‘I’m Renovating a 120-Year-Old Abandoned General Store Into the Homestead of My Dreams’

A Virginia resident is transforming a 120-year-old abandoned general store into her dream homestead—and sharing every step of the journey with hundreds of thousands of followers online.Emma Shaye, 32, purchased the property in the fall of 2024 for $23,000 following a deeply personal loss. The previous year, she lost her mother to multiple system atrophy (MSA), a rare neurodegenerative disease.Before taking on the renovation, Shaye lived a life on the move. She traveled the country with her dog in a van she converted herself. But when her mother was diagnosed in 2023, Shaye set aside her travels and moved to Florida to serve as a full-time caregiver until her mother passed away. Then, seeking a fresh start and comfort, she relocated to Virginia to be closer to family.“I have always dreamt about having a home on land in the woods with a garden, maybe some chickens, maybe some farm animals,” Shaye explains. “[But] part of the homesteading thing was just wanting to feel closer to my mom.”Shaye grew up in a naturally handy and creative family. As a child, she watched her father work as a professional contractor, surrounded by saws, wood, and tools. Meanwhile, her mother was a creative s...