Happy Thanksgiving

My O My here it is thanksgiving already. My O My where did the time go. It just seem like we just finish ringing out the new year of 2012 and ringing in the new year of  2013 and here it is the end of November already.

Well here it is another week is about to start. As I  am having my morning coffee I cannot believe how fast the time is flying by. As I’m traveling to work I have noticed that the traffic has picked up. I guess everyone is getting an early start shopping for their Thanksgiving day dinner. As I am going through the golden gate of the storage station store on 29 Flint Rd in South Toms River NJ I am happy to see that as I drive around everything is looking good.

The cars trailer and boats and motor homes that are store here are in good shape in the rental spot. As I drive around I see there are tenants at their units already. As I drive by I stop to say good morning. I tell them boy it is cold out here. It is 28 degrees this morning. As always I ask them how things are going with them.

Wow today they were in a talking mood. They also cannot believe how the time is flying by also. They all said  they are here to get their Christmas things out of storage. Well I tell them that I have to do the same.

Well here it is I am now going through the golden gates over at the storage station store on 25 James St in Toms River, NJ. Again as I drive around the grounds I am finding everything is in tack and looking good. As  I open the doors to the hall way everything in is looking good also. I have run into some of the tenants that are at their units which they are renting here. Again they cannot believe how the time is flying by and it is the day before Thanksgiving already. As I am talking to one of the tenants someone pull up in their car and was looking for me. They wanted to rent a unit. I told them to follow me to the office and I will take care of everything. When we got to the office and went inside I m happy to say we now have a new tenant in a 10x20.

Well it has been a long year. It is now almost a year since the perfect storm Sandy and the Nor’easter had hit us. As we stop and think about want we have had to go through here at both storage stations stores in Toms River and in Toms River, NJ we cannot help to think what we are thankful for. The tenants that are renting here and the new tenants that are coming in to rent  are saying the same that we have a lot to be thankful for as to what we have been through this year.

Well it that time of the year that we have a lot to do. It is fall  time and it is cold. The trees are all dropping their leaves to the ground. Boy I never knew how many leaves are on a tree until I have to clean them up. Sometimes I feel like I’d just like to cut the trees down. One good thing we do not have to fight the weeds anymore and when you clean up the leaves you have got them beat. So far this year no snow and we all at both storage stations store in South Toms River and Toms River hope it stay that way.  Even the tenants at both storage station stores agree also.

Let’s talk about the past year. It has been a hard but good year for the storage station stores here but it has kept us on our toes. We had a lot of extra cleaning and a lot more maintenance to do this year. But as always we work as a team and the outlook is a lot brighter. I myself am very happy with what has happy and where we are today. With all that has happen westill had to work in the office. The rentals are way up at both stores in South Toms Rivers and Tom Rivers NJ.

This past year has been rough on a lot of people throughout NJ. The tenants and the new tenants that came in to rent  are also giving thanks for everything we have done for them in their time of needs We at all the storage stations stores have all happy and glad for what we have been able to do for everyone. It is hard sometime to even think about what can happen when you get the strong winds that we got and mix with rain. I myself was home at the time when it hit us  and could not believe what I was watching.  It was the first time I watch a storm of this type from my deck. I could not believe  that the trees behind the house that the tops were bending down that far to the ground . My older son was with me also at this time and he was as shock as I was to what we were seeing. As we both keep close to the house under the roof over the deck we could see a lot of flashing going on toward the ocean. At the time we thought it was flashes of lighting  but were shock to find out it was not lighting but it was transformer blowing up. It just seemed like one going off every 30 seconds.

We also watched- sorry to say- fall down and on top of a house. Lucky no one was home and no one was hurt. Today I at back and think of how lucky everyone was to get out of the storm alive. Yes we all had some damage done to our houses and property some worst then others. But again we can all be thankful on this holiday that we are alive. The rest can be taken care of in time. Who could believe how the water could rise so high and quickly. We saw it flood in places you would think will never flood. Like one person told me they all went to bed got up and could not image that they had 4 feet of water in their house down stairs.

There are so many stories that I could tell you about the storm sandy that I have heard from most of our tenants that rent with us  and the new tenants that came in and rented this year at both stores.

I would like to take this time and say that all of us at all the storage stations stores would like to say to all of our tenants and to all that everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Again we all should be thankful for what we have.

Well it is time to go so to all again have a safe and good holidays that are ahead.

