SUSTAINABILITY… IT’S A LIFESTYLE
We are all a little more conscious of the earth surrounding us these days. After a year of slowing down, spending more time in our own backyards, and learning what it takes to cook most of our own meals, most can say that they now feel more closely connected to nature than a year prior. As we slowed down, we also began taking stock of our consumption. From dining out, driving to and from work each day, purchasing everything from big-box stores, fast fashion for every season, to now being just a bit more mindful, it’s a big difference! Personally, we have made changes in our lifestyles that reflect a shift towards sustainability, and professionally, many businesses are doing the same. Not only is it more difficult these days to supply some products (due in part to shortages and manufacturing pauses), but some businesses are seeing the real benefit of purchasing from other local providers, reducing consumption overall, and finding a way to be a bit better with waste management.
So what does sustainability mean for The Inn Berlin? As a new business, we decided from the start to incorporate many of the tenants of sustainable consumption & production into our business model and overall lifestyle. Let’s dive into what that means for our bed and breakfast, and for the guests who stay with us.
Sustainable consumption is the use of material products, energy and immaterial services in such a way that their use minimizes impacts on the environment, so that human needs can be met not only in the present but also for future generations. Consumption refers not only to individuals and households, but also to governments, business, and other institutions. Sustainable consumption is closely related to sustainable production and sustainable lifestyles. A sustainable lifestyle minimizes ecological impacts while enabling a flourishing life for individuals, households, communities, and beyond.
Second-hand purchases
Did you know that there are many resale, antique, and thrift stores within a 30 mile radius of Berlin? We can count at least 30 such places! There is no better feeling than finding something amazing, second-hand. It’s like a treasure hunt, and the only key is to search with an open mind. You can have a list of items you’re looking for, but know that each time you go to these second-hand shops the inventory will be different, and you may just find an item that isn’t on your list. You’re also saving money! By shopping second-hand, you are extending the lifecycle of the item and also getting a deal on the purchase. One of our favorite resources is Facebook Marketplace, because it’s constantly being updated with new things and you can tailor your search to limit (or expand) what you’re looking for. Most sellers on Marketplace are open to negotiation too, so it never hurts to ask if there is any wiggle-room in the price.
Projects are fun! If you find an item that is almost perfect, but needs new fabric, or a coat of paint, you can do it yourself. You will feel an instant surge of accomplishment with your like-new item, and that sweat equity translates into pride and love.
For The Inn, we took advantage of our proximity to second-hand stores and local sellers. We purchased many items second-hand, and gave them a little lift with a few hours of labor.
Our favorite thrift, antique and resale shops near Berlin, MD include:
Habitat ReStore - Off Route 113 in Berlin, MD
Coastal Hospice Thrift Shop - Off Route 50 in Berlin, MD
Samaritan Thrift Shop - Off Route 54 in Selbyville, DE
Atlantic General Hospital Thrift Shop - Off Route 50 in Berlin, MD
Town Center Antiques - On Main Street in downtown Berlin, MD
Delmarva Furniture Consignment - Off Route 13 in Laurel, DE
Little Bit Of Everythin' Thriftiques And More - Off Route 346 in Willards, MD
Jayne’s Reliable - Off Route 401 in Dagsboro, DE
Reuse, donate, or sell
The Inn came filled with stuff. It took about two full months of sorting to figure out what could be reused, donated, sold to neighbors, or what was just beyond salvage. We started by having an estate sale. We invited neighbors and locals via Facebook Marketplace to come by on a Saturday and purchase what we decided others could re-home and love. From what was leftover, we listed individually again on Marketplace, and arranged porch pick-ups for the items that sold (there are still a few items sitting in storage that we will find homes for!). We also donated large quantities of home decor, glassware & kitchen items, and bedding to local donation centers.
The gorgeous antique chaise lounge that needed to be reupholstered got a new start with a plush blue velvet fabric. The mirrors that were in good shape but dinged up got a fresh coat of paint and a new view on life. The antique bricks edging the landscaping were reused as edging again, but in a new pattern that instantly upgraded the look of our exterior. The shrubs that started in the front of the house were replanted in the back, and vice versa, to create a better aesthetic. The list goes on, but I think you get the point. Re-purposing materials is a big way to reduce landfill waste, and it also gives us a story to tell about many of the items inside and outside of The Inn.
Another way we re-purposed items that would otherwise be sent to a landfill was with construction materials finding a new life in other projects. Our front porch was in serious disrepair, and needed an intervention. From the decorative, but crumbling, wooden posts, we plan to build a bar and use them not for support but for a touch of history and interest. From the dentil molding (tooth-shaped blocks of wood) below the cornice, we created a piece of art (see the terrarium photo below).
From our own art collection, we filled the walls with beautiful pieces that have meaning to us. We also asked our families if they had any art or furniture that wasn’t being utilized, and not surprisingly, both sides had plenty of gorgeous items in storage that they were happy to give to The Inn!
