What’s Happening in Your Neighbourhood
We here at Access Storage Canada have locations across Ontario and most recently held a grand opening for our first location in Quebec. Our company is unique in that each of our locations is like their own small family. We’ve always believed that this is the best way to provide true customer service.
With numerous locations (or should we say families) we thought it would be great to provide you with a glance at some great events and deals that you can take advantage of. Let’s take the tour!
Brampton
Our two Brampton locations are always willing to help their customers and the community in any way they can. They are continuously involved in local events and will jump at an opportunity to help you with any questions you may have.
- They understand that the economy hasn’t been all that easy for Canadians. That’s why for the month of April you get you an entire month of storage for a buck! (Yep, $1.00).
- U-haul truck rentals are now available at our Brampton location, which makes it a convenient location for all of your storage needs.
Kitchener
Our Kitchener location is starting a new tradition. They have been searching for the best way to show their appreciation for those that they work with on a daily basis. They have planned a great reception that will allow people to network, share best practices, and meet storage professionals.
- On May 2nd they will be hosting their first Contractor Appreciation Breakfast. For more details, contact them here.
Scarborough
Our East Toronto location has been dedicated to its customers since day one. They understand that finding the proper moving supplies that meet your requirements is sometimes a difficult task. Now there is no more guess-work required.
- With an on-site UPS Store our storage professionals can help you purchase the appropriate moving supplies that are best suited for your project. These are products you can always rely on.
Etobicoke
This West Toronto location has taken the desire to connect with the community to an entirely different level. They are always looking for new ways to engage with their customers, but it’s not always about sales.
- On April 18th they will be holding their monthly Mover’s Appreciation Day event, which is a wonderful way for customers and movers to network with our storage professionals and each other. It’s a small token of their appreciation and support.
- On May 5th they will be holding their storage auction at 137 Queen’s Plate Drive. Come out and try your luck!
Burlington
Our Burlington location has been recognized for their incredible contributions to the local community. They are always searching for ways to give back to a city that has always supported them since the start. Participating in local events and charities is always at the top of their list, but sometimes they want to go a little bit further.
- They are offering an introductory deal of 50% off your first cycle – a perfect way to celebrate the start of Spring!
- Also, take advantage of their on-site UPS Retail Store that offers you a wide array of moving supplies and boxes.
Company Wide
Regardless of where you call home, we here at Access Storage want to make your storage, moving, or downsizing project simple, efficient, and worry free. Sometimes getting your things from point A to point B is the most difficult task of them all.
- With the booking of a storage unit we provide you with FREE use of our cargo move-in van. Contact a location near you to book your space today.
Your Complete Spring Cleaning Guide
We always hear people discussing the dreaded Spring clean. I think we all fear that annual project. There’s a reason why hearing “Spring clean” is usually followed by a sour face or a deep sigh. It’s because it takes a lot of time, effort and it usually never goes how we plan.
It’s a process! We start to pull out stuff from storage – everything from seasonal wardrobes to lawnmowers and gardening tools. At the same time we have a growing list of items we need to put back into storage, like snowblowers, winter sports equipment and those holiday decorations that never did make it back to the closet (even if you told your wife or husband they did).
People tend to handle the Spring clean in one of two ways: a gradual, slow process or an all-in-one-entire clean. But, if you can’t free up an entire day or weekend, you only have one other choice: the gradual method.
Since most of us have jobs, family commitments and a self-diagnosed allergy to house-cleaning, the all-at-once choice isn’t very realistic. Don’t worry, that’s why we’re here to help keep you on track, stay focused and ensure you don’t go bald from pulling your hair out in frustration.
Step One: Making the List
Start to make a list of things that:
1. Need to be thrown out,
2. Need to be given away, and;
3. Need to be put into storage.
Go through each room of your home and start sorting any clutter into these three categories. Be sure to tackle one room at a time to ensure you don’t make the mistake of cleaning the same room twice.
Set aside some time to take certain items to the landfill or local charity – just be sure to label them so you don’t mix them up!
Step Two: Moving your Winter Items into Self-Storage
Now that you have the items that need to be stored for the summer months it’s time to start thinking about the things that you need to bring out of winter storage. Then we make the switch!
Schedule one day to make a rotation of items at your self-storage unit. And, if you don’t have a storage unit, this process can be modified for your basement, attic, garage or shed.
