Site in the Spotlight - 2004

Owner:	Jack Irwin
Location:	Omaha, Nebraska
Specs:	One Low-Profile climate-controlled building with office, Two Boat/RV buildings, One Two-Story building, first floor features climate control, Standing Seam Roof, 83,370 total square feet, 408 rentable units
Color:	Classic Beige and Evergreen

How long have you been in the self-storage industry?

This is my first venture in self storage. We opened for business on October 1, 2003.

What profession did you hold before entering self storage?

I was the Nebraska distributor for Overhead Door Corporation and Pella Windows of Pella, Iowa.

What sparked your interest in self storage?

Originally the land was plotted for an apartment complex but we soon found out that the market was too saturated for another apartment building. A real estate company approached us asking if we would sell the property…they were interested in developing a self-storage facility. Naturally, that sparked our interest in the world of self storage.

Describe your self storage experience.

Once we were interested in self storage, we attended the ISS Expo in Las Vegas. We learned a lot about the industry at the show. When we returned, we conducted a feasibility study which revealed our immediate competitors were 80-90% full. We then rezoned the land for self storage and attended hearings that discussed fencing of the property. Our city required cedar fencing for self-storage facilities but after looking at existing facilities, we were unimpressed with how cedar wore after time. We approached the city with a wrought-iron fence that was sure to keep its appearance for years. The city approved the wrought-iron fence and we were able to move ahead with our plans.

How did you choose Trachte as your building supplier?

Beyond getting quotes and price shopping for my project, I attended Trachte's free seminar twice and toured their manufacturing plant.

Who is your target market?

Our primary target market is the homeowner, followed by the business sector. In fact, we sent a mass mailing to the local shopping center promoting the need for additional storage during peak retail seasons.

How do you market your facility?

We built a 36' high tower that faces Interstate 680 in three directions. The tower features a 10' x 10' unit, glass windows, and our facility sign which is illuminated at night. Because it can be seen from a ways away, it attracts a lot of customers to our site. In fact, this is our number one lead generator, just ask the motorcyclist who saw our sign from the interstate and immediately rented a unit! We also launched a website, www.680storage.com, in January 2004, to reach potential renters within, as well as outside, our community.

How do you manage your facility?

We utilize SMD Software's SiteLink program to manage our customer base and our office is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm to service customers. We are considering the hire of a student from the local college in spring, which would allow us to extend our office hours to 7:00pm.

What would you say to someone considering a self-storage business?

Self storage is a good challenge if you like working with people, the key is to be flexible. Make sure your land is well exposed so it will drive business to your facility. And get acquainted with your city's requirements so you can anticipate hurdles before they happen.

What is your opinion of the self-storage investment concept?

I should have gotten into self storage 10 years ago.