Springport, Mich., resident Lauren Allen launched a charity in December from a self-storage unit at Albion U-Store in Albion, Mich. Aiding Communities Team of Springport (ACTS) provides donated clothing, diapers, baby formula, toys and more to families in need, according to the source. Allen started the program after receiving assistance from others during the holidays. Although she earned a degree in advanced manufacturing, welding and fabrication and was working as a welder, she decided to leave her job last year to spend more time with her daughter.

ACTS has enabled her to give back to her community. “It’s how I was raised. If someone does a good deed for you, you pay it forward to someone else and always do the right thing,” Allen said.

Donations are distributed from unit 1220 every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. by Allen and volunteers. Community members can take what they need for free, but limits are placed on baby food, diapers and formula due to high demand. Donations of goods are also accepted during this time, and cash donations can be made at the Albion U-Store office. The funds are used to cover the $130 rental fee on the current unit as well as toward upgrading to a larger one, which would allow Allen to expand the program.

ACTS spreads the word through its Facebook page. “We've had donations as far as Coldwater, Chelsea, Tecumseh, Lansing, Pinckney and Adrian,” Allen said. “Some days it's emotional for me because of how tightknit our community really is, coming together to support us.”

Although Allen’s husband, Jake, was skeptical of the project at first, he’s now involved, moving boxes and escorting people to the unit to pick up products. “We’re just like everybody else—we’re still struggling. It’s life, but we’re still young,” he said.

Albion U-Store operates 27 facilities in Michigan and Ohio under the Stop-N-Stor and U-Stor brands. The sites are managed by Berger Realty Group.

Source:
MLive, Woman Runs Charity Program From Albion Self-Storage Unit

The Australia self-storage market saw a 2.2 percent dip in occupancy in the second half of 2017, while rate per square meter increased 3.4 percent. New supply is opening across the country, and there are 50 new facilities in the pipeline. As a result, some submarkets will likely enter a phase of subdued occupancy and revenue.

The December 2017 Storage Index released by Urbis Pty. Ltd., which tracks self-storage demand, rental rates, occupancy and revenue along the East Coast of Australia and in Auckland, New Zealand, revealed that actual storage rates had increased by 3.4 percent over the preceding six months. (This is the rate paid by existing customers, not prevailing street rates for new renters.)

The observations from the field at my company, Kennards Self Storage, are that competition is biting hard and aggressive pricing is becoming commonplace. Indeed, our same-store analysis reveals our move-in rate is 0.7 percent lower than the same time last year. This is the first time move-in rates have fallen since we began analyzing this data.

The inevitable consequence of lower street rates will flow into the actual storage rate in time. It’s likely new-store revenue will also fall short of feasibility expectations. The accompanying table offers a closer look at occupancies year-over-year in five local markets.

The occupancy in Perth, at just 72 percent, deserves special mention, as it reflects the economic conditions in this uniquely positioned mining-reliant city. Having enjoyed a spectacular boom fueled by China’s interest in minerals, the mining investment fell away and the Western Australian economy reversed gears a couple of years ago.

The self-storage operators that previously enjoyed strong 95-plus percent occupancy and robust prices are now experiencing challenging times. Notwithstanding this, some local operators remain optimistic and continue to build new stores. Indeed, some within the city’s submarkets are reporting strong occupancies.

New Supply

In March, Urbis released its first “Self Storage Supply Tracker” report, which measures new facilities in planning or under construction across the major metropolitan markets of Australia and New Zealand. It showed that there were 50 new facilities in the planning or development stage, though that could prove to be an understatement.

Despite the warning signs, there’s plenty of interest for new investment in the sector. Funds are looking for a home, so prices for traditional asset classes have soared. Investors are climbing the risk curve to put their money to work. As a result, self-storage has received plenty of attention. Capitalization rates continue to strengthen for operating facilities. In addition, investors are taking the risk and building new sites.

On the surface, some projects have dubious economics. Several that have come across my desk to be rejected were later picked up by exuberant, hungry new investors. The counterweight to the supply surge is booming population growth, particularly in Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney. Australia and New Zealand remain exceptionally appealing places to live, so immigration levels are very high.

