Update 9/20/19 – Self-storage properties are constantly changing hands, and Inside Self-Storage is regularly notified of these market transactions. Here’s an overview of additional activity happening in September 2019.

A Plus Boat Club Storage in Fort Worth, Texas, sold to Denver-based Spartan Investment Group. The facility at 8955 Boat Club Road sits on 4.5 acres and comprises 60,856 square feet in 209 units. The property will be rebranded as Fort Worth Boatel and Storage. The deal was brokered by Danny Cunningham, senior associate, and Brandon Karr, senior vice president, of Karr Self Storage Group, an affiliate of M&M.

A CubeSmart-branded facility in Pembroke Pines, Fla., sold to First Neck Self-Storage Group LLC for $13 million. The facility at 8321 Pines Blvd. comprises 111,023 square feet. Built in 1990, it last sold in 2015 for $8.9 million to Storage Pros Management LLC. Storage Pros Pembroke Pines and Wagner Pembroke Pines of Farmington Hills were listed as sellers, according to a source. First Neck is a joint venture between asset-management and investment-advisory firm CSM Capital Corp. and real estate investment and management company Self-Storage Capital Partners (SSCP). Founded in 2013, SSCP operates the Snapbox Self Storage brand name.

Another CubeSmart-branded property in South Grafton, Mass, sold to Merit Hill Capital LP for $3.9 million. Constructed in 2016, the facility at 100 Milford Road sits on a 5-acre parcel. An expansion to add more units began late last year. The seller was Hilltop Self Storage of Grafton LLC. Merit Hill is a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based real estate firm that acquires, develops and manages self-storage facilities nationwide.

Discount RV & Boat Storage in El Mirage, Ariz., sold to an undisclosed buyer for about $4.4 million. The property at 10075 N. El Mirage Road sits on more than 18.5 acres and comprises 605 vehicle spaces. The seller was represented in the transaction by Jeff Gorden of Eagle Commercial Realty Services, an Argus affiliate.

Gateway Storage in Gulf Shores, Ala., sold to an unidentified LLC. The newly constructed facility at 21371 Coastal Gateway Blvd. opened in April. It sits on 3 acres and comprises 47,925 net rentable square feet in 447 climate-controlled units. The seller, also an LLC, was represented in the transaction by M&M investment specialists Gabriel Coe, Jonathan M. Fawley and Brett R. Hatcher, who also secured the buyer.

Kuna Self Storage in Kuna, Idaho, sold to an unidentified buyer. The facility at 640 W. Avalon Street comprises 23,742 square feet in 166 units and 15 outdoor parking spaces. The seller, Messmer Properties Inc., was represented in the deal by M&M Investment Associate Jordan Farrer and Schlosser. M&M Senior Investment Associate Paul Ryan assisted.

Global One Services LLC sold North Penn Storage in Edmond, Okla., to NitNeil Development LLC for $3.05 million. The property at 15505 N. Pennsylvania Ave. comprises 63,600 square feet. NitNeil Development is an affiliate of Atlanta-based real estate development and investment firm NitNeil Partners, which owns 23 self-storage facilities, primarily in the Southeast. Jeff Lester of NAI Sullivan Group brokered the deal on behalf of the buyer and seller.

Georgia-based Macon Veterans Fund LLC acquired a two-property self-storage portfolio from Safeguard Storage Inc. in Trussville, Ala., for $5.36 million. Both facilities are on Gadsden Highway and mark the fund’s entry into the Birmingham, Ala., market. Safeguard’s Aaron Harwell acquired the property at 8156 Gadsden in 2016 from Stow-Away Self Storage. Macon Veterans partner Andy Blalock indicated the fund is interested in growing its presence in the area through additional acquisitions or facility expansions.

Sprague & Sullivan Storage in Spokane Valley, Wash., sold to an unidentified buyer. The facility at 16104 E. Sprague Ave. comprises 126,710 square feet. It includes outdoor boat/RV parking, truck rentals and mobile-storage containers. The sellers, Dean and Elizabeth Grafos, were represented by Parsons and Schlosser at M&M.

