Access Self Storage Brings Southern Charm to Metropolitan Families

The story of Access Self Storage spans more than four decades. The family-owned, neighborhood-focused business combines southern hospitality with metropolitan drive, with self-storage facilities located in 21 communities throughout the N.Y. and N.J. areas.

Patch: Tell us about the Access Self Storage beginnings.

Access Self Storage: It’s a really nice story. Our owners, Ken and Foy Cooley, were heading home to North Carolina for a birthday celebration. Along their drive, Foy saw these rows of one story buildings with tons of doors on the exteriors. She noticed the “Storage for rent” sign and thought out loud to Ken, “I wonder if something like this could work up North?” And so, Access Self Storage was born. The first facility in the N.Y. metropolitan area was opened in Eatontown, N.J. in 1977. After Eatontown, the second Access Self Storage of Woodbridge opened in 1981, and the company has been expanding ever since.

Patch: What are Access Self Storage's core values?

Access Self Storage: Our simple truth: We care about people and their things. Our brand promise: We promise to provide the optimal storage solutions with care and professionalism. You will not be treated better anywhere else.

Patch: Access Self Storage specializes in 20 communities throughout New Jersey and New Yorkd. How did you come to select these locations?

Access Self Storage: The formulas for determining the need for self-storage play a big part. You have to determine if there are enough people in a certain radius to then determine if the demand is great enough to support a self-storage facility. That plus 40+ years in the business helps. Instinct and intuition are powerful tools that help make the right real estate decisions.

Patch: Tell us about Access Self Storage's newest site in Saddle Brook.

Access Self Storage: We’re really excited about Saddle Brook. It’s a great market with a beautifully designed facility. We will have extended access hours for our tenants, ample parking and a robust security system. Safety and security are the most important aspects of our business. We want tenants to feel comfortable every time they visit their unit.

Patch: What are the benefits of self-storage?

Access Self Storage: It may sound corny, but peace of mind is what we hope to convey to our tenants. Renting a self-storage unit isn’t an impulse buy. No one gets up in the morning and thinks, “I think I’ll rent some storage space today.” Self-storage is triggered by an event—sometimes good, like a new job or relocation or new home, sometimes not, like a divorce. Whatever the event, self-storage provides the tenant with storage space on a month-to-month basis at a reasonable price, knowing that they have access to their goods whenever they need them.

Patch: How does Access Self Storage measure success?

Access Self Storage: Our referral program and the number of repeat customers is stronger than the industry average. We’re very proud of that because it means we’ve treated our tenants right and they feel comfortable referring us to others. We’re also very proud of our longevity. We have tenants who have been with us for 10-15 years. That tells us we’re doing a great job.

Patch: What tips can you offer to clients interested in utilizing a mover?

Access Self Storage: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Please do your homework. Make sure the mover is licensed in the state you are moving to. Make sure they are licensed intrastate as well if you are moving between states. Check their BBB rating, and read the reviews that are posted online. If a mover shows up in a rental truck and not their own branded truck, they may be sub-contractors. Don’t give them your goods! And get everything in writing.

Patch: Access Self Storage is a family-owned business. What role do family and community play?

Access Self Storage: We are a neighborhood business. People want to store their goods as close to their home as possible. We make every effort to purchase goods and services from local businesses. We are a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and we participate in many local events, like street fairs, sports events and charity events. We’re proud of the fact that our employees know many of our tenants by name. Our owners and their children are part of the business. Their knowledge and expertise help guide our business decisions.

Patch: Access Storage celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016. What is the outlook for the future of the business? What's next?

Access Self Storage: We’re so excited about several new development projects we’re working on as well as adding five new third-party management contracts to our portfolio of businesses. We like the thought of expanding in the Philadelphia and Delaware markets. And four of our employees are expecting a child this year, so the Access family is growing!

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about Access Self Storage?

Access Self Storage: Visit us at www.accessselfstorage.com.

Photo credit: Access Self Storage