THIS IS US: At Home with Josh & Grace

Their early dates included Thrasher’s Fries, Double Dippers ice cream, and, eventually, Schell Brothers activities and events. Today, Grace and Josh Hoinowski are still sharing all those things and more—along with their sons, Jack and Max.

ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM DELAWARE?GRACE: Actually, no; I wasn’t always here (but don't tell anyone). My father served in the Coast Guard for 20 years, giving our family the chance to live in some cool places, always by the beach. I was born in Cape May and grew up on the recruit training depot base there. Some of my earliest memories are taking the ferry to visit family in Bridgeville and Rehoboth. I’d spot the Breakwater Lighthouse as we neared the port and feel that familiar excitement—Grandma’s house wasn’t far! When my dad retired, we moved to Bridgeville to be closer to family, and my parents still live there today. I’m a proud Woodbridge High School alumna and loved growing up in a small town, always knowing that the beach was nearby. I then attended Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!) and, while the mountains were beautiful and the idea of adult city life was tempting, I never lived more than 30 miles from the ocean. Eventually, the coast called me back and I’ve been at home in Delaware ever since.

JOSH: Yes, I am a proud life-long Delawarean— born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware and fortunate to grow up in the same area my parents are from. We vacationed here in beach trailers when I was a kid and, as I got older, I spent the majority of my summers in Rehoboth or Dewey. After my job with a beer distributor allowed me to relocate to their Milford site, which was closer to my parents in Lewes, I soon realized this was the place for me.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR SCHELL JOURNEY.GRACE: When I graduated from college with a degree in education I was at a crossroads. After some student teaching in Blacksburg, I was humbled by ninth graders and didn't know if my heart was 100% into that career path. I researched sales opportunities, scheduled interviews in the DC/Northern Virginia area, and—after days of walking around in heels and pantsuits—quickly realized that wasn't for me, either. I am more of a barefoot kinda gal but will wear flip flops if need be.

When my neighbor started working for Schell and raved about the company, I did some quick research that led me to the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Schell episode. It created an instant connection, reminding me that one of my key reasons for choosing Virginia Tech was their focus on service. Our college motto was Ut Prosim, meaning "That I may serve." As a school ambassador, I was one of those people who gave tours while walking backwards—and I participated in volunteer events focused on giving back to our school and community. It was an aspect of my life I wasn't willing to compromise, knowing that wherever I ended up, it had to be a place with a meaningful service mission. After watching that Extreme Makeover episode and seeing the team work hard to help Dale and Ken continue their service to the community, I was hooked. So, when I walked into my interview, lookedabove the sales director’s door and saw a picture of some Hokie Stone, I knew the stars were aligning. I started as a sales assistant, worked up to a community sales manager role, and am now the online sales consultant for our Delaware Division. It’s been 12 years, and I’ve loved every minute.

JOSH: After moving to Lewes, I joined the new home construction industry and became familiar with the Schell name, although I didn’t really understand what the company was about until I met Grace. When we started dating, she invited me to company events where I met many of her coworkers. I was surprised to see how everyone hung out regularly and were friends—it was something I hadn’t experienced in a work atmosphere. Slowly I realized that I wanted to be part of the amazing culture that had invited me in. I have been with Schell Brothers for six years and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?GRACE: This is my favorite question. I love that I get to connect with people from all over the United States (and sometimes overseas) to help them transition to their next stage in life. The average person either never builds a new home—or builds only once in their lifetime—so matching people with their ideal community is a responsibility I don't take lightly. It's like putting together a giant puzzle. Along the way, I learn about the customer's needs, wants, and can't-livewithouts.

As a sales manager, I loved being part of the community story and helping to bring homeowners together. Many people are moving from places where they have lived for 20+ years, so change can be very scary. One of their biggest fears is being able to make friends and establish connections in a new place. In sales, our job isn't just to find the right house, but to bring a group of people together and facilitate a sense of community and belonging. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see past homeowners getting together, experiencing the area, and developing lifelong friendships. To me, that's what creating happiness is, and I am proud to have a small role in the process.

JOSH: I love helping people make their dream home a reality. Meeting someone and getting to know their story, the things that aren’t working in their life, what they envision for themselves in the future, and then matching them to the best home and community is a great privilege. When I see the look on someone’s face after it all comes together, there is no better feeling.

