| The home storage industry is experiencing a | | | | Another plus, especially if you do not visit |
| recent Renaissance. It seems that most every | | | | your storage unit very often, it is unlikely |
| day someone comes out with a new and clever | | | | you will experience a climate related |
| way to hang something, box something or store | | | | accident such as freezing of water damage. If |
| something. The most recent improvement has | | | | the roof is leaking in these storage centers, |
| been in long term storage which is also | | | | someone will notice. If the roof is leaking |
| climate controlled storage. | | | | in a single storage bays of a free standing |
| | | | self storage center, no one would notice |
| There is a growing trend in markets large and | | | | until you arrived and opened the door. |
| small to convert former grocery stores or | | | | |
| other vacant retail space into secure, | | | | Another plus of these next generation storage |
| climate controlled storage centers. This new | | | | centers is many will offer high security |
| market model is a win-win for everyone. Strip | | | | storage. This is usually a section within the |
| mall owners are able to get long term leases | | | | storage center that is well secured, with |
| on retail space that was sitting idle. The | | | | heavier locks on doors, better video |
| self storage center is able to get a great | | | | monitoring and often manned by a security |
| price on existing space that is already under | | | | guard 24/7. These are well suited for the |
| roof and has HVAC. Plus,can be converted less | | | | storage of valuable antiques or works of art. |
| expensively to storage units then if they | | | | While not inexpensive, this level of storage |
| were starting from scratch. The big winner | | | | goes for a fraction of what high end, |
| is the self-storage consumer. | | | | all-climate storage used to cost. |
| | | | |
| Since these new storage centers are in retail | | | | The only down side to these new storage |
| areas they tend to be more conveniently | | | | centers, especially those that are just |
| located than newer, free-standing self | | | | getting started, they do not offer the same |
| storage centers. Because the overhead is | | | | access that the more mature free standing |
| lower the rates for individual storage units | | | | self storage centers offer. |
| are often less expensive per square foot. | | | | |
| These centers also offer a wider variety of | | | | Because there are now more options then ever |
| space options since not all of their storage | | | | for self storage, including the new portable |
| units are the same cookie-cutter size. This | | | | on demand storage solutions, rates have been |
| is really handy if you have something that is | | | | stabilizing and in some cases actually coming |
| over sized or an odd shape that needs to be | | | | down. You would be well advised to shop |
| stored. The biggest plus is this new | | | | around for the best pricing, especially if |
| generation of climate controlled storage is | | | | you are looking for a long term contract. |
| an added level of security. | | | | Self service center owners are less likely to |
| | | | give a price break to someone who will only |
| The converted retail stores to self storage | | | | be there for a few months, but will often cut |
| centers have limited access, either through | | | | deals better than the printed price sheet for |
| the front doors or the shipping bay doors. | | | | someone looking at a multiple year lease. |
| These are easy to monitor both by humans and | | | | |
| by video security cameras. This is much | | | | Before you sign any long term contract, be |
| better that hundreds of feet of chain length | | | | sure to read it carefully and insist on a job |
| fence - often with blind spots that are not | | | | change or emergence "escape" clause. If you |
| monitored - and the risk of someone breaking | | | | suddenly get transferred or have something |
| into your storage unit undetected. | | | | else unforeseen occur, you don't want to end |
| | | | up paying for years on an empty storage unit. |