There’s much to be positive about in our region. While its seems inevitable that some submarkets will suffer sluggish performance until conditions restore, there are still growth opportunities. It’s a time to be cautious, and opportunities demand careful analysis. Sound site selection and appropriate scale are necessary for projects to flourish.

Sam Kennard is the managing director for Kennards Self Storage, which operates in Australia and New Zealand. Under his stewardship since 1994, the company has grown from 14 facilities to 90. Valued at more than $1.3 billion, the portfolio comprises 600,000 square meters of rentable space. Sam has extensive experience in business and property development, and has served on the board of the Self Storage Association of Australasia as well as for private companies. Kennards remains a privately owned family business, employing more than 250 people. For more information, visit www.kss.com.au.

About 15 years ago, I worked for a small start-up company whose specialty was computer repair, with a pickup and drop-off service for businesses. We purchased an old minivan with wood paneling from a local pizza-delivery shop and applied magnetic signs on the sides and back that proudly displayed our professional logo and phone number. I even had work shirts with that fancy logo.

One afternoon, the owner and I needed to buy supplies at the local wholesale warehouse. As we strolled up and down the aisles, I watched him grin and nod at every customer and employee. In one aisle, he helped a young woman with a child put something in her cart, and she was clearly grateful. When I told him that kind of kindness was unheard of, he said something I’ve never forgotten: “Service to others happens everywhere.”

About a week later, that young woman visited our repair store. When she needed her computer serviced, she looked for providers on Google and spotted our company. She said she hadn’t forgotten the man who helped her. His actions had said something about our company—that we were careful and helpful, and worth patronizing. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s still a customer!

Every day, we have an opportunity to make a positive impact in our community. Yes, it’s easy to do when we’re at our self-storage properties because we’re in our comfort zone. We know our facilities like the backs of our hands. But what about when we aren’t on site? Do we still have an opportunity to make a good impression? Absolutely!

Stand for Your Company

I’m privileged to work for a family-owned self-storage company. On more than a few occasions, I’ve had a meal with my regional manager and even his immediate supervisor. I’ve always been impressed by the way they treat servers. They have a manner that portrays compassion. I remember one time overhearing a server comment to a coworker, “I wish more of my tables were like that one there. They are so nice!”

The word represent means “standing for others.” When you put on your work shirt in the morning and head out the door, you stand for something greater than yourself. Take pride and let it be known that you work for XYZ Storage. As you shop for supplies, get your cup of coffee or fill your gas tank, it’s important to remember that you represent your company.

What if tomorrow’s self-storage prospect happens to be the person you just met or from whom you just bought something? I bet you’d be embarrassed if the person with whom you got upset at the coffee shop walked into your office that afternoon to rent a unit. What if the person you just cut off on the way back from the bank was the one who inquired about storing with you via e-mail that morning?

I’m not saying you need to bow to every person and give in to every request. I’m saying to treat others with the respect and courtesy you’d desire if you were the customer. Uphold your employer’s values and demonstrate integrity and honesty, even when you’re not at work.

Here’s an example of not standing for your company. I recently visited the local home-improvement store. As I was putting items in my cart, a young man asked if I worked there and could I cut a key for him? When I told him I wasn’t an employee, he told me he’d been waiting almost an hour for assistance after requesting it. Finally, an employee came down the aisle. When the customer asked about the key he needed, she said she had forgotten and gone to lunch. That, ladies and gentlemen, is not how you represent your brand.

Adhere to the Four Ps

To help me remember how to best represent my company, I follow the “Four P Principle.” I ask myself these four key questions every day:

• What will PROVIDE the greatest benefit to the customer? In other words, how I can differentiate my myself, my store and my company from competitors?
• What will PROMOTE my company to customers and the community? What do my interactions inside and outside of work say about my business?
• What will PRESENT to my potential and current customers that I take pride in my job and facility?
• What will PRODUCE the best end result for my store or company? What affect will (fill in the blank) have on my customers? My team? My company?

Let me leave you with this thought: Do and say what you must, but do it in a way that best represents who you are as an individual and tells those around you that the company you work for is the best in the business. Give a smile. Give a nod. Represent. You just never know who your next customer will be.