YOU RECENTLY BUILT A HOME. WAS IT DIFFICULT CHANGING GEARS FROM BEING AN EMPLOYEE TO A CLIENT?GRACE: YES. Being on the other side of the table gave me a deep appreciation for the process. Since we had both been in the business for a while, we thought we had everything figured out. When we got to the design day, we quickly realized that we had a lot more to think about. If Josh had his way, everything would be stainless steel, clean, and warm, light colors. I can be a little bolder in my choices, so finding a happy medium included some lively back and forth. Who knew a shower floor tile would bring on so much deep thought? It was a great experience for us both and, through it all, we promised to be true customers. We followed all the rules, attended required meetings, and corresponded via Heartbeat. We immersed ourselves in the experience and are so thankful for our Schell home.

JOSH: It was! Being on the other side of a purchase gave me a greater appreciation for all the team members that are part of the Schell Brothers purchase journey. Attending a design appointment, meeting our construction manager at the pre-con, and receiving a phone call and pictures every Friday of our build helped me realize how the Schell process is so different from other builders.

YOU CHOSE TO BUILD THE LILAC. TELL US WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT THIS HOME AND WHY YOU ENDED UP SELECTING IT.GRACE: We chose the Lilac for its livability and the way it could grow with us. When we built the home, it was just the two of us and our dogs, so the first floor felt like more than enough. We loved having guest rooms and extra living space upstairs for entertaining, but it never felt too big because our day-to-day life stayed mostly on the main level. Now that our family has grown, we’re incredibly thankful for the additional space. We opted for an owner's suite on each level, so we could eventually move closer to the kids while still enjoying a spacious bedroom. The Lilac has adapted beautifully to each new chapter of our lives while still giving us space to host and entertain. It’s truly a home that works at any stage of life, and we’re grateful we chose such a flexible floor plan.

FAVORITE ROOM IN THE HOUSE? ANY FEATURES YOU HIGHLY RECOMMEND?GRACE: I love our loft area. It’s one of my favorite spaces in the house and has become our primary entertainment room and playroom—perfect for movie nights or just letting the kids run wild. We maximized the space by choosing the second owner's suite option, and I can’t recommend that enough if you're looking to create a true additional living area. It makes the loft feel even more open and functional. Plus, the natural light that pours in makes it feel bright and happy all day long.

JOSH: I highly recommend the screen porch— it is such a versatile space. Our sons play out there when the weather is nice and it’s a great place for a happy hour drink with my wife!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AS A FAMILY?GRACE: Josh and I love heading out to the drive-on surf fishing beaches—even though I’ll admit, I’m only in it for the idea of fishing. Another weekend favorite is brunch at The Starboard. Our kids are pancake fanatics, and there’s nothing better than a big Dewey breakfast with the whole crew. It’s messy, loud, and full of laughs—just the way we like it.

JOSH: We like to get out of the house as much as possible. On one of our days off, we almost always head to Rehoboth to get coffee, along with treats for the boys, at Rise Up or Sugar & Thread. Then we walk along the boardwalk and hit the playground on Lake Gerar so the boys can run around while we relax.

LEWES OR REHOBOTH? WHY?GRACE: Rehoboth. For me, it’s all about nostalgia. My great-grandmother had a condo on Virginia Avenue, and some of my earliest memories are of mornings walking around Lake Gerar to grab the newspaper from 7-Eleven, or long beach days that stretched until sunset. Evenings meant trips to Playland, Funland, and soaking up the boardwalk magic.Now I love reliving those same moments with my own kids. We visit the boardwalk in every season—it’s a family tradition to take a holiday walk on the boards before heading off to dinner or family gatherings. In the summer, Funland and Zelky’s are non-negotiables, and we always share a giant tub of Thrasher’s fries. One of our favorite spots is a little secret ice cream shop on 1st Street called Double Dippers. Josh and I used to go there when we were dating, and now it’s a treat we share with the boys.

JOSH: Why pick just one, when we are so close to both? Lewes has amazing shops, restaurants, history, and Cape Henlopen State Park. Rehoboth has the boardwalk, shops, Funland for the boys, and our favorite: Thrasher’s fries.

IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE SCHELL IN ONE WORD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?GRACE: Rooted. I feel deeply connected to this company; it’s been a constant through every phase of my adult life, offering stability, growth, and unwavering support. I’ve built lasting friendships here. We’ve celebrated weddings, birthdays, holidays, and milestones. Schell has never felt like just a place to work. It’s where I’ve grown up, both personally and professionally.This company has given me the chance to play an active role in shaping the community I live in, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s more than a job; it’s purpose, it’s belonging, and, most of all, it's home.

JOSH: Family. I didn’t know what I was missing in my life until I started at Schell Brothers. The sense of belonging, inclusiveness, understanding, and love this place provides is off the charts. We had almost as many coworkers at our wedding as we did family members. That’s saying something.