Renting a storage unit is the easy part

Renting a storage unit is in all honesty the easy part, you come in choose a size to fit your needs, paper work all filled out and you are on your way. Now comes the real work, Choosing the correct way for you to get your stuff to storage. If you are storing a large amount of stuff then you are going to need a truck and there are commercial companies that you can rent from there are websites to browse through if you want to use something or someone more private and local, you can find just about anything. When renting from your commercial companies it is pretty much a do it yourself job. After renting the truck it is back home to load it and on many occasion I have had new renters pulling in with massive size trucks for not too much stuff and the reverse. If indeed you are renting a large unit then the truck should be about the same size. Trucks are measured by feet and so are the storage units as well so you want to ask as many questions of the staff as possible, and not just where you’re storing but where you may be renting a moving truck as well. Some of our facilities have the option to rent a truck, the staff can direct you in the direction you will need and make any move as easy as possible. You also want to remember to look up, yes up. Most forget that you have at least eight to ten feet in a truck so stack away!! And all of our units here at Storage Station in Middletown are eight feet high, so if at all possible get boxes that are uniform in size and storing your belongings will be much easier. We can help with that too! Moving supplies are available to purchase as well.  At some point we have all had to move, so renting trucks and movers and calling upon friend’s to help is guaranteed.

Let’s chat about hiring out people to do the moving for you. There are big commercial companies who can come to your home and walk around and tell you almost exactly what you are going to need. Then comes the question on whether you want to do it yourself or hire them. A lot does depend on age, if you are of retirement age then most likely you will get a company to do it for you, there is a lot less hassle. My parents actually did just that when they moved from one home to another even though it was local it was easier for them. Trying to get enough of us together at one time was almost impossible with work and kids and the demands of everyday life.  They called and bang, a done deal, from one house to another in just a few hours, where if we had helped it would have taken all weekend. Potty breaks for the kids, lunch, dinner….. Etc. With moving company’s it is a job and if you find a good company these guys are like magicians and packing and moving. They done it hundreds of times so they could probably do it in their sleep, where most families would have more discussion about which way to do it, you know everybody has an opinion and then you must debate and then the work finally begins. If you are going with a moving company do make sure you get a few estimates from various companies, they usually come for free and if at all possibly take a ride to the office site and peek at their trucks, the condition of a moving company’s truck says a lot about how they will care for your personal belongings. You will also get a first hand look on the size you may need, the internet is a great tool, but when it comes to square feet, it is better to see then guess.

Here is a quick size guide reference on a truck…..
•    26’ foot truck will move 4+ bedrooms
•    24' foot truck will move 3-4 bedrooms
•    17' foot truck will move 2-3 bedrooms
•    14' foot truck will move 1-2 bedrooms
•    10' foot truck will move a studio or small 1-bedroom apartment

Now here is a size guide reference we have handy for anybody who needs it.


SIZE GUIDE

5’X5’    25 Square feet ( about the size of a small walk-in closet)
This space will hold small furniture such as a chest of drawers or a chair, plus boxes and miscellaneous small items.  Perfect for your office or personal records and/or work tools and equipment.

5’X10’   50 Square feet (about the size of a large walk-in closet)
This space will hold some furniture, for example, a couch and chair, chest of drawers or dresser, box springs and mattress set, plus small items and boxes.  Also great for outdoor furniture, lawn mowers, garden tools, bicycles and/or motorcycles.

10’X10’    100 Square feet  (about half the size of a standard one-car garage)
Contents of a 10’ Van
This space will hold furniture from a one-bedroom apartment without appliances, small boxes and small items, office furniture, files.

10’X15’  150 Square feet  (about the size of a standard one-car garage)
Contents of a  14’ Van
Approximately 3 to 4 rooms of furniture or the furniture from a two bedroom house with appliances, miscellaneous items and cartons.

10’X20’   200 Square feet  (one car garage size)
Contents of a 14’ or 17’ Van
This space will hold approximately 5 to 6 rooms of furniture.  Average size car or truck.

10’X25’   250 Square feet
Contents of a 24’ or 26’ Van
This space will hold approximately 6 to 8 rooms of furniture of the contents of a two-bedroom house with appliances, miscellaneous items and cartons.  Large vehicles, commercial storage, small boat.

10’X30’  300 Square feet
Contents of a 40’ Moving Van
Furniture from a 3 bedroom house with miscellaneous items and cartons.  Also may be used to store a car or a truck and other small items.


I’m sure you have picked up on the similarities of the two, ours is definitely more detailed due to the fact that that we are storing your belongings not just moving them. If you noticed we use a reference to a one car garage size. Why is that you ask, I shall certainly tell you. It is the easiest most common size comparison for just about anyone , most of us nowadays drive a car and at some point have garaged it , if you throw out square feet well a blank look occurs more often then not, unless you work in contracting or maintenance square feet are of no consequence, I myself recently had just such a blank look when a contractor came to do a estimate and asked me how many square feet we were here in Middletown, he laughed and so did I and said no worries, I will take a walk and see what we have. Sure I could have figured it out, the long way where he did it five times faster since his brain is wired for square footage and mine is definitely not. We learn all about measurements in school, they are for the most part drilled into our brains but in reality if you don’t use those conversions everyday they get erased and the space is filled with other necessary information, the know how to figure it all out is there so sometimes you have to go back to the basics. I know I have on more then a few occasions. So definitely take the time to look at all your options, and ask any question you need, we are here to help as much as possible

Water Fall

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Working hard at Self Storage

Working hard !!!!

