Need extra space? National storage company buys into New Bern as demand climbs

If you need a secondary place to store your possessions, a newly purchased self-storage facility re-opened in New Bern to satisfy the strong demand in the area.

Valley Storage on 2908 Neuse Blvd. replaced the formerly existing Tryon Mini Storage and began welcoming renters right before Christmas, Dec. 21, 2021.

The facility consists of 256 temperature-controlled and outdoor storage units and New Bern was the perfect target for the growing business.

"We love New Bern because it has the demographics we look for," said Todd Snook, president of Valley Storage. "A small town close to a larger market (Wilmington), low cost of living and the demand exceeds supply right now."

Snook said the high demand is rooted from pent up request from COVID-19, as well as more people working from home that need the additional workspace.

The 35 year family-owned business can be found in 45 locations within seven states. Valley Storage is placed in Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and now Tennessee.

The New Bern facility was purchased along with four other self-storages in North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia right before the new year.

Who really needs the extra space in New Bern?

With New Bern being a growing area, more houses are being built that don't seem to provide storage space like they did in the past.

"Most complaints I hear in the homes themselves is they just don't have the same amount of storage that they used to have," said Jeffrey Ruggieri, director of development services in New Bern. "Closets are smaller than they used to be."

In addition to New Bern not having basements for the most part, deed restrictions limit what is allowed to store outside and what can be created as far as extra storage structure, Ruggieri said.

Hurricane Florence is also a contributor to the inquiries for extra space, even three years later.

"After the hurricane, we had an influx of people needing storage facilities because there were hundreds and hundreds of houses flooded out," said Chuck Tyson, Mayor of Trent Woods, plus self-storage owner. "A lot of those people still have not gotten back into their houses, and they're still renting storage facilities for their possessions."

The amount of new people moving to the area is what is fueling the demand more than anything else, Tyson said.

"Last year we've processed almost double our single family residential permits than we've ever done," Ruggieri said. "So we're seeing incredible growth in the residential market and that will lonely fuel the need for storage facilities."

Garages tend to be the storage area in houses, but some smaller houses do not have that option.

"Some of these houses don't have garages and they have a lot of gear and need to find somewhere to put into storage," Tyson said. "A lot of the smaller houses that are built over in Derby Park and some of those areas, they don't have garages."

More facilities on the way

Ruggieri said along major arterial roads or areas close to larger residential type developments tend to be home for storage facilities.

"We'll probably see a few more pop up out west," he said. "Maybe one or two more as the West New Bern project gets going."

Tyson owns three storage facilities within Craven County and he is in the process of building more maxi self-storages in the Trent Woods area. He said his current units stay full, so he doesn't have any available to rent.

Maxi storages are sometimes used for small businesses like plumbing and electrical. Tyson said Trent Woods doesn't have any storage facilities because the area is mainly residential, not commercial.

As for the new competition, Tyson said it is a good thing. He believes the similar businesses are not only good for the consumer, but it helps keep the price down.

"There always seems like a demand for storage facilities, whether they be a small mini storage or the larger units," he said. "There seems like a lot of units are being built in the area too."

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Valley Storage facility replaces Tryon Mini Storage in New Bern