Shopping

Demand grows for New Hope-based concierge service during health crisis

Kelleen Gebler after a recent “Go-To Concierge” shopping trip.

Kelleen Gebler had already been grocery shopping for busy professionals and elderly locals. But she never expected to be doing it in a mask and a replica Top Gun jet pilot suit.

Gebler, a New Hope resident, had been working multiple jobs since moving back to Bucks County from the South in 2013. In 2018, she started Go-To Concierge, a “personal assistant and errand service company” that offers task running, organization and relocation services amongst other things.

“I already was grocery shopping for clients,” Gebler said. “But when the quarantine began, my clientele became a bit more family-based, especially those with children who have asthma or other medical conditions. That group began reaching out in greater numbers.”

Gebler was formerly an office manager and community outreach coordinator for Dr. Eric Pirrone, who has an office in Logan Square, which indirectly led her to found the New Hope Run Club in 2017. These various endeavors enabled Gebler to quickly adapt during the trying times that the quarantine brought.

Jacob, Kelleen’s son, acts as chauffeur while she collects orders of flowers for Go-To Concierge delivery.

Fortunately, she has not had too many crazy local supermarket experiences during this time, but her business is not just about shopping for busy or high-risk households.

Her company has now evolved to hosting employee morale and team building events via Zoom in the format of a murder mystery get-together.

“I give the employees all of the characters for their event and then we all come together and use the clues,” she said.

Currently, Gebler is in talks with local battered nonprofits to utilize this platform as fundraising events—each character could potentially become a ticket. It was natural for her—she’s the treasurer of the Friends of the Free Library of New Hope & Solebury.

Go-To Concierge is also now offering Mother’s Day gift baskets, and in her spare time, Gebler makes time for the New Hope Run Club get-togethers, which are of course virtual now—every Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

“Reality is everyone needs to be kind right now,” she said. “We need to realize that we all still have the power to make decisions on how we handle all of this. I hope I’m helping others during this time and passing on kindness.”

Do you have a story about a local who has reimagined the way we work? Please comment on this article to let us know more.

About the author

Steve Chernoski

Steve Chernoski is a writer, film director and teacher who lives in Lambertville. Here's his website: http://stevechernoski.com.

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