Homecrest combines a rich history of quality and classic design with today's demand for affordable luxury and versatile living. Homecrest's focus has broadened to encompass the increasing demands of sophisticated, style-driven consumers seeking to complement their homes' interior designs and create a seamless flow between indoors and out.
Homecrest began as an offspring of a retail furniture shop in Wadena, Minn. in 1953, when founders Mert Bottemiller and Al Engelemann set out to build a better hassock (now more commonly known as an ottoman) than their vendors could supply. They soon expanded their business into manufacturing with a growing line of indoor and outdoor patio furniture.
As retail sales prospered, distribution expanded into new markets including international, and contract for resorts, restaurants and health care. The Homecrest outdoor patio furniture line also grew, with a stream of new collections, products and innovations including: self-adjusting chaise, swivel rocker recliner and chaise, gliders, padded slings and technically innovative fabrics, very low maintenance aluminum mesh, and the popular Comfort Recliner.
The original Swivel Rocker mechanism, patented by Homecrest in 1956, was at the foundation of the Homecrest outdoor product line, which took off in the 1960s as Americans increasingly enjoyed backyard dining, entertaining and recreation. The popularity of Homecrest products soared and distribution extended nationwide.
In addition to being one of the first outdoor patio furniture manufacturers in the United States, Homecrest was also the first outdoor furniture manufacturer to use Sunbrella fabrics on outdoor furniture.