There have been self storage facilities underground in caves and even those in new-age, high tech structures. Now, a 58-year-old factory building can add ‘self storage’ to its legacy as it was recently converted to a new facility – All Weather Indoor Storage. After running into some difficulty trying to secure a buyer for the old building, owner Susan Sarro decided to convert the 12, 000-square-foot building into self storage units.
The self storage facility had its grand opening this week in Copeland Industrial Park and has 27 units. Sarro plans to build an additional 27 units when 80 percent of the facility has been occupied. Sarro told The Daily Press that as a former real estate agent, she understood the need for climate controlled storage units in the area and it would be useful both to contractors and people who have recently moved.
Self storage demand is rapidly increasing in the area. According to Kenneth D. Penrose Jr., vice president and associate broker with Cushman and Wakefield-Thalhimer in Newport News, "Another factor we're seeing out there is increased demand from the small businesses such as contractors and retailers. It's a very inexpensive way for businesses to add capacity."
The factory building was once home to Graber, a company that manufactured window blinds until its parent company Springs Window Fashions, bought Quality Window Products Co. in 2012 and the moved to Mexico. Sarro bought the building from Alan Workman in 1984, though the business was started in 1946.
As Internet sales drive up the demand for self storage, it will be interesting to watch how the Newport News area transforms in the coming years.
