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Local Moving Service Specializes In Helping Seniors

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Around 10,000 Americans will turn 65 Wednesday.

That statistic is what put a new Twin Cities business into motion.

BoxElder Services comes from a long-time family business. The son of the company's founder noticed after years of moving that the needs of a lot of seniors who were downsizing -- whether moving to a condo or an assisted-living home -- are different.

A new service is trying to meet those needs. It's one of several senior relocation services in the Twin Cities, including Rose's Daughters.

Mary Ann Fallon of Minneapolis is in the thick of it. She is going from decades of living in a two-bedroom condo to renting a one-bedroom apartment.

"I haven't slept much. Get up at 3 o'clock in the morning and say, 'Is the dresser going to fit?'" Fallon said.

Her friend, Robin Keyworth, suggested a moving company she has used.

"Twice to move elderly mothers who were downsizing, and once [to] move ourselves," Keyworth said. "[I] trust them."

Nick Franta's father started the company in 1994.

"Over the years we've moved seniors, hundreds of them, and we've always seen a need to have more of a senior-specific moving company," Franta said.

So just a few weeks ago, Nick, his wife Wendy and his father launched BoxElder. They provide people to pack, organize and help purge years' worth of stuff.

"Getting things of theirs to relatives across the country, maybe shipping things in to a consignment store for them, or disposing of things," Franta said.

BoxElder will also video conference with family members who live away via FaceTime or Skype so they can be part of the consultation to decide what needs to go and what needs to stay.

The company tries to take the responsibility off of family in what can be an emotional time.

Fallon's son, David, came in for the big day from New York.

"We were able to kind of come in late in the process rather than right from the beginning," David Fallon said.

Franta says all the hard work pays off on many levels.

"We've actually moved them in, set them up, hung their pictures, hooked up their computer and now they're home and you can see the smile on their face," Franta said.

After all, home is supposed to be where you rest.

"When you have people like that, it makes a huge difference," Mary Ann Fallon said.

The company launched Jan. 1, and the owner says they have already had a big response. They will serve people all over the metro and into Wisconsin.

Click here for more information on BoxElder.

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