After finding out that a new self-storage site was setting up in Bluffton, one woman called a reporter wanting to know how large it would be.
She said its future location is close to her home, and she’s worried about increased traffic and noise, especially if boats are kept there.
The telephone call was made from Plantation Self Storage of Bluffton.
The new project, pending before state regulators, calls for building a self-storage facility on Lot 4 off of Oliver Court in the Bluffton Park Commercial subdivision. Access to the lots will consist of tying into the existing cul-de-sac on Oliver Court, according to plans submitted to Bluffton town officials in May.
But some local businesspeople believe the area already has plenty of storage options for people to stash excess furniture after moving, household goods, office equipment, boats and other property.
Construction of the new four-acre commercial project, Bluffton Self Storage, is expected to be finished in March.
“It’s definitely going to cut into the piece of the pie,” said Terrina Frank of Village Self Storage.
“I think it’s going to affect our business.”
Brenda, the manager of Universal Storage, who would only provide her first name, was also apprehensive and named eight existing self-storage operators.
Is there room for yet another?
“I think they’re doing an overkill. I really do,” said Brenda. “If somebody wanted to do parking, that would be different. Nobody has enough space.”
Still, she said her facilities are well-established.
“I’ve got some loyal customers and I have recent customers, because I’ve been the manager for 14 1/2 years,” said the Universal Storage manager.
How the new self storage facility fits into the current market offerings in the Bluffton area will be known only after it’s operational. The facilities are subject to zoning approvals but don’t fall under any regulations for how many may operate within a given radius.
Others aren’t concerned about the newcomer.
Bob Stewart, manager of Palmetto Self Storage in Bluffton, had no qualms about welcoming another to the area.
“The Bluffton area is growing, and I would suggest there’s likely room for a (new) storage facility,” he said.
“A lot of people come and rent with the intention of moving here, or they’ve moved from up north and have more furniture than they have room in their new house,” he said.
“We’re seeing so much growth.”
Nationwide, there are 55,000 storage facilities, including about 4,000 that are owned by national companies, according to the Charleston-based Self Storage Association of South Carolina. South Carolina has about 700 sites.
J. E. Wallace, the association’s executive director, said the industry is largely local businesspeople helping their community members with storage space.
“Storage is used by everybody,” Wallace said Friday. “It’s used when you’re in college, it’s used when you’re retiring, when you’re having kids, when you upsize, when you downsize or when you remodel the house.”
What about retirees moving to the South Carolina coast after living in the Northeast and Midwest?
“If you anywhere near a Del Webb community, that could be higher than normal,” said the association head.