Kevin Lanning has been a facility manager for StorageMart since 2014. Founded in 1999 and based in Columbia, Mo., the company operates more than 200 self-storage properties across Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Kevin lives in Omaha, Neb., with his wife, Krystal. His outside interests include photography and woodworking. For more information, visit www.storage-mart.com.

The body of a 47-year-old man was found inside a self-storage unit in New Orleans this week. The discovery was made while the manager was conducting inventory on Wednesday at the facility on Tulane Avenue. The employee called 911 after noticing a foul odor emanating from the unit, according to the source.

New Orleans Police Officers opened the storage space and discovered the deceased. His identity and cause of death haven’t been released, the source reported.

Source:
WGNO, NOPD: Manager Finds Dead Body Inside Storage Unit on Tulane Ave.

Update 6/14/19 – Police have released the name of the person whose remains were found inside a garbage bin at Total Self Storage & Removals in Okleigh, Australia, and made an arrest in connection with the case. John Christianos, an artist from Melbourne, was shot twice before being wrapped in plastic and left in storage unit No. 404 for 17 years. John Spencer White, 63, pleaded guilty on Thursday to manslaughter in relation to the crime, which he claims was self-defense, according to a source.

White had hired Christianos to paint portraits of Sir Donald George Bradman, an Australian cricket player, and Gary Ablett Sr., a former Australian-rules footballer, to be sold at Memorabilia Headquarters, a sporting-collectibles store he owned in Melbourne. He also provided Christianos, whom he called an alcoholic with mental-health issues, a place to live. Christianos first lived at the Memorabilia store, then White arranged for living space at Bentleigh East boarding house. White’s offer of employment and housing was spurred by watching his own mother battle similar problems, he told the court.

The arrangement worked for a few months until the artist’s drinking made him irrational, said prosecutor Kevin Doyle. Christianos met with White on June 11, 2001, at a hotel for drinks. The pair then went to White’s business office where a scuffle ensued. Angry that he wasn’t getting enough work, Christianos became erratic and threatened to attack White with a knife. White, who was carrying a World War II-era handgun he had purchased for protection, shot Christianos twice, killing him.

“I was petrified. I pulled out a small handgun. I shot him,” he said in his confession to police.

White’s attorney, Philip Dunn, said his client panicked after the shooting. He transported the body to the storage unit he rented to store posters and other memorabilia. Once a missing-persons report was filed and police questioned White about Christianos’ whereabouts, White suggested the man might have committed suicide. Although White had stopped paying for the storage unit years ago, the remains weren’t discovered until the property was sold last year and the new owner began clearing the site.

White, the son of an alcoholic sex worker, was a ward of the state until he was 15, when he moved in with his mother and siblings. He took care of them for several years and was supporting them when the crime occurred, a source reported.

During court testimony, it was revealed that, while drinking, Christianos “had killed kittens and threatened to massacre shopkeepers,” according to a source. Retired antique dealer Max Engellenner, who knew both men, told the court White was trustworthy, reliable and honest. He also said Christianos was “Jekyll and Hyde, as soon as the devil drink got him. Towards the end ... he was out of control."

Christianos was characterized as a “roamer” in a court statement given by his sister, Victoria Christianos. Still, she had had hoped he’d show up one day. “The not knowing as each day passed broke my heart. I only wish John was here; I have so much to tell him,” she said.

White will be sentenced at a later date, the source reported.

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7/16/18 – Male human remains were found on Friday at a self-storage facility in Okleigh, Australia, a suburb of Melbourne. The body was wrapped in plastic and stuffed inside a garbage bin at Total Self Storage & Removals at 4 Milgate St. It was discovered by workers who’d been clearing the premises after the property was recently sold, according to several sources.

Police have identified the remains and deemed the death suspicious. The victim’s name hasn’t been released, but the next of kin have been notified and are assisting with the investigation, according to a source.

Police believe the man’s body could’ve been inside the bin for more than 15 years. “What we're looking at is what’s possibly a long-term decomposition of a body here, so we'll need to take a fair investigation to get to the bottom of it,” said Pixie Fuhrmeister, senior sergeant for the Victoria Police Department.

