Ted Reiff's blog

The months of May and June have been the busiest in the history of TRP. In addition to completing 49 deconstruction projects, we trained 18 California Conservation Corps (CCC) members and supervisors in the art and science of deconstruction. This is a project that had been in the works for many months and when it finally came to fruition, the results were both exciting and gratifying.

Over the years, since starting TRP, I have seen numerous examples of practical and innovative reuse by do-it-yourselfers and talented artisans determined to remodel, repair or create entirely new products from salvaged building materials. These people have taken used lumber, windows, doors, cabinets, fixtures and appliances and given them a second, third, or, in some cases, fourth life -- and they have saved money doing it! 

As you may recall, we opened our Los Angeles store on February 1 of this year. Now, three months later, the grand opening is coming up on Friday, May 9. Waiting has allowed us to receive materials, organize the space, get our systems in place and, frankly, look presentable. So, while we had our “soft” opening in February, the grand opening will be a bona fide “event,” including speakers and dignitaries from the City of Los Angeles, the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the U.S.