abc-logo
Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

Please submit form to schedule a

Personal Care Consultation

Local Magic Personal Care Consultation

Please submit this form below and we will chat shortly!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Home Care In Merchantville, NJ

Home Care Merchantville, NJ

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Griffith Morgan House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Merchantville, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Merchantville, NJ

location Service Areas

The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”

No P.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Very easy to work with and set up care plan for my mother.”

Cathy G.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“The service is excellent. The staff is really great. I love Working with Always Best Care because they take care of their employees. They work with you to see what hours you could work. When ever I have a emergency and I can not make it they find coverage. They give cases that are most of the time good with you. They work around my schedule. I love Working with ABC.”

NellyDreamer L.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Fabulous team to work with. The best care senior service to work with. Especially Kendra, she is always available and always willing to help anyway she can and will go out of her way to make the patient and family’s experience 100x better. When our families are looking for additional care I know I can count on Always Best Care, to always give their very best. Big thank you to Kendra, Kerry and staff.”

Jessica S.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has provided 24 / 7 Live in care for my mother. They have taken very good care of my mother and I look forward to them continuing my mother’s care.”

StevenC
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”

Kaw-Reen A.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”

Korrine C.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”

Korrine A.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”

Korrine B.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Fabulous team to work with. The Best of the Best...... We know that when we refer our families to this "Wonderful" Company that they will take exceptional care of our clients.... Thank you Tammi, Kerri, Kendra and staff..”

Lisa C.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“They are phenomenal!! Took great care of my not so easy Mom. They have ur back!!”

Rochelle V.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Great team to work with!!”

Robert E.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I would like to recommend Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater South Jersey.. a Veteran and Woman owned Company.”

Jim H.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Merchantville, NJ?

lm-check

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

lm-check

When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

lm-check

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

lm-check

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Merchantville, NJ

Types of Elderly Care in Merchantville, NJ

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Merchantville, NJ
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Merchantville, NJ
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Wellwood park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Merchantville, NJ
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Park Place Café & Restaurant or visit Pennsauken Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Merchantville, NJ

Benefits of Home Care in Merchantville, NJ

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

Request More Information vector

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Merchantville, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Merchantville, NJ

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your NJ's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Merchantville, NJ

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Merchantville, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Merchantville, NJ

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Merchantville, NJ

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Oasis at Crescent
  • Cadbury At Cherry Hill
  • Arden Courts - ProMedica Memory Care Community (Cherry Hill)
  • Brandywine Living at Moorestown Estates
  • Stone Gate At St Stephens
  • Next Journey Sober Living
Home Care Merchantville, NJ

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Merchantville, NJ

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

lm-right-arrow
01

A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

lm-right-arrow
02

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

lm-right-arrow
03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Merchantville, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Merchantville, NJ

Latest News in Merchantville, NJ

Merchantville pop-up market becoming a regular stop for shoppers and sellers

MERCHANTVILLE - On a Saturday in late January, the town's old post office is filled with seemingly unrelated merchandise: Black Forest cake, knit hats, bargain jewelry and secondhand finds.But chats among the crafters and direct-sales retailers at the town's new pop-up market reveal many common threads: They're following creative passions, making a career switch, seeking flexible work to stay home with kids, or all of the above.The scene inside 22 N. Centre St. is just a microcosm of the community Ryan Middleton hopes to encour...

MERCHANTVILLE - On a Saturday in late January, the town's old post office is filled with seemingly unrelated merchandise: Black Forest cake, knit hats, bargain jewelry and secondhand finds.

But chats among the crafters and direct-sales retailers at the town's new pop-up market reveal many common threads: They're following creative passions, making a career switch, seeking flexible work to stay home with kids, or all of the above.

The scene inside 22 N. Centre St. is just a microcosm of the community Ryan Middleton hopes to encourage in Merchantville.

Middleton, a Texas native who moved to town six years ago, has purchased four buildings on his block, including the post office.

"Hopefully, if I try to build this pocket of town, it will help the rest of the town," he said.

Like many of the merchants who rent pop-up space for $20 a day, Middleton is taking an unconventional career path.

The 43-year-old former city planner became a real-estate investor and landlord when he moved to South Jersey. His wife, Haddon Township native Stephanie Middleton, works for the Camden County Library System while Ryan is home for the kids.

If not for the Texas twang, no one in South Jersey would question Ryan Middleton's roots. He raises chickens in his backyard, sits on his town's green committee and exudes down-to-earth community cred.

Middleton's neighborhood-level vision hit a wall, though, when he pursued a master's degree in architecture.

"Everything they taught was about design, not about the customers or people using the building," he said.

Growing up in Frisco, Texas, near Dallas, Middleton learned from his father Bill's example.

"I think I always had a connection to community. My dad was involved in Little League."

Bill Middleton, 69, now spends half the year in Merchantville, living in one of his son's apartments and helping out with building rehab.

There's plenty to keep him busy among Ryan Middleton's four North Centre Street properties, which house eight apartments and three businesses: Community Sports Shop, Merchantville Antiques and Salvage, and holistic healing spot Spirit to Sole Connection.

Middleton acknowledges that his purchase of the post office, which most recently was used as a warehouse for an architectural bookseller, was a heart-over-head decision.

"I've been in love with the building since we moved here," he said.

Story continues after gallery

The 4,500-square-foot open-concept main floor is full of charm, potential and projects. Middleton said it will take him 10 to 15 years to turn a profit on the century-old property he bought for $215,000 in November.

"I want this building to be a multi-use community space," he said.

