The Storage Barn on Cold Soil Road in Lawrenceville is a bit of a misnomer. Lifelong Lawrence resident Bob Hullfish has 23 storage spaces in three locations on his property, plus a barn in the back. His storage facility is located just north of Lawrenceville’s Main Street district on the same property as his other business, Bob’s Auto Repair.
Hullfish bought the business from a friend in 2004, who started it in 1981. He offers basic storage in a wide variety of sizes from 8 foot by 10 foot to 20 foot by 20 foot, plus large garages. Rates range from $50 a month for a small space to $225 a month for a large garage. It is not climate controlled.
“On hot days, it is hot inside, and on cold days it is cold,” said Hullfish. “People buy a cubical and fill it with items “they can’t bear to get rid of.”
One of his customers is local decorator Julius Gross. He stores his supplies in one of the units, “but not paint thinners,” as Hullfish does not allow flammable chemicals to be stored in his facilities. Currently, he has “one teeny space open,” but that can change at any time.
In 1963, the septuagenarian purchased the building located on 15 Cold Soil Road in Lawrenceville for Bob’s Auto Repair when he was only 21 years old by borrowing money from his family to turn his dreams of owning an auto repair shop into a reality. His son Wayne continues to help him run the auto repair business.
Wayne explained, “he always was interested in cars. Race cars, field cars, he was interested in it in high school.” Bob’s brother became a college professor, and his sister a teacher, but “he wanted to be a mechanic.”
“My dad grew up on Van Kirk Road,” near Lawrenceville Main Street. “The year I was born,” Wayne said, “my parents bought this place. I was raised here. From the time I was a toddler, I’ve been here. I grew up next door [to the auto repair shop]. I could see my dad at work. He has a great work ethic. I’m very proud of him. He is probably the fairest person I know.” Wayne, too, has lived his entire life in Lawrenceville and went through the Lawrence school system.
In the early days, Bob worked 10-12 hours a day five days a week. They lived in the house by the shop. “Mom could make dinner and shout and the window. She always took care of us with a hot dinner.”
In the early days, their location also had a gas station, with Wayne pumping gas to earn some extra money in his youth. “It was my main source of income from 12 years on.” Now they shop is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Wayne adds most of their customers come from within a two-mile radius of the shop based on word of mouth. “I will keep doing this as long as I can. Our customers are great people. Most end up shooting the breeze. My dad’s friends come in. We have long-term customers. We have a small town feel.”
The Storage Barn and Bob’s Auto Repair, 15 Cold Soil Road, Lawrenceville. (609) 896-0146
,