---

9/6/19 – Self-storage properties are constantly changing hands, and Inside Self-Storage is regularly notified of these market transactions. Here’s an overview of activity happening in September 2019.

Public Storage Inc., a publicly traded self-storage real estate investment trust (REIT) and third-party management firm, purchased A+ Storage in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The facility at 863 Fortress Blvd. sits on 4.63 acres. It consists of seven single-story buildings comprising 91,198 square feet in 800 units. The seller was represented in the transaction by James Ashley Compton, national director of the Self Storage Group for real estate firm Colliers International. Based in Glendale, Calif., Public Storage has interests in 2,444 self-storage facilities in 38 states, with approximately 164 million net rentable square feet.

Assured Storage in Goose Creek, S.C., was sold to an undisclosed REIT. The facility at 1110 Harbour Lake Drive comprises 41,619 square feet. The seller was represented in the transaction by Compton.

Bird-in-Hand Self Storage in East Lampeter Township, Pa., was sold to a private investor. The facility at 249 Railroad Ave. was built in 1986 and expanded in 2001. It sits on 3 acres and comprises 20,000 net rentable square feet, plus 35 vehicle-storage spaces. The seller, Rick Robinson, was represented in the transaction by Kevin Bledsoe, vice president of brokerage for Investment Real Estate, a provider of brokerage, construction, development and management services to self-storage owners and investors since 1998.

Boscawen Mini Storage in Boscawen, N.H., was sold to a portfolio owner. In addition to self-storage, the site includes a catering restaurant. The property at 146 King St. is just off State Highway Route 3. The seller was represented in the transaction by Joe Mendola, senior advisor for NAI Norwood Group, an affiliate of the Argus Self Storage Network, a Denver-based network of real estate brokers who specialize in storage properties.

Clermont Self Storage in Cape May Courthouse, N.J., was sold to Axis Self Storage, which owns 16 self-storage properties in three states, for $1.5 million. The facility at 27 Clermont Drive comprises 38,780 rentable square feet in 292 units. The seller, American Storage Partners, was represented in the transaction by Jesse Luke, managing partner of EquiCap Commercial, a Saint Charles, Ill.-based brokerage specializing in self-storage, and Anne Williams, first vice president of investments for Marcus & Millichap (M&M), a commercial real estate investment services firm with offices throughout Canada and the United States.

10 Federal Storage LLC, which operates more than 25 facilities in five states, acquired five facilities in Georgia and North Carolina, including the four-property EconoStor portfolio in submarkets east of Atlanta and American Mini Storage in Wilmington, N.C. The purchases bring the total sites owned and operated by 10 Federal Self Storage Acquisition Company 2 LLC to eight.

Flower Mound Self Storage in Flower Mound, Texas, was sold. The facility at 2400 Victory Drive comprises 27,490 square feet in 197 units. The seller, a local limited-liability company, was represented in the transaction by Thomas Parsons, investment associate, and Adam Schlosser, senior vice president of investments, for The LeClaire Group of M&M.

Magnum Self Storage in Seattle was sold for $11.5 million to Florida-based Callanan Family Associates. The facility at 5422 Shilshole Ave. N.W. includes a two-story, 63,240-square-foot structure and an adjacent 4,650-square-foot parking lot on Ballard Ave. N.W. The seller was Magnum LP, associated with the Hall family, who had owned the property since 1976.

Compass Self Storage, a member of the Amsdell family of companies, acquired Shaler Self Storage in Allison Park, Pa. The facility at 422 Elfinwild Road comprises more than 37,000 net rentable square feet. Compass now operates four locations in Greater Pittsburgh. Headquartered in Cleveland, the Amsdell Cos. draws its roots from the family-owned construction company founded in 1928. It currently owns and operates 90 properties in 10 states.