The bin was bound by straps and filled with grass, soil and straw. After scraping out the contents, workers noticed the body and called police.

Police have yet to identity the renter of the storage unit, but believe it hadn’t been accessed in years. The property owner has provided tenant records, but a number of the units have been abandoned, according to several sources.

Detectives plan to examine cold cases and missing-persons reports as part of the investigation, Fuhrmeister said. Police have temporarily closed the site during their investigation and are searching the entire property. So far, they haven’t found anything related to the discovery of the remains.

Total Self Storage & Removals was founded in 1987 by John and Katie Cornehls. The name of the new owner wasn’t disclosed.

Sources:
The Age, Human Remains Found in Storage Facility Bin Have Been There for Years
ABC News, Suspected Human Remains Found at Oakleigh South Warehouse In Melbourne's South
Stuff.com, Australian Police Identify Human Remains in A Wheelie Bin
9 News, Vic Artist's Killing was 'Self Defense'
The Age, Inside Storage Unit 404, a Body Lay Undiscovered for 17 Years

Bridge Storage and ArtSpace, a Richmond, Calif.-based self-storage operator specializing in art/music studios, is hosting a monthly showcase featuring local comedians. “Homegrown Comedy” is hosted by JD Arandia, who books a headliner and several other comics for each show. The events include an intermission, during which attendees are encouraged to visit the facility’s art gallery of works created by tenants, according to the source.

“There’s enough solid comics in the Bay Area to keep the monthly rotation fresh,” Arandia told the source.

Founded in 1995, Bridge Storage converted a sizable portion of its storage units into art and music studios several years ago. The management office doubles as a gallery. The facility also offers co-working and meeting spaces, a commercial kitchen, film studio, woodshop and an R&R Coffee outlet.

“It’s all about community and bringing people together from such diverse backgrounds,” owner Jeff Wright told the source.

The next “Homegrown Comedy” will be held on June 22 at 7:30 p.m., with headliner Mario "The Butcher" Montes. Admission is $10.

Source:
The Richmond Standard, No Joke: Comedy Nights Come to Richmond

The operators of Glades Road Self Storage in Boca Raton, Fla., are attempting to help local officials decide where to place a necessary emergency-communications tower and whether to build it as a single 400-foot structure or two shorter ones. Though the city and Palm Beach County officials appear to favor a shared plan for a single tower, the storage business has offered to donate part of its land for a 200-footer. The property already houses a 50-foot cell tower, according to the source.

The land was offered by Glades Road Principal Jeff Greenhawt, who’s also a vice president at Sunshine Wireless Co. Inc.

If officials decide to move forward on a single project, the city of Boca would pay about $3 million for the tower and the county would manage it, according to the source. The city recently voted in favor of pursuing the joint tower despite public requests for a delay. Those opposed to the collaboration have cited cost, light pollution and environmental issues as factors for concern.

The new tower or towers would be used exclusively for emergencies, the source reported. Any delay in building could negatively impact the community, according to deputy city manager George Brown. “It takes a year at least to build the tower, and a year-and-a-half [delay] would be detrimental to public safety,” he said during a recent meeting.

County commissioners are expected to review the matter on June 27.

Source:
WPTV, The Dilemma Over Proposed Emergency Communication Tower in West Boca Raton

The days of the Yellow Pages may be long gone, but that doesn’t mean every marketing campaign you launch for your self-storage facility has to prioritize digital strategies. Grassroots marketing can create local buzz around your business and solidify your role in the community. This leads to name recognition and more customers.

What exactly is grassroots marketing? It’s a community-level approach to target a small, specific group of potential renters. It works to spread your message naturally and has the side benefit of being a great way to better understand your market. For self-storage operators, the most attractive benefit is cost. This affordable approach eschews Facebook campaigns, billboards and magazine ads in favor of direct action, saving you serious money.

Since you’re targeting a specific audience, you want to give that group exactly what it wants. For example, let’s say you want to attract college students. Instead of generic ads designed to attract a large audience, create pointed messages about student discounts, free-pizza Fridays at your facility or deals on summer storage. The goal is to create advertising and content that’s relevant to the demographic you want to reach.

