--- title: Our History Since 1941 | O'Brien's Moving & Storage url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/history/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [About O'Brien's: a third-generation Sparks moving family](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/) - Since 1941: the O'Brien's story from Sierra Street to Glendale Ave # Since 1941: the O'Brien's story O'Brien's started in 1941 in a small garage on Sierra Street in Reno and joined Bekins Van Lines in 1955. Today it runs from 2277 Glendale Ave in Sparks, led by the third generation of the family. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) The company's history is told in the photos that hang in the office: a 1940s truck lettered for Reno with a four-digit phone number, the owners in front of a Cadillac in 1969, and a plaque from Bekins marking 65 years of service. ## 1941: a garage on Sierra Street Harry and Bernice O'Brien started the business in a small garage on Sierra Street in Reno. Harry, known as the Smiling Irishman, gave the company its name and its Irish lettering, which still runs across the O'Brien's logo today. An early truck from the 1940s was lettered "O'Brien's - Reno - Dial 2-7221", from the days when a Reno phone number had a word prefix and four digits. ## 1955: joining Bekins Van Lines In 1955 O'Brien's joined the Bekins Van Lines family. Bekins was founded in 1891, and as a Bekins agent O'Brien's could move Northern Nevada customers anywhere in the country through the Bekins network. The agency has continued ever since, and in 2019 Bekins recognized O'Brien's for 65 years of service. ## Glendale Ave in Sparks After the company moved to 2277 Glendale Ave in Sparks, Sean O'Brien began running it. The Sparks site holds the office, the truck yard and a 30,000 square foot warehouse with wooden storage vaults. ## The third generation Sean's sons Tim, Luke and Joe are the third generation of the family in the business. More than 80 years after the garage on Sierra Street, O'Brien's is still family owned and still answers its own phone. ### Licensed movers U.S. DOT No. 30611 MC-109375 Nevada CPCN 1070 Cal PUC T-90973 (as published by O'Brien's) Bekins Van Lines interstate agent since 1955 [Check our USDOT record](https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=30611) · [Ready to Move? (FMCSA)](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/ReadytoMoveBrochure_2022Update.pdf) [Licenses and authority](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Keep reading - [About O'Brien's: a third-generation Sparks moving family](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/) - [Bekins Van Lines agent since 1955: what that means for your move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/bekins-agent/) - [Bekins awards and recognition](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/awards/) - [O'Brien's through the decades](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/gallery/history/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Who founded O'Brien's? Harry and Bernice O'Brien founded the company in 1941 in Reno. Harry was known as the Smiling Irishman. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) M Mark S. January 22, 2026 Great company and local. They take great care of your moving needs. They are very accommodating and quick to respond. Highly recommend them for your moving needs and storage needs. Thanks to the O'Brien team for doing a fantastic job. D Debbie G. October 17, 2025 Both movers were courteous, efficient and very carful with my furniture. Also, talking with Janet over the phone was a pleasure. L Laurie I. September 28, 2025 The two employees showed up on time and were very polite and ready to work. Our quote was 8 hours and they finished in 5 hours. Office staff checked in prior to move and confirmed all details and check in after move to make sure everything was taken care of. Would use this company again for sure! ### Owner's reply Laurie, Thank you for the awesome review! We are glad to hear everything went smoothly, and you were satisfied with the service. We want to also thank you for your business we appreciate you! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070