Frequently Asked Questions
About the Shop

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Where is the shop located?
Debra's Dolls is located just 3 miles off NJ Turnpike Exit 2 in historic Mullica Hill, NJ. The street address is 20 North Main Street. Easy directions are available by visit the OUR STORE page.

What can you tell us about the building?
The shop occupies three rooms of the Mullica House, built in 1704 by Eric Mullica & his bride Ann Catherine. It is one of the oldest houses in New Jersey, one of the few houses built by Finnish immigrants, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The name Mullica means "male calf" in the Finnish language. The house has a mustard painted clapboard exterior with red trim and shutters, a cedar roof, and is surrounded by gardens. Inside, you can view the original exposed wood ceiling, beams, white washed brick walls, and some original pine flooring. For a brief history of Mullica Hill, enter here. 

Does the shop have any ghosts?
Debra's Dolls has recently been investigated by South Jersey Ghost Research, and voice recordings and photographs were successfully obtained by the group.  More information will be posted once SJGR provides us with the official report on the other-wordly "inhabitants" of Debra's Dolls.

Is the shop haunted?
According to a recent investigation by South Jersey Ghost Research Debra's Dolls is home to several ghostly inhabitants. Visit the Our Store page for more info.

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What events are held at the shop?
What events are held at the shop?
Debra's Dolls hosts a Spring & Fall Open House annually. Specific themes, dates, and attractions are subject to change. For more information on upcoming events, visit our Events page.

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Where do you live?
For 7 ½ years, we enjoyed living above the shop. However, due to space constraints, we purchased a second historic home in Mullica Hill in late 2003 and now live around the corner from the shop. Currently four rooms of the shop showcase dolls for sale, and the remainder of the building houses additional inventory, dolls on layaway, and dolls that are here for restoration services. Our relatives and close friends (and clients) also use the building as a guest house when they visit. The historic building is occasionally available for private tours. (Contact Debra for details).

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Are these your dolls?
Yes. I am the owner of Debra's Dolls, and I own the vast majority of dolls in inventory. A very small percentage of dolls in stock are on consignment.

Is selling dolls the only thing that you do for a living?
Yes. Debra's Dolls has been my full-time job since 1995.

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When is the shop open?
Debra's Dolls is open from 12 noon until 4 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays. Convenient daytime and occasionally evening appointments are also available. Debra’s Dolls is always closed for vacation during the month of August and during the week of Thanksgiving.  Do check the Home Page of our web site for updates on our shop hours.
Why is your store only open 12 hours a week?
Due  to my children’s varying school and activity schedules, and due to the fact that I have no employees aside from Doll Doctor Andrea, currently Debra’s Dolls is only open 12 hours weekly.  Our store hours are 12-4 Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  If you would like to visit the store but find these hours to be inconvenient, Debra’s Dolls is open by appointment only on other days of the week.  Please schedule all appointments in advance; same-day appointments are rarely available.  Do note that our shop’s telephone line also rings at our home (which is in the same town), so feel free to call or email anytime with questions.  If I am in the store or at home, I will answer your call or reply to your email within a timely manner. 

Does the store ever close for vacation?
Debra’s Dolls is closed during the month of August and during the week of Thanksgiving every year, for vacation.  The store is also typically closed over the Christmas holiday.  Do check the Our Store page for updated schedule changes. 

Are you available to speak about antique dolls at my doll club or organization?
Occasionally, Debra Gulea gives lectures at UFDC affiliated clubs. A favorite topic is antique wax dolls. Debra also hosts Doll Club Meetings at the shop, free of charge. Debra Gulea provides the program and refreshments. Contact Debra if your club is interested.

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Why should I visit the shop in Mullica Hill, NJ?
Debra's Dolls is the best place to buy an antique doll. Though you can view our current offerings and buy with confidence from our web site, a visit to the shop is a fun and relaxing way to purchase an antique doll. Because the shop occupies three rooms of our house, the atmosphere here is comfortable, and you can sit at a table and take all the time you'd like examining and contemplating your purchases. Let Debra demonstrate how to inspect dolls for damages and repairs using a black light, fluorescent light, and magnifying lens. Bring a doll you'd like to dress, and spend the day playing with our large selection of antique doll clothing & accessories (most of which is not shown on the web site). In addition to Debra's Dolls, there are over 30 antiques and specialty shops and multi-dealer antiques centers in Mullica Hill, all within walking distance on Main Street. Most of the shops are located in 18th & 19th century buildings and structures. For more information on historic Mullica Hill, visit the Mullica Hill web site.

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Where is Mullica Hill, NJ?
Mullica Hill, NJ is located where Routes 322 & 45 meet, just 3 miles east off NJ Turnpike Exit 2, at the southwest edge of New Jersey. From Route 295 take Exit 11. From Route 55 take exit 50B. Mullica Hill is just 30 minutes from either Wilmington, DE or Philadelphia, PA, and only 2+ hours from Washington, D.C. or New York City. Cape May and Atlantic City, NJ are each just over an hour away, as is Adamstown, PA (in Lancaster County) and Baltimore, MD. For directions to Mullica Hill, enter here.

What is there to do in the Mullica Hill area?
In addition to the fine shops in Mullica Hill, NJ, there are many other great travel destinations in the area. Make sure you visit the Winterthur Museum in Delaware, where you can find the world's premiere collection of decorative arts. The Philadelphia Museum of Art (Debra's personal favorite) is one of numerous first rate museums in the city. The Franklin Institute Science Museum is a great place for kids. Avid gardeners, Debra & her husband also highly recommend a trip to Longwood Gardens. For a great selection of antiques in New Jersey, choose from Lambertville or Cape May (where you can also spend the day on the beach). In Pennsylvania, go to New Hope, Chadds Ford or Adamstown. For non-antique shopping, ask Debra about South Street or Manyunk, both in Philadelphia. For varied shopping and a taste of the Amish experience, visit Pennsylvania Dutch Country in Lancaster, PA. Haddonfield, NJ is another great shopping destination. Though there are no hotels in Mullica Hill, there is one quaint bed and breakfast establishment, plus many restaurants to choose from. Lodging can be found in nearby Deptford and Cherry Hill, NJ.

What hotels are in the Mullica Hill area?
There are several major hotel chains in the vicinity of Mullica Hill, NJ. In Bridgeport, NJ choose from the Hampton Inn or the Holiday Inn Select. Both hotels are located off Exit 10 from Rt. 295 & just 9 miles from town). In Deptford, NJ there is the Fairfield Inn and the Marriott Residence Inn, which are both 14 miles from Mullica Hill & located off Exit 58 from Rt. 55.

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 Still have a question? Email Debra.

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