Pinnacle Storage Properties, a Houston-based firm that operates more than 15 self-storage facilities, acquired five Storage Plus locations in Oregon and Washington. The purchase includes Storage Plus of Centralia Fords Prairie and Storage Plus of Centralia Gold in Centralia, Wash., Storage Plus of Kelso in Kelso, Wash., and Storage Plus of Roseburg and Storage Plus of Winston in Oregon. It was made through a partnership with CFJ LLC, according to John Manes, Pinnacle Partner and CEO. Pinnacle is a privately held real estate owner and operator focused on the acquisition, development and management of self-storage assets. Its investment strategy is to purchase under-leveraged properties in suburban and secondary markets.

New Sources:
Birmingham Business Journal, Georgia Storage Company Makes $5.36M Buy in Metro Birmingham
REBusiness Online, Marcus & Millichap Brokers Sale of 126,710 SF Self-Storage Facility in Spokane Valley, Washington
The Oklahoman, Commercial Real Estate Transactions From The Oklahoman for Sept. 14, 2019
The Real Deal, Hot demand: Pembroke Pines Self-Storage Facility Sells for $13M
Worcester Business Journal, Grafton Self Storage Sold to Investment Firm for $3.9M

Previous Sources:
PR Newswire, 10 Federal Acquires Five Self Storage Facilities in Georgia and North Carolina
Chestnut Post, Argus Broker Affiliate Closes on Sale of New Hampshire Self Storage Facility
Yahoo Finance, Compass Self Storage Hits Milestone of 90 Self Storage Centers With Acquisition in Pittsburgh, Pa
My Ballard, Magnum Self Storage Property Sells for $11.5M
Daily Journal of Commerce, Investor Buys Ballard Self-Storage Property
Pinnacle Storage Properties, Pinnacle Storage Properties Announces New Market Venture With the Acquisition of Five West Coast Properties
Nasdaq, Public Storage (PSA) Unveils Storage Units in Murfreesboro
Commercial Property Executive, New Jersey Storage Facility Changes Hands

Titan Storage Solutions, which operates eight self-storage facilities in England, is opening a new location this month in Sidcup, England, that’s attracting tourists. The company recently converted a portion of the former Klinger Factory, which was built in 1937 by engineering firm Richard Klinger Ltd. Set to open on Sept. 30 in the Klinger Industrial Estate, the iconic building has a distinct look that draws attention, according to sources.

“Since our contractors have restored the façade, a number of local residents have taken time to attend the site to take pictures and speak to the contractors about what the building will be used for, and to congratulate the builders on the work they have done to restore this local building,” said Dan O'Sullivan, area manager for Titan. “It has all been derelict for a number of years, so the residents are grateful that its appearance has now been significantly improved and is once again part of the community.”

Tours of the building will be available on opening day, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. “We also received requests from locals on social media platforms asking if they would be able to have a tour around the inside of the building when we are open. This is despite them not having a need for the service we will be offering. They are simply interested due to the history of the Klinger building,” O’Sullivan said.

The building was designed by Wallis Gilbert for Klinger, an Austrian manufacturer of valves and borosilicate-gauge glasses. It was later sold to pipe-company Trouvay Cauvin before closing in the 1990s. U.K. property-management company Chancerygate purchased the site in 2016, and the Bromley Council approved the demolition of most of the factory a year later. The clock tower and front building as well as the wings were spared and incorporated into the new design, which includes 15 industrial units and the two-story self-storage facility in the east wing.

Titan opened its first facility in Littlehampton, England, in 2012. It also operates facilities in Bracknell, Braintree, Leamington Spa, Poole, Sidcup, Solihull and Woking, England. In addition to storage, it provides moving services.

Source:
Baxley Times, Curious Residents Prompt Storage Company in Klinger Building to Have Open Day
Bromley Times, Demolition of Long-Abandoned Klinger Factory Approved by Bromley Council

A man confessed to murder and was arrested after police discovered dismembered human remains this week inside a Philadelphia self-storage unit. Authorities received a tip on Monday that led them to Safeguard Self Storage at 3300 N. Franklin Ave.

