New Main Street antique shop boasts one-of-a-kind bargains

Jul 24, 2017

A new business has opened its doors on Main Street, offering everything from paintings of Jesus to skeleton clown figurines.

Bert’s Bargain Shop opened for business July 12, run by Bert Mullin, an antique connoisseur. Mullin had three booths of wares at the Cranberry Flea Market for ten years and recently decided it was time to move his hobby to a storefront.

The antiques shop, located at 187 Main Street, is the product of Mullin’s many trips to cleanouts and auctions. He cleans houses, particularly basements and attics, in exchange for items he finds.

Mullin said he usually hunts for “different stuff, stuff you don’t see every day.” He asks customers what items they like or are searching for and keeps a list of them: birdhouses, angel pictures, glass pot, fishing gear.

Mullin has help at the shop with his wife, daughter and 10-year-old grandson helping out. But although the store is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Mullin refers to the store as a hobby, not his full-time job. He washes dishes at The Riverside Cafe next door.

“I tell people to have breakfast at the Riverside and then stop over here afterwards and take a peek,” Mullin said.

Today, Mullin has cassette tapes, VCRs, a typewriter and a few clothes in the store. But “next time you come in, it might look different," he said. He adds new items weekly and is also considering selling Donald Trump shirts based on a request from a customer.

Mullin's items are priced to sell and he is happy to help make things affordable.

"People don't have to go by the price on the item," Mullin said.

He plans on keeping the shop open for as long as it continues to make people happy.

“It’s like a bug once you start doing it,” Mullin said.

For more information, visit Bert's Bargain Shop on Facebook.