Step Three:
Now that the de-clutter and storage process is over, it’s time to tackle the actual clean. This stage could be done over a full week, which allows you to take care of those once-a-year jobs that we love so much:
- Washing drapes and carpets,
- Cleaning the windows,
- Testing smoke detectors, and;
- Dusting and sweeping behind your appliances and furniture.
Setting aside one chore a day is fairly manageable. At the end of the week you should have sparkling clean house.
A Few Things to Remember
- Stay organized by keeping detailed lists and timelines.
- Stay on track by remaining disciplined and sticking to your schedule.
- Have a plan for each stage so you aren’t left wondering what you are doing next.
- Don’t fret if it takes you longer than expected – remember, it’s a process!
- Try getting your family involved (it may take some bribing).
- Most importantly, give yourself (and anyone else involved) a post-Spring clean reward. You deserve it!
Access Storage Offer
Spring cleaning always goes better when you can save a little money. Access Storage often has special offers to help you store your Winter things. So give us a call to see how we can make your Spring Clean a little easier.
Reinventing ‘‘Business-as-Usual’’
Reader’s Choice Diamond Award – Best Self-Storage Centre
Access Storage Burlington has been awarded the Reader’s Choice, Diamond Award for the Best Self-Storage Centre for three years running. This title is as much a testament to their incredible services and warm staff as it is to their involvement in local community events and organizations.
With more than 30 locations across Ontario and Quebec, we continue to build a company that is uniquely immersed in each local community. Our Burlington location offers a perfect example of this progressive management style that has changed the way a community views a business. No more is this self-storage facility seen as just another company on the streets of Burlington. Rather, it is continually praised for being an integral part of the community’s diverse, social fabric.
Connecting with the Community
As much as customer service is a top priority for all of our locations, we are most proud of what we have been able to achieve outside of our company in cities like Burlington.
‘‘We have built remarkably strong relationships with so many community members through our active participation in events and organizations that mean something to the people of this city,’’ said Ron Lambert, Site Manager for Access Storage Burlington. ‘‘From Burlington Minor Soccer, Joseph Brant Hospital, Ride to Conquer Cancer, Rotary Clubs of Burlington, to the successful Run for the Cure, we are constantly pushing our team to be directly involved in the community by volunteering our time.’’
The Philosophy
We believe that everything we do within our company or out in the community should be focused on those around us. We have created a corporate culture that inspires our team members to give back to their community in unique and meaningful ways.
We’re one big family that supports each other in everything that we do. But what makes us unique is the fact that our family isn`t just confined by our walls. It includes every community member in every city that we work in. They are just as much a part of our team as anyone else.
‘‘Our goal is to build a company that is synonymous with family and volunteerism,’’ said Ron Lambert. ‘‘It makes us proud to be able to say that our customers view us as more than just a company, they see us as a family that they can rely on.’’
Definition of Success
At Access Storage we are not just a service provider, we are a part of the community. Giving back to those around us and helping local organizations succeed is something that we hope all businesses authentically adopt. Our team does not define our success by sales; rather we define it by what we have achieved within the community.
Do you have a community event that you would like us to help out with? Email us the details – we’d love to work with you!
5 Tips for Perfect Packing
Putting things in storage can be a tricky undertaking for even the most skilled packer. From wrestling with where things should go, to trying to maximize limited space or even deciding what order to pack things in, navigating the decisions of packing can be a surprisingly daunting experience.
Have you ever seen those comedy sketches when someone lifts up a box and all their belongings go right through the bottom? Sure these scenes are funny, but that’s, not something we want to experience ourselves. Truth is, packing can be stressful. We get that.
So, if you suffer from Packing Phobia, not to worry. We here at Access Storage are as close to professional box packers as you can get. So, we decided to put a few tips together to ensure your next storage project doesn’t resemble that of a hit 1950’s slapstick comedy.
1. Be Meticulous: Have a Strategy
When you decide to embark on any storage project make sure you take a moment to plan. Organization means fewer headaches. Stack boxes and arrange them in a way that allows you to access them without difficulty. You may also want to clearly mark all boxes, cluster certain types of items together and even draw yourself a map of where things are.
2. Don’t Cram
Wherever you are storing your boxes and other items make sure you leave a little bit of room between each object. This allows air to circulate and it prevents mould and mildew from forming. This is also a great rule of thumb to follow to reduce damage and scraps.
3. Leave a Space at the Top
It is very common to stack boxes one on top of the other. With this in mind be sure to leave about 2-4 cm between your items inside and the top of the box. Pack the unused area with newspaper, cloth or packing paper. This way your items are further protected.