Police believe the legless body belongs to the man’s ex-girlfriend, Brenda Jacobs, who’s been missing since 2003, according to sources. The storage facility is about 200 miles away from where the victim was last seen. It isn’t known who was renting the unit or how long her remains were stored there.

Jade Gillette Babcock, 49, was arraigned on Wednesday and faces charges of abuse of a corpse, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence. An additional charge of murder in Lycoming County, Pa., where Jacobs went missing, is expected, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. He’s being held without bond.

The police tip came from Babcock’s current girlfriend.

Jacobs, a 37-year-old mother of two from Montoursville, Pa., wasn’t officially reported missing by her family until 2013. Police haven’t publicly identified the body, but family members told media outlets it’s Jacobs, a source reported.

Babcock has been living in Philadelphia since his home at 322 Jordan Ave. in Montoursville, was condemned for code violations a little over a year ago. Police visited the Montoursville house last week to collect evidence, according to Lycoming County District Attorney Kenneth A. Osokow. Depending on how the investigation goes, murder charges could be filed, said Osokow, who refused to confirm or deny Babcock’s confession.

Investigators were at the house until after midnight. They left with five-gallon buckets of coal from a coalbin in a barn on the property, according to a neighbor, who declined to provide his name to the source. “They brought their own table and poured the coal, a little at a time, onto the table. They then sifted through the coal with their hands. They wore gloves,” he said.

Police also escorted a cadaver dog through the house and snapped photographs, the neighbor said. An officer referred to the location as a “problem residence,” saying police were called to it several times over the years for disturbances, a source reported.

Police are also investigating whether a pair of mummified legs found 75 yards apart on the north shore of Susquehanna River on May 11 could belong to Jacobs. A DNA profile is underway, but the results might not be available for several months, according to Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. Dental records will be used to help identify the remains found in the storage unit, he added.

The neighbor said Babcock was a “pretty nice guy” when sober. “However, whenever he got into alcohol and drugs, he got violent,” he said, adding that “stragglers went in and out of (Babcock’s) house, people he rented rooms to.”

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Atlanta, Safeguard operates 75 facilities throughout the eastern states. It’s owned and operated by Morgan Stanley’s Prime Property Fund.

Sources:
6 ABC News, Human Remains Found in Philadelphia; Could Be Tied to 2003 Missing Person Case
Metro, Man Confesses to Murdering His Ex After Remains Found in Storage Unit
San Francisco Chronicle, Remains of Missing Woman Found in Storage Unit, Ex Charged
Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Montoursville Native Confesses to Murdering Ex-Girlfriend

The marketing approach for a newly opened self-storage facility is multi-faceted, but one of the first and most important things you need to do is a create and verify your Google My Business (GMB) listing. Why? Because it’s the online gateway for your business. With Google being the dominant force in local search, it’s imperative that you show up in its searches and on its Maps. Below is some insight on how to set up your listing and some challenges you may encounter along the way.

Getting Started

Getting listed on GMB is fairly straightforward. First, make sure you have a Google account for your business. It’s incredibly simple to create one at account.google.com. Log in, then visit business.google.com and click on the “Manage now” button. Follow the prompts and enter your information.

At the end of the process, Google will ask you to verify your listing via postcard, phone or e-mail. The postcard is the primary method for small businesses. Google will send one to your facility that contains a PIN, which you’ll enter online. The card should take about five days to reach your site.

You’ve Got (No) Mail!

Snail mail is where things can go awry, especially if your new facility is on an equally new street. To establish mail delivery, you’ll need to go to your nearest post office and speak with the postmaster or the person assigned to assist businesses with new service, referred to as the “growth manager.” You can also send an e-mail to [email protected]. Ask if your address has already been submitted by the city or county government. If not, ask them to add your business to the “edit book,” aka the “red book.” You should also discuss the method of delivery, including appropriate mail receptacles for your business.

