Community Corner

Warminster Family Starts Green Business Enterprise

Dan 'the Mover' Mulhern and his wife, Alice, stock their new 2,000-square-foot Hatboro thrift store with goods from their moving business.

Dan Mulhern was tired of throwing away his time, money - and useable furniture and household goods.

Mulhern, who owns A & D Mulhern's Moving, last month opened the 2,000-square-foot Alice's Moving and Thrift on South York Road, where the Greater Hatboro Chamber of Commerce had most recently been housed.

Inside, the store is stocked with moving supplies like boxes and bubble wrap, as well as dressers, knick knacks and other unwanted items that Mulhern clears from homes during moves.

Find out what's happening in Warminsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It was more about us throwing so much stuff out," said Mulhern, of Warminster. "We felt so bad because all the stuff was ending up in landfills."

The store is manned by Mulhern, his wife, Alice, who also bides her time as a nurses aide, and their son, DJ, a senior at William Tennent High School. 

Find out what's happening in Warminsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Eventually, Mr. Mulhern said he envisions the front portion of his shop operating as a UPS of sorts where customers can come in and pay to pack and ship items with the goods that the business provides. 

Then, when people are ready to move, his boxes and other items - as well as his services as a mover - can come in handy. 

"We work hand-in-hand," Mulhern said.

By the same token, the Mulherns' next door business owner, Jim Presley of Presley's Affordable Thrift, said he welcomed the like retailer to the block.

"This is better for the businesses," Presley said of second-hand stores. "We're in the used business."

And they are not alone. Hatboro's shopping district is also home to consignment clothing retailers in the way of Second Fiddle, Closet Addiction and The Insatiable Shopper.Impact Thrift Store  blends the offerings of all, acting as a second-hand department store of sorts selling clothing, books, CDs, furniture, housewares and more. 

Similar to the Mulherns' offerings, other Hatboro used furniture retailers like Mr. Jim's  and The All Things Shoppe seem to be cashing in on others' unwanted household items.

Presley said it works to have so many like business in such a  small area because, unlike shops selling new goods, second-hand stores offer variety.

"When you find it, you're finding different stuff," Presley said. "I welcome it."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here