As the sole owner of Flanders Insurance Agency for about 30 years, Owen Costanza saw an opportunity outside his office window.
In 2016, he bought 10 acres of land next door and is now also the owner of Lyford Storage. Both businesses are headquartered at 1947 N. Lyford Road.
The first two storage buildings immediately filled up. More spaces are available in four new buildings that house 57 units, including 10×20 units and 10×40 units. As they fill up, Costanza plans to build more.
“The resale business is huge,” he says. “A lot of people go to estate sales and make a living reselling items online or at retail shops. More and more people are starting up small businesses and getting involved in ecommerce and need a place to store equipment and supplies.
“Trades people will use a storage unit for a safe place to park a trailer full of tools and other expensive equipment. Some people will spend hours at their units, using it as a workshop or an off-site office, where employees meet to get assignments and supplies before heading out for a day’s work,” he adds.
Other reasons people rent a storage unit include decluttering and making space at home, and storing seasonal items, boats, jet skis, vintage cars, snowmobiles, furniture, lawn, exercise and business equipment, and more.
The storage units are not temperature controlled and have security cameras on every building. In the next phase of development, four more buildings will be added, the property will be gated, and individuals will have an access code to get into their paid units at any time day or night.
Lyford Storage is also an independent dealer for U-Haul, operating as a drop-off and pick-up site for U-Haul trailers, vans, car haulers and U-boxes. U-Haul manages the website lyfordstorage.com for Lyford Storage, where people can book rental units and reserve U-Haul equipment for their moving needs. However, each business operates independently.
For more information, visit lyfordstorage.com or call (815) 226-1444 ext. 204.