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Fall Has Finally Arrived

As we near the middle of October here at Storage Station on 25 James Street and 29 Flint Road, Toms River, we are trying to catch up on all of the last minute maintenance that needs to be done before winter sets in. There are so many little things to do that are easier in the warmer weather and need to be addressed now. Some of our doors on James St have to be repaired, and the Manager is busy attending to that task.  Over on Flint Road a crew of painters are busy repainting all of the buildings and hanging new numbers on all of our units. I have to say they are giving the place a real fresh look. They want to finish before it gets too cold and so far it looks terrific. I am looking forward to seeing it completely done.

This is such a busy time of year for us. Most of our seasonal tenants are back. Some tenants that had their boats in the water all summer enjoying Barnegat Bay have now covered and stored them for another winter at our Flint Road location. This also goes for our RV and Landscaping crowd. Most of our landscapers have their trailers with their equipment stored until next April when their new season starts. Right now they’re taking off a little time before plowing season begins. 

Our RV owners are also coming in and parking for the winter now that their summer adventures are behind them.  What great stories I hear about their adventures to all parts of this country. Let’s not forget our wonderful group of tenants that are motorcycle lovers. All summer long I would see this group going in and out of the gate as the wind is blowing their hair, and they have huge smile on their faces as they depart on another adventure. Now one by one I see them covering their bikes as they put them in their storage unit for another winter.

I notice that each group of tenants didn’t know each other when they made the decision to store their vehicles on Flint Road, but all have  become friends that are willing to help one another with advice, opinions, or just friendly kindness. It always amazes me when I see these friendships blooming. Our clients are from all walks of life, but they have a commonality by storing at our James Street or Flint Road locations. These tenants feel like this is their second family. They reward us by sending all of their friends to also store with us.  A good portion of our new clientele has been sent to us by someone who already stores here and recommends it to their family and friends.  This means so much to us knowing that what we provide are appreciated. We strive to help everyone that walks through our door with their self storage needs and although we have come across some very unique storage requests, we have always been able to come up with a solution that works.

So please give us a call with any of your storage questions or needs. We are here at our James Street location here in Toms River, NJ Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM and on Saturday from 9:30AM to 2:30PM. Let us help you find the right solution for you.

As the end of summer approaches

Back to school time, those of us with school age children, those of you without still feel the changes. Suddenly the isles in every store, no matter if it is a grocery store or along the lines of a CVS, are lined with bins of pencils, markers, glue sticks, erasers… you name it every product closely related for kids and their supplies are everywhere. Even odd items like pillow pets make their way out front; personally my daughter does not need yet another pillow pet, as her room is vastly becoming a zoo. With the school year beginning it brings us into another season, the fall with its cool days and all the green changing into brilliant shades of gold, bronze and reds that are truly beautiful to see.

It also reminds us that once again things need to get re-organized. Maybe we bought extra outdoor furniture or  new lawn care items that are now in need of a space to store them, taking one look in your garage and moaning at the lack of space you hop online and search for local storage. We here at Storage Station know all too well what the change of seasons bring, I had one renter go back to college and let me know she will give me a call in the spring since she will be needing the space at the end of the semester. Most phone calls I receive inquiring about storage have mostly been the need for people to clear out the garage so they can actually put their car back in where it belongs.

I look at the squirrels running around my yard every morning so very busy collecting and digging in for the winter yet to come, we are the same way; as soon as the first chill hits us we are busy, no more lazy summer days poolside with a good book. In the beginning of the spring we gear up to take everything out of storage that has been hiding all winter long, we lovingly clean all the furniture, new propane tanks for the grill. I think because the weather is so nice and warm and we spend so much time outdoors we wind up with more stuff then we had planned, we are not locked in like we are in the winter time, in the winter we are more confined to interior spaces so we don’t necessarily buy as much in turn we don’t need more storage space, well at least in my house that is the case,

I have a simple kind of attitude toward things, which I am told I am lucky to have…. If I don’t need it I do not own it, if it doesn’t have a purpose or do something I do not own it.  I don’t want to have to find a spot to put it away, yes I like things simple. To simplify things my renters come to me for space, for all the things they do not use on a regular basis or even a seasonal basis, some trade one season for another here, others just for the winter. I have one who stores his motorcycle in a unit, he tells me it is ideal, we are gated ,fenced and lighted so he parks it covers it and is I don’t see him again until the spring smiling from ear to ear, when he is ready to break free once again and hit the road. TTYS