Here are a few other handy mail tips from Kevin Johnson, site manager of Kent Supreme Self Storage in Kent, Wash., which opened in May:

• Talk to the delivery carrier or post office about the placement of the mailbox. You want it installed in the correct location and at the right height for delivery.
• Install the mailbox before letting the post office know you’re ready to accept mail.
• Gates or building obstructions can prevent mail delivery. Work with the construction foreman to ensure the mailbox is accessible.
• Stop by the post office to pick up any mail that may have been returned because of the above-mentioned issues.

The key is to start this process early—as soon as you’ve broken ground on a new facility. For our sites, we’ve sometimes had to visit the post office repeatedly to establish mail delivery, and we’ve frequently received conflicting information about what we need to do. So, the earlier you begin, the better chance you’ll have of getting that Google postcard and verifying your GMB listing.

New Street, New Problems

Sometimes the obstacle to setting up or verifying your GMB listing is that your facility is on a new street that isn’t yet listed on Google. This happened to View Pointe Self Storage in Edgewood, Wash., which was the first business to be built on a new road. While the city and county had the street on their planning maps, neither had a standard operating procedure for how to notify Google and other search providers. Mail wasn’t being delivered, including the Google postcard. After several conversations with the post office, View Pointe was finally able to receive mail.

Once this hurdle was jumped, there was another: Google verified the listing but changed the facility address to match an outdated map. It took many e-mail conversations with Google to add the new street to its map along with the correct address and placement of the storage business. The whole process, from the initial postcard request to correct listing, took four months!

If you’re building your self-storage facility be on a new street, first reach out to your municipality to confirm its process for notifying Google. If it doesn’t have a system, it may be incumbent on you to do the legwork and contact Google yourself. Be prepared to provide proof of the new street by linking to online county or city maps. The process may take some time, so start as early as you can.

The Open Date

Once you’re verified in Google, set an opening date in your GMB listing so customers are alerted when you ready for business. This also ensures they won’t be tempted to visit prior to launch. This information will appear in your “Google Knowledge” graph. Here’s how it looks:

With competition in the self-storage industry increasing every day, getting your new business established online early will be crucial to your success. Follow these guidelines to establish mail delivery and claim and verify your GMB listing.

Derek Hines is a writer for West Coast Self-Storage, a self-storage management, acquisitions and development company with facilities in California, Oregon and Washington. He writes extensively on all subjects related to the storage industry. For more information, visit www.westcoastselfstorage.com.

Make Space Capital Partners, the investment-management arm of Canada-based self-storage operator Make Space Inc., has closed a $2.7 million first tranche of a private placement through its fund, Make Space Capital Partners I LP. The company used the proceeds to acquire two self-storage facilities in Pender Harbour, British Columbia, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, for a combined $10.1 million. Together, the properties comprise more than 161,000 rentable square feet, according to a press release.

The Pender Harbour facility sits on more than 6.5 acres. It comprises about 66,000 square feet in more than 300 units. The Winnipeg facility is on 5 acres and comprises about 95,000 square feet in 350 units, the release stated.

"We are pleased to have completed our initial investments," said Vaughan Kooyman, founder and head of acquisitions. "We are very excited to be creating and expanding our portfolio of self-storage assets across Canada.”

“Both the Winnipeg and Pender Harbour properties’ ability to generate stabilized cash flows are an excellent fit with our investment strategy,” added Mark Steppell, director of financial reporting.

Make Space launched the fund this summer to focus on investments in self-storage, mobile storage and flex storage. It intends to build a diversified portfolio across Canada, according to the release.

Make Space operates seven self-storage facilities in Western Canada. It’s the self-storage division of the Coast Storage group of companies, which includes shipping-container supplier Coast Storage & Containers Ltd.

Source:
Cision, Make Space Capital Partners I LP Completes First Tranche of Private Placement and Acquires Two Initial Properties

Update 9/18/19 – With a 6-3 vote, the town council approved to annex the Peach Orchard Plaza site on West Coleman Boulevard at Broadway Street. The property had been classified as a “doughnut hole,” land surrounded by town limits but not in the municipality. Proponents of the decision noted the town could gain $300,000 a year in extra property taxes from new development, according to a source.

