Crutchman, a Gloucester store specializing in truck accessories, spray-in bedliners, outdoor furniture, buildings and gazebos and gift items, has recently undergone some building renovations, including a new façade.
The business, located on Route 14 in the building that once housed the Old Mill Skating Rink, is owned by Don Crutchman Jr.
The Old Mill Skating Rink building dates to 1900. Before the skating rink opened in 1939 as a popular hangout spot to go roller skating and bowling, it was used as a storehouse for the adjacent Cow Creek mill.
Crutchman Motor Corporation was founded in 1980 by Crutchman’s father, Don Crutchman Sr. At the time, the business had only one location, in Denbigh. It sold truck accessories and it also was a small car lot. He started working for his dad in 1987, and started running the family business after his father passed away in 1989. Crutchman has owned the Gloucester location since 2007, when his uncle, Jeff Whitt, sold it to him. Whitt owned it from 1989 to 2007 and operated the Gloucester Emporium there.
Whitt reminisced about the old concession area, the seven-lane bowling alley, the pool tables, and the skating rink that was upstairs.
“It was an experience when I was here,” said Whitt.
Crutchman has been doing renovations section by section since he bought it. Over $400,000 went towards the repairs of the building. The old concession area has been replaced with offices, the lane bowling alley now holds outdoor furniture, the upstairs is overflow for outdoor furniture and a gift shop is in place of the old pool tables.
“It was such a pleasure working with [Gloucester] Codes and Compliances. They were very helpful,” said Crutchman.
Changes made include an upgrade to the front of the building, new storefront windows, a brand-new roof, new medal sidings, new mailboxes, extra support in the floor, added offices, a new porch, a garage for installation of truck accessories, which is on the right side of the building, and a garage for a spray-in bed liner booth in the rear of the building.
The upstairs where the old skating rink was is still awaiting repairs of its own as well as the left side of the building. The skating rink area is currently filled with overflow of outdoor furniture.
Crutchman said that it looks exactly the same as it did back then and the old disco lights still work.