As Summer Draws To An End

With Labor Day just around the corner, things are really bustling here on 25 James St. and 29 Flint Rd. in Toms River. Everyone is trying to cram in any last remaining fun in the sun before September comes and school starts. The roads are teeming with cars full of families headed to the beach, trying to enjoy the ocean before the temperatures start to dip. School shopping is in full force with every store offering unbelievable deals on anything from school supplies to back to school clothes. I also see the sad faces of the teenagers resigned to the fact that their carefree days of summer are coming to an end, and the little kids that are bursting with excitement and anticipation about all the great things that they will be doing in school. They all know that once September is here things go back to normal.

You see, living at the Jersey Shore to me is wonderful .  I love the fact that I can enjoy the Ocean, Barnegat Bay, and all of the other natural beauty of the area. There is a peaceful quiet that prevails for about nine months out of the year, then, WHAM!! Summer comes and everybody from every part of the state, as well as several other states invade our tiny area. Driving anywhere in town takes twice as long, and forget about the local businesses and vendors. They are buzzing with activity trying to keep up with the high demand for their product. You can’t blame those out of town folks.  We do have all of the amenities for summer fun and relaxation.  The local businesses also count on the additional revenue from the summer tourist season. This is the only way they can stay in business during the slower winter months.  Down this way it isn’t uncommon for your entire year to hinge on your earnings during the summer season. But, just the thought of getting back to normal is very thrilling to me. I am used to being first or second on line at WaWa, and this entire summer I averaged about tenth in line. Here I am on my way to work, grabbing a quick cup of coffee, and everyone else is wearing bathing suits and flip flops ready to have a great day on the beach. I would feel so jealous until I thought about who the lucky one really is! You see, they enjoy our beautiful area while it is crowded and congested, while we get to enjoy it all year round. This makes me feel better as I stand in that long line.

The one thing that I do miss once summer is gone is all of our tenants that use our facility for their summer fun. They store their jet skis, campers, and camping gear. Once summer is over they park for the winter, and start planning for their next summer adventure. We don’t see them often during the winter months. Every once in a while they will stop down to check their belongings and see if they OK.  They’ll stop in to chat and let us know what has been going on with them.

Well, good bye Summer! You were beautiful while you lasted, but for this Ocean County resident it will bring peace and quiet back into my small little town.

HOW CAN IT BE AUGUST ALREADY!

As I sit here at 25 James Street I reflect back to how busy a week it has been. Typically the beginning of the month is always hectic with tenants stopping in to pay their monthly storage bill and catch up on what has been going on. I look forward to seeing everyone and hearing all about their month.

Our location on 29 Flint Road in South Toms River has been especially busy this week. This is such a great location for outside parking. It is conveniently located to all of the major areas in Toms River, Beachwood, and surrounding areas. This week alone we rented 6 parking spots. I guess word has gotten out about our great rates and accessibility.

Another trend that I’m noticing here in Toms River is a some people are deciding to live on their boats especially during the summer months so they can enjoy the water full time. We have a number of tenants at our Flint St. location that store a lot of their belongings and have taken to the seafaring way of life. With all of the larger items from a home in a self storage unit, they can get to anything they need, but also live virtually clutter free, and when you’re living on a boat every bit of space matters.

 Over on 25 James we have so many long term tenants that rent in the area and just need that extra bit of space. They are in and out all of the time grabbing what they need for that weekend party, or bringing their off season clothes to store.  Christmas time is always busy with everyone coming to get their Christmas decorations and lights out of storage, excited to start decorating their homes for the holidays. We have a number of tenants that store all of their Christmas presents and goodies in their units so nobody can peek, and everyone will be excited Christmas morning.  I’m thinking we should change our name around the holidays from Storage Station to Santa Station.

The one thing that I have been really noticing is an increase in younger people who were living on their own, but have lost their job, or apartment. They are storing a lot of their furniture and moving back with Mom and Dad until they can get back on their feet. I meet so many well educated young adults and worry about their future. I have three grown children facing this challenge and it is not easy. Having said that I also see an enthusiasm, and a relish for life that can’t be extinguished by the challenges they face.  By renting a self storage unit they are able to hold on to all of the things that they have acquired while living on their own. Being a parent in this scenario, there is no way they are bringing all of that stuff home with them, so this is a win win situation. When they have re established themselves in the working world, their processions will be waiting for them, ready for their new place.

So, let the summer continue as beautiful as it has been. Down here in Toms River we are all enjoying the warm days, and flurry of activities that go along with it.  Through all of your summer travels please remember we are always here for your storage needs.