Photos by Alyssa Maloof Photography
kitchen garden & beyond
The Inn Berlin is located on a large, 1.5 acre stretch of land, and we saw the potential to transform one large non-functioning area from grass to garden. Walking around Berlin, we see our neighbors finding similar opportunities to grow their own produce, and this is a beautiful sight to see! Directly behind our kitchen, we have a few raised water tanks that supply our sprinkler system in-case of fire. Above these tanks, we found a single sage plant and decided that the entire space (about 28 square feet) could become our kitchen garden for herbs and lettuce. We are not only creating a bounty of herbs and lettuce, saving us from purchasing elsewhere, but we are beautifying what was an eyesore. And the smell of fresh mint and basil permeating our garden terrace doesn’t hurt, too.
Down next to our barn/shed, we decided to plan a garden for more vegetable production year-round. To achieve this, we started by building raised beds instead of buying a kit online. Three years ago, at our previous home, we purchased two 4 x 4 raised bed kits, assembled them, and grew some gorgeous vegetables. Each kit cost roughly $100, but still required the set-up labor. And, by the end of the season, the flimsy beds were looking worse for the wear and we weren’t sure if they would survive another year. Spoiler alert, they didn’t! This time around, we visited the lumber yard and purchased some wood & screws, and made our own beds. We were able to make four 5 x 5 raised beds for about $80, with the same labor and time investment. These beds are sturdy, thick, and most importantly, will be used year after year. We plan to grow vegetables and some fruit in these beds, and supply our kitchen with fresh produce year-round.
supporting local businesses
We are absolutely blessed to be surrounded by a thriving farm community. Many local farms and neighboring purveyors work with nearby businesses to provide seasonal ingredients and products, and we are thrilled to be included in this farm-to-table culture. How amazing is it to know that the bacon served for breakfast at The Inn came from a much-loved pig from Pittsville, just 15 minutes down the road! Likewise with our farm fresh eggs, chicken, and produce we source from our friendly farmers. Below are the farmers we are proud to work with to source our ingredients for The Inn, and we think you should support them, too!
Amanda and John Ruchalski are incredibly kind and talented farmers, working their sustainable family farm on 17 acres in Pittsville, MD. We toured the farm a few weeks ago, and were so impressed with the care they take with each and every plant and animal. Ard Brac Acres has a vegetable CSA, pasture raised eggs, chickens, and pork. They grow strawberries (and offer u-pick in the summer months for strawberries and other berries too!), lettuces, greens, root vegetables, tomatoes, peppers, melons, and even popping corn. They are also raising the sweetest little goats and planning to produce goat milk and cheese in the years to come. We can’t say enough positive things about Amanda and John, and their special farm. Oh, and did we mention that we get all of our honey from the Ard Brac bees?! Right now The Stand is open Sundays from 12 - 4 pm. Please follow Ard Brac on Facebook and Instagram for current events and announcements. We are so happy to partner with such an incredible farm!
Carol Cross is passionate about good food, and to make good food you have to start with good ingredients! Cross Farm is a Certified Naturally Grown farm located in Berlin, MD, and grows a large variety of produce, some fruits and has farm fresh eggs. They also have many heirloom variety vegetables and take pride in following organic practices. Carol and Shawn Cross have been growing produce for 25 years, and they sell directly from the farm and are also at a few farmers' markets. You can see Carol and shop her produce at the Berlin Farmer’s Market, every Sunday from May - September from 9 am - 1 pm.
Another excellent local farm and vendor at the Berlin Farmer’s Market, Goat Plum Tree Farm is small farm based in Worcester County, MD. This spring and summer, they are growing and harvesting greens, carrots, beets, green beans, daikon radishes, gourmet mushrooms, strawberries, cantaloupes, paw paw, herbs, and will also have flowers available. Be sure to visit Matthew at his stand at the Berlin Farmer’s Market and support the farm!
Baywater Farms grows local heirloom produce in a ½ acre hydroponic greenhouse, and in the surrounding fields. They are well-known in the area for providing produce to local restaurants, as well as being available for purchase at surrounding farmer’s markets. You can find Baywater Farms produce at the Berlin Farmer’s Market, every Sunday from May - September from 9 am - 1 pm.
reducing food waste
We send our guests a questionnaire prior to arrival to learn more about their unique dietary needs. We don’t want to serve anyone something they can’t eat and/or don’t like, because ultimately, that food will go to waste. By asking the questions, we can reduce food waste.
A few weeks ago, we contacted the grassroots organization Go Green OC to see about participating in their composting initiative for local businesses and restaurants. Founder Josh Chamberlain is doing some pretty amazing work with the following Ocean City partners: Real Raw Organics, The Hobbit Restaurant, Mother’s Cantina, The Bonfire Restaurant, and The Dough Roller. As of now, they are currently very limited with staff and resources and are running on volunteer support. Until we can join in too, Josh sent us some great information on starting our own 3-tier compost system, which we plan to put in place this summer. Please be sure to support this great organization and help their expansion into the Berlin area, and if you can, start composting in your own backyard!
Final Thoughts…
We aren’t perfect. There were things we had to buy new, there were things we had to throw away. But the whole point of this blog post is to show that with little changes, and being conscious of our consumption and waste, we can make a big difference for our community. Maybe from our own experiences you will be inspired to shop second-hand, sell or donate instead of throwing away, visit your local farm for your produce, or even get crafty and up-cycle something wonderful. The possibilities are endless, and mother nature will thank you for each and every step you take to living life more sustainably.