Finding Your Market

First, you need to determine who you’re trying to target. The answer isn’t the same for every storage location. Identify the best customer base to reach by looking at your community. Do you have a large military population? A college nearby? Lots of retirees? Many small-business owners? You should know who the longtime residents in the community are and which major groups comprise it.

Next, think about big events and festivals that take place in your area. Might they rely on self-storage? Go to your local bureau of tourism and chamber of commerce to learn about events where you might reach your audience. This can mean everything from networking for young professionals to street fairs for the whole town.

Finally, like Facebook pages and Instagram accounts associated with your audience. For example, if you’re in an “outdoorsy” town and are hoping to reach hikers, rock-climbers and backpackers who may want to store their gear with you, keep an eye on local clubs and small businesses that serve and host events for these groups.

Building Partnerships, Hosting Events

After you’ve thoroughly researched your target demographic, it’s time to connect with your community! Building partnerships with local businesses and charities is the perfect first step to establishing your facility as part of the neighborhood.

One of the best ways to build relationships is to host an event at your property or participate in another local happening. Here are a few simple ideas:

• Host a toy drive during the winter holidays, or a clothing or food drive to benefit the homeless or local veterans.
• If you’re hoping to attract members of a certain job field, consider a networking event.
• Set up a booth at a community event, such as a farmer’s market or school-spirit day.
• Host a wine-tasting to attract wine-storage users, or a carwash to lure in vehicle-storage customers.
• If your budget allows, sponsor a community event. For example, All Storage in Fort Worth, Texas, sponsors the Galactic Swag Expo for collectors of comic books, costumes and figurines. By doing so, it reaches these potential customers and gains brand awareness.

Whatever you choose, it’s essential to plan. You want your event to be successful but safe. Consider the following:

• Know the capacity of your venue and don’t exceed it.
• Make sure your space is accessible to individuals with disabilities.
• Be clear about whether children and pets are allowed.
• Ensure there’s plenty of parking, seating and shade.
• Do a facility walk-through to address any maintenance issues.
• Make sure your restrooms are clean, working and well-stocked.
• If your event will be outside, check the weather and have a plan for what you’ll do if it rains, snows, etc.
• If you’re serving food, clearly mark items and point out ingredients for guests with allergies or preferences.
• Make sure any alarms are working.
• Have a first-aid kit handy.
• Have a plan in place for emergency evacuation.

Promoting Your Event

Whether you host an event at your facility or participate in a larger community showcase, keep your advertising efforts local. Place tear-off fliers at nearby libraries, coffeeshops and community boards. Contact local newspapers and magazines that regularly publish event calendars and ask to be included. Create a Facebook event as well; post about it and boost that post with the correct location and age range in mind.

Whatever you do, keep your message consistent and stick to your planned budget. Always make sure your advertisements are where your desired market will look. In other words, if you’re hoping to attract young families, don’t post all your fliers at a bar.

Finally, when promoting your events, make it clear the public is welcome. You don’t want people to think that only tenants can participate.

Sharing Your Story

Because grassroots marketing is personalized and community-based, it’s an effective way to connect with potential customers. You’re already doing that by marketing with locals in mind, but you can take it one step further by considering the story you’re trying to tell. Customers connect to narratives, so let your marketing tell one. For example, collect pet supplies for a local animal shelter and showcase photos of adoptable pets in your office.

Focus on emotions—themes of charity, community and holiday spirit are a good place to start—and create associated content. For example, write a blog post about an event at which you’ll have a booth or share photos on social media from a barbecue you hosted. Try to include quotes from people involved. If you partnered with a local business or group, encourage it to share your posts.

Grassroots marketing can be an ongoing effort. Don’t be dismayed if your first foray into community-based advertising doesn’t triple your occupancy. Because it’s a low-budget strategy aimed at a small group, you can try it again and again until you’ve tapped into your most reliable customer base.

Krista Diamond is a staff writer for StorageFront, which allows customers to custom search and compare thousands of self-storage facilities. She’s a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and lives in Las Vegas. When she isn't writing about storage, she’s climbing mountains in the desert. For more information, visit www.storagefront.com.