Longtime Hardware Store Pegged As Top Moorestown Business

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown residents have shown strong support for local businesses and their willingness to “shop small” amid the coronavirus pandemic. So it should come as no surprise that a business that has had a strong Moorestown presence since 1923 has been nominated as a Moorestown Business of the Year.

“This gem of an in-town business served our community and surrounding towns with efficiency, inventory, safety and smiles,” said reader Anne Clark, who is a relative of owner Pete Bender. “The Benders and their team went above and beyond with their customer service.”

In her nomination, she recognized that all local businesses struggled to keep up with ever-changing restrictions and the statewide shutdown. She said that all Moorestown businesses did a fantastic job of serving the community during a difficult time.

As far as Moorestown Hardware is concerned, they worked around the clock, and are still doing so, to make sure residents have a local, safe place to shop for hardware and home improvement items.

They also sell outdoor and lawn supplies, propane, household cleaners, tremendous gifts, cards and food treats to seasonal gifts to keep our homes decorated.

“Not to mention their puzzles that kept many of us occupied at the beginning of the pandemic,” Clark said.

Bender bought the store in 2001, but it's had a presence in Moorestown for nearly 100 years. It opened as McChesney's Hardware on Main Street, but moved to Mill Street in 1975. It's small with the charm of an old-time hardware store.

It has an old soda machine inside and usually offers free popcorn on Saturdays, although that's been temporarily halted amid the pandemic. Bender said he has had to change the way he does business some, including instituting side-door pickup. People have called-in, emailed or sent photos of their orders via text message.

As a hardware store, they've been deemed essential and been able to remain there for customers throughout the pandemic.

"People tell us, 'this is my happy place,'" Bender previously told Patch. "That's awesome. At a time like this, it's nice to be part of that."

See related: Moorestown Hardware Feels Love From Town Amid Pandemic