Hatboro Business Turns Trash to Treasure

One man’s trash is another man’s … work of art.

That’s the hope of Mike Whalen, the owner of , who, for the last two months, has been spending after hours transforming scrap metal into functional art.

“We’re just coming up with a couple of different abstract pieces,” Whalen said of the sculptures. “We don’t throw away anything. We recycle.”

But, instead of melting the scrap pieces into new material, Whalen said crafting the art projects of sorts saves a step. 

Whalen envisions scrap metal being used to generate functional pieces too, in the form of park benches and bike racks for the borough.

Hatboro Main Street Manager Stephen Barth said the scrap metal pieces tie in nicely with the borough’s strategic plan, which calls for the addition of sculptures. Since Hatboro did not have money to purchase the artwork, Barth said he approached Whalen about donating his time to make them.

“I’m trying to bring a little culture,” Barth said.

Some of that culture may be on display, and available for purchase at on July 28. Whalen said proceeds from those sales would help for the borough’s 200-year-old clock tower.

“This is an important part of the town and the public needs to be aware of its historic relevance,” Whalen said.