The main floor would make an ideal rental hall for all types of events, Middleton said. The old loading dock could be used as a stage for live music.

"One of my biggest goals is to bring in a commissary kitchen for bakers and pop-up restaurants, and caterers could use the kitchen to have an event in that space."

But that will take money, time and zoning variances. The post office building is currently approved only for retail use.

Make that Ryan's Retail: Middleton launched his pop-up business model under that name when he started inviting crafters, bakers and others to rent tables.

It just started as an idea for the holidays, but the temporary sales have become a regular thing. The front room of the building will house merchants from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday starting in February. Saturdays and Sundays feature an expanded roster of sellers, plus kids' activities such as a craft table and movies projected onto a large open wall.

Middleton knew a number of the sellers from Merchantville Market Off Centre, the farmers market he's run as a volunteer for the past five years.

"I figured there's not anywhere they can be right now in the winter. Let them have a place to sell."

Now that the pop-up space is building momentum, Middleton figures he'll keep it going indefinitely, and will work around the farmers market schedule once it resumes in the spring.

Tara Senski, who will take one of the Wednesday-through-Sunday slots at the pop-up space, only started her baking business a few weeks ago.

She launched Tara's Cozy Kitchen by selling to friends, family and acquaintances, but she's looking forward to more exposure.

"I think it's definitely going to be a plus," she said of the Merchantville market . "Hopefully getting in front of more people will expand things a bit."

Senski, of Browns Mills, has to travel to a commercial kitchen in Trenton to make her cakes, pies, scones and macarons. So if Middleton is able to bring a kitchen into the post-office building, he'd have at least one interested baker.

For now, Senski is just looking forward to the opportunity to promote her business and network.

"I'm a self-taught baker coming from the medical field. So I am just looking at, what can I do to be where I want to be?"

The pop-up space is also offering opportunity to crafters such as Megan Grace, who recently moved to Merchantville from Pennsauken.

Her pom-pom-topped hats, scarves and just-for-fun items like chicks and dice are woven purely from Grace's imagination, not a Pinterest board. She'll customize creations for buyers who want to order a hat with specific colors, or choose their own pom-pom.

Graceful Knit Knots has been a lifesaver for the stay-at-home mother of three — both as a source of income and for support in her recovery.

"Knitting helped me get sober," Grace said. "You get to do something with your hands. It's a better addiction, I guess."

She reaches out to others who might be in need with a chalkboard message at her table: "#KnittingForSobriety. Ask me how." Grace would like to hold community meetings for those in recovery at the old post office.

She also sets up at the Merchantville farmers market, but appreciates the character of the indoor venue.

"I really like the old-town vibe, the history of it. It makes me excited being there," said Grace, adding. "I did all my Christmas shopping there."

Middleton asks merchants to help promote the market on social media — he even includes it as a requirement in their rental contract.

Grace has embraced the social networking with posts that promote her business and the market as a whole.

Her little ones are ambassadors, too: On a recent Saturday, Grace Nairn, 4; and sister Abbie, 3, dashed between her display and Samantha Wilbur's rack of Lularoe clothes at the other end of the room.

They picked up colorful leggings and showed them off to shoppers as Wilbur explained why having a physical space is important for her business.

"Some people might say 'I really like this but I'm too scared to wear it,'" Powell said of the Lularoe line's bright colors and patterns.

Wilbur, who runs the business called Jerzey Girlz Boutique with her partner, Stephanie Powell, encourages shoppers to try on clothes in her portable dressing booth — which has a mirror strategically located on the outside.

"If you like that pattern, own it," she encourages her customers. "Don't be afraid."

Sherry Flintosh, another vendor at the pop-up market, started Memom's Crafts to be more available for her grandson with special needs.

She sells scarves, ice-cream-pint holders, wine-glass lanyards and other crocheted items directly across from Graceful Knit Knots. But the crafters say they complement each other rather than compete.

"I love it," said Flintosh, of Mount Laurel. "Everyone is supporting each other."

Other businesses include gourmet pet food, Paparazzi jewelry and Scentsy products. They could be described as vendors, but Middleton doesn't think that has the right connotation.

"I don't like that word, " he said. "I like the word 'merchants.' We're Merchantville."

Middleton describes himself as an investor who seeks rewards beyond financial gain.

"I'm not a property flipper."

Standing on the loading dock of the post office, Middleton acknowledges it would be simpler for him to just rent out all his properties as apartments. But the mix of residential and retail is what builds community.

"This being here helps those businesses," he said of the stores across the street, "and those businesses help this."

Middleton said he's already planned themed events for the pop-up space, such as a health fair in March, and possibly an indoor flea market down the road. Someone even asked about a psychic fair.

Though he eventually wants a steadier retail component in the spot, the pop-up market "gives people a place to go, hang out, shop and congregate," he said.

Middleton and his family live right across the street. When they moved in, the nearby storefronts only held a nail salon and a defunct yoga studio.

"My goal is to create an active downtown," Middleton said of his investments. "I also hope it encourages other people established here to invest. Why not invest in a property in town that's deteriorating if you have the financial means?"

While he acknowledges that at least for now, buying the post office is "still a big risk," he has no regrets.

"I love my life. I wouldn't trade what I built."

Sheri Berkery: @SheriBerkery; 856-486-2673; [email protected]

IF YOU GO

Ryan's Retail Market pop-up shop, 22 N. Centre St. in Merchantville, is open 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday throughout February. For updates on hours and other events, check facebook.com/ryansretail

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.