The Run Around, Inc., which operated a retail store out of the Roslyn Shopping Center from the early 1990s until January of this year, is still going strong, but in a slightly different direction.
“We’re not going to reopen a retail store, but the warehouse in Willow Grove is an ongoing business,” owner Henry “Hank” DeVincent said. “Customers have been devasted since we closed. I’m taking calls multiple times a day from people who’ve been with us for decades.”
The Willow Grove warehouse will continue its in-house production for a range of customers, including sports teams, corporate outfits like Comcast, and over 30 local high schools.
“We also have local organizations like Little League, clubs, and anyone who needs goods or uniforms,” DeVincent said. “We do custom teamwork for all the high schools. We partner with Under Armor, so we give the schools the same deal that colleges get.”
After 30 years at 1331 Easton Road, DeVincent, who runs the business with his brother, Rich, thought it was time to move on.
“Having a retail store is not the greatest kind of business model at this point. When our lease was up in January, with all the variables, including the expenses, it just didn’t make sense to resign,” he said.
The storefront was demolished earlier this year to make room for a 5,955 sf Wawa convenience store, which opens on Thursday, August 24. The good news is that the Run Around business continues to grow in spite of the change.
“We’ve increased our team sales every year, significantly. We deliver such a good service and we do it in a timely fashion. That’s been the main key: Deliver the products on time. A lot of people don’t do that,” DeVincent said, adding that he has gone as far as personal home deliveries for his clients over the years.
The former retail store at 1331 Easton Road in Roslyn
“After we first opened in 1982, we cut our teeth for a few years before we landed the first Roslyn location,” he said. “We had a good run.”
For more on the Run Around, you can visit their Facebook page and website.
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