South Lamar Storage & Wine Cellar changes the face of self-storage

Austin, Texas, July 5, 2007 — When South Lamar Storage & Wine Cellar opens its doors on July 16, area residents and businesses will be introduced to a whole new approach to self-storage.

In addition to traditional storage services for general household and office items, the company will offer climate-controlled self-storage solutions for fine wine, tobacco and archival collections, and concierge services to meet the needs of downtown Austin’s high-end clientele.

Will Steakley, vice president of residential sales at urbanspace Realtors LLP in Austin, explains that as Austinites move into small urban spaces, their storage needs are evolving.

"As our youth and empty nesters trade in a garage full of lawnmowers for the simplicity of a maintenance-free box in the sky, the demand for accessible long- and short-term storage within our urban core will become more and more precious,” he said.

“These buyers are downsizing and are all about simplification, but they still need a place to stash a few more things. Lamar Storage is all Austin — hip service and design all in one.”

Residents who rent storage space rank round-the-clock accessibility and proximity as two of the most important features in a facility and South Lamar Storage & Wine Cellar have addressed both concerns.

The facility, developed by Joe Simmons and Heiser Development, offers 24-hour access, dual elevator service and a covered loading dock, and is conveniently located downtown at the intersection of South Lamar and Kinney Avenue.

Craig Thibodeau, general manager of Cissi’s Market in Austin, said that in his search to buy a condominium in the city, he has realized that it is more cost effective to lease space for items like wine than to buy a larger residential unit.

Thibodeau further explained that as companies like Cissi's move into small urban spaces; he sees a growing commercial need for services like South Lamar Storage & Wine Cellar's concierge service, which makes off-site storage a convenient option.

Not only can Thibodeau recommend the company and its services to clients, like most businesses that rent storage space, Cissi's can use the storage facility for their own inventory. Thibodeau explained Cissi's storage needs may increase significantly as the shop purchases more wine to have on hand in an attempt to stay ahead of increasing gas and wine prices.

"We'll need to store that wine at the appropriate temperature," he said.

Colleen Briggs, director of marketing, public relations, events coordinator and concierge services at Ann Kelso Salon, which recently moved to South Congress Avenue in order to attract more walk-in business, explained that as the company attracts more clients, she would consider leasing space for inventory currently taking up space that would otherwise be used as a service room or for an additional stylist.

Briggs said South Lamar Storage & Wine Cellar’s focus on customer service and convenience would make it worthwhile to store the temperature-sensitive color and skincare products used and sold in the salon.

“Value equals time equals money. If we could call and say we need a box of something, that saves part of the hassle,” she said.

Briggs explained that South Lamar Storage & Wine Cellar’s emphasis on security is equally important. The facility is equipped with monitored, controlled, thumbprint-security access.

“With thousands of dollars of retail product, there’s value in the fact that someone is making sure your space is safe,” Briggs said.