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Should You Store Jewelry and Other Valuables in Self Storage?

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Where should you be keeping your jewelry

Should you leave valuables like jewelry in a storage unit?

Self-storage is great for household items and non-perishable business stock and equipment, but resist the
temptation to store valuables like jewelry in your unit. Self-storage isn’t a substitute for a vault of safety
deposit box. While self-storage facilities do have security, no security system is completely impervious to
professional thieves. Further your insurance and that of the self-storage operator may not cover valuable
jewelry left in a self-storage unit.
Also consider that jewelry and other collectables often require a special environment to help maintain
their condition. Jewelry, for example, is delicate and needs to be stored where the temperature does not
fluctuate. Temperature fluctuations can cause jewelry to become brittle and warp.
Self storage facilities are also not impervious to things like fires, flooding and tornadoes that can damage
irreplaceable valuables. Safety deposit boxes, however, are designed to withstand these natural disasters.
For these reasons, you are better off keeping jewelry and other collectables in a fire proof safe or safety
deposit box.

Safety deposit box and jewelry

Keeping jewelry in a bank deposit box

At the very least store your jewelry in a secure location that is climate-controlled and can
provide protection against theft, pests, moisture, and other environmental hazards.
Pro Tip for storing jewelry: pack your jewelry in its original boxes or other soft containers to protect
them from scratches so these valuable retain their value for years to come.

 

If you are looking for more updates and information about storage and SGA as a business, you should check out our Linkedin page

Jumping The Self Storage Line

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Climbing the Self Storage Line

Jumping The Self Storage Line

Self storage businesses across Alberta have been getting busy. So, finding a storage unit at the
last minute has become much harder.

Here’s how to get a leg up on your fellow storage unit hunters.

As soon as you are aware that you need storage, start looking. It costs nothing to look around.

Remember price isn’t everything
Check reviews and also see how the business connects with its customers. Is communication
strictly online? Do calls go to a remote call center? Are staff knowledgeable about storage and
the local community?

Pro Tip:
Is there someone onsite if you need help? Moving and storing your belongings can be stressful
and having knowledgeable help available can make or break your storage experience

Be flexible
Could you take a slightly bigger or smaller unit? Using an online storage calculator will help you
choose the right size for your belongings.

Directions

Plan Ahead

Pro Tip:
If there isn’t a storage unit in the size you need ask about making up the size you need by using
two smaller units.

Get your name on a waiting list
A good self storage business will call if you are on a waiting list and a storage unit comes
available.

Pro Tip
There will be times when a unit comes available before storage staff get to people on the
waiting list. That is why keeping an eye on their website can be a huge advantage. Using the
storage company’s online rental platform can help you skip the waiting list, because you can
often move yourself in online before the storage unit is taken by another renter.

Start a conversation with the storage staff
Storage staff can take care of you over email to help you make the most of your time.
Also, don’t be afraid to call the storage office. Most offices don’t mind if you call and check in
from time to time. A good storage operator is there to do what they can to help you!

Small Business Profile: Cilantro & Chive

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Rieley Kay started Cilantro Catering in 2009, doing functions for family and friends. It was always part of their plan to expand into a restaurant as well as catering. An opportunity in Ponoka sped up this part of the plan exponentially.

The first restaurant was in Ponoka. It opened in February 2012, with 5 employees. But within a couple of years the building was sold and Cilantro and Chive’s lease came to an end. Unable to find another suitable location in Ponoka, December 15 2015 they moved to their current location in Lacombe. In the past, this spot has been a bus depot, a bike shop, a train store, antique shop and a general store. Read more

How Self-Storage Can Help an Expanding Family

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Is your family expanding? Space in your home becomes scarce when you are expecting a new addition to the family, or you are in a blended family situation. Ideally, it would be nice to move into a larger home, but is your budget ready for that? If it is, great! If it isn’t, self-storage could be the solution. Self-storage is a cost effective way to maximize the space in your home.

Do you have a bedroom in your home that looks like a storage locker? Maybe it’s time you put those treasures into self-storage, so you have room for the new people coming into your life. What is the cost savings of using a storage unit versus moving from a 3-bedroom home to a 4-bedroom home? On average, that extra bedroom would increase your mortgage by $200/month versus a 5×10 storage locker which averages about $65/month. Moving from a 3-bedroom home to a 4-bedroom with a garage increases your mortgage by $300/month versus a 10×10 storage unit averaging about $100/month. Read more

Small Business Profile: Lacombe Community Market

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One of the things that interests me with my job is the different people that come and go. What kinds of business people do we have storing with us?

One business that grabs my attention is Wendy Buyar who runs the Lacombe Community Market. Read more

Our Favourite Canada Day Memories

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Canada Day is the day to show your Canadian pride! Our staff at Storage Group Alberta wrote about their ideal or most memorable Canada Day celebrations. Read more

Why We Support Big Brothers & Big Sisters or Boys and Girls Clubs

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As a small business in a small community, why would you want to reach out and support a charity such as Big Brothers & Big Sisters (BBBS), The Boys & Girls Club, Girl Guides, or Scouts.

A better question to ask is, why would you not?

Personally, I cherish the time I spend with our local BBBS community. I have children of my own and there have been times where as a parent I’ve had to work very long days. In those times, my son or daughters might have needed a Big Brother or Big Sister. I was fortunate enough to have the support of other family members, but I know many other parents don’t have enough support. I speak from experience when I say a tired parent can only do so much for a child. My fear, as a mother, has always been the possibility of a child not having enough positive adult role models in their young lives. I believe that every parent should know they are not in it alone in raising their child, and that their community is there for them. Read more