Featured Site – Carnation Storage Center

               2006 Facility of the Year!

Carnation Storage Center is a uniquely designed facility fashioned not only to provide storage services to its customers in this rural community, but to bring forward the rich history of this farming area as well.  And now the owner/operator of this award winning facility is being rewarded richly with a business that has quickly reached 99% occupancy in just the first 10 months of operation.  Read on to better understand what important considerations went into developing this successful facility.

The site is located on three acres with direct visibility and access from State Highway 203 that runs through the town of Carnation, WA.  It provides easy to use access for the Self Storage facility and because of the allowable design and easement through the property for a city sewer system the owner was also able to incorporate a much needed Laundromat, further meeting the needs of his customers.

The Design – If you want to get noticed, build a noticeable facility.

One of the most unique features of these buildings is the blending of the historical flavor of the community and the new world use of materials, colors and architectural flare.  The look of the storage buildings takes from the rural commerce of farming and cannery businesses which helped form the community during the 1920’s and 30’s.  Each building features “pop-outs” or elevation points that create a relationship with the retail building and the storage facility rather than detracting from each other.  Enhancing each “pop-out” is lighting provided by high wattage metal halide filters that recreates lighting in a factory from the time period consistent with the building design.

Signage adds to the flavorful design of the period noting prior usage of the industrial base that preceded the new facility while allowing for greater size and exposure for storage marketing.  The owner presented this concept to the City and was allowed a greater proportion of signage exceeding the typical limitations with which most developers must comply.  Photos taken from original canned goods and boxing logos blend with the new storage name which then were produced on vinyl applications ranging from 15-28 feet long, 12 feet high.

Customers’ Needs – A variety of unit sizes, security, climate control, convenience, and comfort.

Carnation Storage Center offers 13 different sizes to it’s customers allowing for more flexible storage choices to their clients and their budgets.   Additionally, the climate control element of the design provided through radiant floor heating gives the customer greater assurance that their valuables will be protected from shifting temperatures while allowing the management group to differentiate themselves from the local competition.  And speaking of security, the systems include indoor and outdoor intercoms, exterior lighting, digital surveillance, cameras and motion detectors, and keypad access and egress management.

The owner added a final element to their local client needs by providing RV and Boat storage to include easy accessibility, various sizes, a dumping station and power hookups.

Uniquely tailored to the community, this Owner has gone to great lengths for his customers while now enjoying a successful business standing beyond any of its competition.

This facility demonstrates some of the key factors that can contribute to the success of any self storage business.