The council also changed the height limit of future developments by adding a tiered-structure approach and altered the land use. Buildings 45 to 55 feet are now permitted along the street. In addition, future developments must incorporate 60 percent commercial use at the street level. A development can contain self-storage units above the ground-floor businesses, but the design must be approved by the town’s design-review board.

Gramling Brothers was satisfied with the town’s decision. “We felt like it was a win-win—for us and the town,” Harper said.

---

5/16/19 – The Mount Pleasant Town Council was expected to discuss on Tuesday whether to sell Orchard Peach Plaza to Gramling Brothers for its self-storage project. The planning committee has already approved the plans, according to a source.

The 2-acre property would be sold for just over $2 million. If the purchase is approved, the developer plans to upgrade the parking area, sidewalks and street frontage. The project would also need a recommendation from the Charleston County Commission before going before the Charleston County Council for final approval.

---

9/25/18 – Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie has indicated the city will fight the Broadway Street Self Storage project planned for county land on Coleman Boulevard. “Our citizens, like me, are really disappointed that someone is planning to put a storage facility on Coleman Boulevard,” Haynie told the source. “I’ll just say, we’ll pull out all the stops to do what we can because this is the main street of Mount Pleasant, and this is not consistent with what Mount Pleasant looks like.”

Among the businesses affected by the project would be Shem Creek Music Center, which has operated in the plaza since 1971. The retailer is considered by some residents to be a local icon and has been visited by several celebrities, including Darryl Hall, Bill Murray and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, according to music teacher Eddit Bush, who’s taught at the store for nearly 20 years.

“This store has been here for decades, and to see it go away for a storage facility makes zero sense to me,” Bush told the source.

Haynie contradicted an earlier report about the approval process, telling the source he didn’t expect the project to go before the county council because the use is already compatible with zoning.

---

9/20/18 – Gramling Brothers Real Estate & Development Inc. is proposing to build a self-storage facility in Mount Pleasant, S.C., on the site of an existing strip mall. The company recently submitted a site plan to Charleston County for Broadway Street Self Storage, a 35,928-square-foot project that would replace Peach Orchard Plaza at 423 W. Coleman Blvd. The development might even carry over to two additional lots at 415 W. Coleman Blvd., which currently houses an automotive business, according to the source.

The 10,000-square-foot strip mall, built in 1971, is home to about 12 small business. It’s outside of the city limits and falls under the county’s zoning requirements. Gramling owns another nearby property at 409 W. Coleman Blvd., which is expected to become a Vicious Biscuits location, the source reported.

Gramling hasn’t made a decision about building height, though it could pursue a three-story structure, which would be allowable, according to Mikell Harper, vice president of business development. Final decisions are forthcoming, as the company is still seeking county approval, he told the source.

Based in Charleston, S.C., Gramling specializes in commercial and residential projects. The company is “committed to preserving the natural and social qualities of the area through smart, responsible land development,” according to its website.

Sources:
ABC News 4, Mt. Pleasant Mayor Against Proposed Self-Storage Facility on Coleman Blvd.
The Post and Courier, Storage Building Planned for Mount Pleasant Strip Center Site
Count on News 2, Storage Units Might Be on the Way for Peach Orchard Plaza
The Post and Courier, Mount Pleasant Annexes Parcel Off Coleman Boulevard Where Storage Units Could Rise

Extra Space Storage Inc., a self-storage real estate investment trust (REIT) and third-party management company, has partnered with Western Governors University (WGU) to develop an education program designed to help its employees earn a bachelor’s degree. A joint scholarship program offering allotments of up to $2,500 per year will provide access to the WGU College of Business and College of IT degree programs at minimal cost, according to the source.

