’s an event that is perfectly aligned with our values!
Q: What do you hope first-time visitors will discover during the event?
A: The sheer scale of the things local Twin Cities companies are doing for both the planet and our community is amazing and inspiring. Beyond the mission, we want them to experience the thrill of the hunt! You can find absolute gems that would have otherwise been destined for a landfill - like a Herman Miller Mirra 2 task chair in pristine condition for a fraction of its original retail price.
Q: How has the Salvage Crawl changed the way people think about buying secondhand?
A: It reframes secondhand shopping from a compromise into a first choice. With so many different types of shops participating, people can see that buying refurbished or secondhand isn't just about saving money—it’s an intentional way to shop and live, and you can still get incredible quality. It shows people you don't have to sacrifice style or durability to make an eco-friendly choice.
Q: What are some of the best bargains shoppers might find during the Salvage Crawl?
A: At Furnish, shoppers can find great deals on high-quality commercial furniture from premium brands like Herman Miller, Steelcase and HON. You can get a Herman Miller Aeron for $399 versus $1675. Shop with us and get heirloom-quality pieces with no long lead times and with price points that beat buying new—by a longshot. We are one retailer participating – please visit us but also check out the list of other retailers and great prizes that you can score by coming to the Crawl.
Q: How did Furnish Office & Home get started, and what inspired its focus on commercial furniture?
A: Furnish Office & Home officially joined the EMERGE family back in 2015 through a merger with Momentum Enterprises, a Twin Cities social enterprise that originally started the business. The move brought Furnish under EMERGE’s wing alongside Second Chance Recycling, turning everyday shopping into a powerful engine for local job training and career opportunities.
Commercial furniture was the perfect focus because businesses frequently remodel or downsize, leaving behind incredibly high-quality pieces. By intercepting these items, we create a double win: we save premium furniture from landfills and generate profits that directly fund EMERGE’s mission to help Minnesotans facing traditional employment barriers find meaningful jobs and build fulfilling careers.
Above and below - examples of the kind of quality items you can expect to find during the Hennepin County Salvage Crawl. Nice!
Q: What types of customers shop here? Is it primarily businesses, or are homeowners discovering you as well?
A: A little bit of everyone! We offer full-scale commercial furniture packages to small businesses, schools, cafes, and non-profits looking to outfit their spaces professionally on a budget. At the same time, we love serving the thousands of work-from-home professionals or small business entrepreneurs who come to us to upgrade their home offices with ergonomic, commercial-grade setups that meet any size budget.
Q: What are some of the most unusual or memorable pieces that have come through your doors?
A: One of my absolute favorites right now is an authentic, vintage phone booth! It’s currently in stock and on our showroom floor—so if you’re looking for the ultimate statement piece or a unique conversation starter for your home or office, come check it out!
Q: Every reused desk or chair keeps furniture out of the landfill. Can you put that environmental impact into perspective?
A: The impact is massive. In 2025 alone, we saved over 120,000 pounds of furniture from the landfill. We are able to achieve this number thanks to our ecosystem of sister social enterprises, Second Chance Recycling and Second Chance Removal. Together, we are intercepting waste at every stage - from the initial cleanout to the showroom floor to final disposal.
Q: Why is office furniture particularly well suited for reuse?
A: When you’re looking at commercial brands like Herman Miller or Steelcase, you’re looking at furniture built to last a lifetime. Unlike residential furniture, commercial pieces are constructed with heavy-duty fabrics, reinforced steel, and dense hardwoods designed to withstand the heavy, daily foot traffic of public spaces. They are literally built to not wear out.
"People are consistently shocked by how "like-new" our furniture actually is. They walk in expecting dated or worn-out office surplus, and instead, they find sleek, ergonomically advanced chairs and desks that look like they just rolled off the factory line - but have already survived years of use and are ready for twenty more."
Q: How does buying used furniture fit into the growing circular economy?
A: Almost everything in our daily lives can be kept out of the landfill, and furniture is a prime candidate. By choosing pre-owned, you are keeping raw materials in circulation and reducing the demand for new manufacturing.
Q: How much can shoppers typically save by purchasing pre-owned commercial furniture instead of buying new?
A: Our customers typically save between 70% and 80% off new retail. Businesses, startups, nonprofits, schools, and any other organization can enjoy luxury, ergonomic furniture that would otherwise be well out of their budget.
Q: What styles, colors, or brands are especially popular right now?
A: Our most popular item is high-end seating. In terms of aesthetics, we’re finding that shoppers are really gravitating toward "Warm Minimalism" - a beautiful blend of contemporary commercial design and cozy residential comfort. It offers a sleek, clean look, but uses softer tones and textures that rise above the cold, sterile modern look that dominated offices and lobbies for years.
Q: If someone has never considered buying secondhand furniture, what's your best pitch for giving it a try?
A: I always give them three reasons:
- Unmatched Quality: You are getting premium, commercial-grade construction and pristine condition for a fraction of the cost.
- Immediate Gratification: There are no supply chain delays or months-long factory lead times here. You can buy your furniture and take it home the very same day.
- Guilt-Free Shopping: You are actively saving the planet and investing back into the Minneapolis community through our job-training programs.
Q: I’m sold! How may we stay up to date on future on Furnish Office & Home and future Salvage Crawls or other fun events?
A: The County runs the Salvage Crawl, and you can follow us on Instagram and Facebook @furnishmn for upcoming showroom sales, and fresh inventory arrivals. You can also head over to furnishofficeandhome.org to sign up for our newsletter to get event details and exclusive discounts delivered straight to your inbox!