“This program will set the standard for what company-sponsored, higher-education programs can be,” said Spencer Stewart, WGU’s vice president of strategic partnerships. “Our commitment to preparing today’s students for the future of work is good for individuals, good for employers and good for the economy; and we're proud to be part of Extra Space's investment in its employees’ success.”

WGU awards degrees based on a student’s ability to demonstrate mastery of a series of competencies, skills and knowledge recognized by employers as crucial to career success. This approach enables students to progress through the program as quickly as possible, accelerating through material they learn quickly or already know from work or previous educational experience. It also ensures that what they’re learning along the way is workforce-relevant, the source reported.

“Extra Space Storage is committed to the success of our employees. We want team members to bring passion, innovation and excellence to work every day to help our customers to a better tomorrow,” said Clint Halverson, vice president of people for Extra Space. “Our employees can only be their best if they personally reach that better tomorrow. We are excited for this new partnership because WGU does education differently. It is this innovative attitude that makes them an excellent partner for Extra Space Storage. Their unique and individually customized approach to learning will be a huge asset as Extra Space employees strive to be their personal best.”

In April, Extra Space was named to the 2019 list of “America's Best Midsize Employers” by “Forbes” magazine. It ranked 194 out of 500 listings. It was also recognized among the top five Utah-based businesses and the only self-storage company on the list.

“Earning my degree through Western Governors University was one of the best career decisions I've made. I needed something that I could schedule around my job and family, and wanted to feel like I worked hard and earned a degree. WGU delivered,” said Lainie Ottley, a payroll supervisor for Extra Space. “Many of the courses were incredibly challenging, but I got through them with perseverance and the help, of course, and student mentors. My work experience and prior knowledge allowed me to get through other classes quickly and easily. The time and effort were definitely worth it because earning a degree has already allowed me to advance my career at Extra Space."

Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 117,000 students nationwide and has more than 155,000 graduates in all 50 states. It’s accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Extra Space owns or operates 1,752 self-storage properties nationwide and in Puerto Rico. The company’s properties comprise approximately 1.2 million units and 134 million square feet of rentable space.

Source:
Yahoo Finance, Western Governors University and Extra Space Storage Announce New Partnership

One of the most difficult tasks when building a new self-storage facility is determining the right unit mix. There’s simply no magic formula or combination that will work in every market. An abundance of any one size or a mix of the wrong sizes could lead to empty units. Even offering too many choices can be detrimental to the business. Finding the optimal balance is critical.

In a recent thread on Self-Storage Talk, the industry’s largest online community, members are sharing how they analyze their markets to establish a baseline for unit sizes and quantity of each. Read about their approach and add your own method in this informative thread.

Big Yellow Self Storage of Chester, Cheshire, England, a member of the Big Yellow Group PLC family of storage properties, is providing free storage space to the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of Dorin Park School, to support its fundraising activities. The school helps students who have physical and learning difficulties, enhancing their personal, social and academic development, according to the source.

“At Big Yellow Chester, we have a strong community ethos and help a number of different charities; and when we learned of Dorin Park School’s need for space, we were only too pleased to get involved,” said Jeff Banks, the storage operator’s business-development manager. “I hope by providing free space for the PTA that they can now proceed with more events to help raise funds for the school.”

The PTA organizes several fundraisers throughout the year including summer and holiday fairs. It also solicits money from outside companies, according to its website.

“Having this space provided free of charge by Big Yellow is a huge help for our PTA, as space is limited at the school; and it will enable us to store items for events, which in turn will be used to raise much needed funds for resources for the pupils,” said Claire McKelvey, chair of the Dorin Park PTA. “It’s great to have a local company willing to provide support to our charity.”

Big Yellow Group operates 100 self-storage locations in the United Kingdom under the Big Yellow Self Storage and Armadillo Self Storage brand names, with most concentrated in Greater London and Southeast England. Its total portfolio comprises 5.7 million square feet.

Sources:
The Standard, Chester: Dorin Park School’s Big Yellow Support
Dorin Park School, Website