4. Maximize Your Space
Storing your items takes up space and it seems to increase each year. If you have larger items with hollow spaces, store other things inside of them. Maximize all the space you have available by getting creative.
5. Most Importantly, Seal Properly
Make sure your seal the tops and bottoms of your boxes carefully and securely. It is better to over-tape these areas to give added durability. Also, it is recommended to use official packing tape or duct tape to ensure reliability. Scotch or masking tape will not hold up over time.
Have any other tips you’d like to share with our team? Email us and we’ll post it in our next list!
5 Great Tips for Holiday Storage
Happy New Year everyone!
The holiday season has been a whirlwind! Between the family gatherings, shopping, giving back to the community, delicious meals and running in 2012, time has flown by. It feels like just yesterday we were embarking on the annual mad dash to get everything ready for the holidays.
There is a lot of preparation, planning and time that goes into the holiday season – even though it is supposed to be an opportunity for us all to relax. We as Canadians delightfully face some major transitions that follow the seasonal change. Whether we are packing up the snow blower, putting away the parkas and snowsuits, trying to find space for our snowboards and skis, or struggling to find the right spot for our fragile decorations, it’s a difficult task for anyone.
We can’t make all the holiday headaches disappear, but we’re doing our best to make the transition from winter into spring a little easier on you this year. Here are 10 tips and tricks that will help make your life a little bit simpler when it comes to storing seasonal items:
1. Safety First
If you are packing items in boxes or bins, be sure it weighs no more than 50 lbs. This is a reasonable amount for safe lifting.
2. Keep Your Fragile Items Safe
The holiday season is full of decorations, lights, festive serving dishes and extra plates for the large family gatherings. When storing these fragile items, be sure to wrap them in cloth, pack them loosely and use plenty of paper between each object. Always remember, you need to use these next year!
3. Keeping Organized
There are countless items that are brought out just for the holidays. When you store them for the year, label the boxes on all sides to keep it simple. You could even colour code your boxes for easy identification.
4. Saving Money
The holiday season can be hard on our finances. If you are planning to do any cleaning, moving or storing, you may want to search local online listings for used moving materials and resources.
5. Don’t Overestimate Capacity
When using cardboard boxes for storing, be sure not to pack too much into each one. Taped boxes can’t withstand a lot of weight.s
Do you have any other tips you’d like to share with our team? Leave a comment below. We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy holiday cleaning!
Thank you for Another Successful Toy Mountain Drive!
Whew! Access Storage has some pretty great customers and neighbors. With your help, we were able to raise 1082 toys! That’s pretty incredible! It means that lots of families in the GTA will have a happier Christmas thanks to the generosity of our amazing customers. Also, we would like to thank our wonderful corporate partners Toy and Party Services, Kroger Inc., and BLJC.
Thank You to Our Amazing Staff
We also want to thank our great team of employees for helping out in collecting toys, and especially our very own Chris Martins, who is the heart and soul of Toy Mountain here at Access Storage. We have pretty amazing folks on our team (Hey, sometimes it’s good to brag), and Chris is a great example of the heart and caring that sets Access Storage apart. Thank you to all who helped out, and a special shout-out to Chris!
So What Happens Now?
To see Chris and Access Storage in action, tune in to CTV News on Thursday December 22nd, between 6 and 7pm, when all the toys collected in the GTA are handed off to the Salvation Army for sorting and distribution to families in time for Christmas.
Again, thank you to all of our customers, partners, and staff. When we all pull together, we can do some pretty magical things, like helping to give kids a happier Christmas.
And from our family, to your family, have a wonderful HoHoHo Holiday Season.
Access Storage Helps CTV’s Mountain Toy Drive 2011
Many of us at Access Storage grew up right here in the GTA, and we always look forward to the magic of the holidays. Most of all, we remember how wonderful it was to open presents, and just be kids.
We also know that families across the GTA are struggling. And for struggling families, the holiday season can be a time of great stress and pressure. Often, just making ends meet is challenging enough, let alone the added expense of buying toys for our children. As a result, right here in the GTA, many children go without receiving any toys at all over the holidays.
Access Storage, along with CTV, is committed to doing something about that.
CTV Toy Mountain Toy Drive
This year will mark the third year Access Storage is participating in the CTV Toy Mountain Toy Drive. Last year, through the generosity of our wonderful customers, neighbors, and staff, Access Storage Canada was able to raise more than 1200 toys for the CTV Toy Mountain Drive. This year, we’re hoping to beat that number.
But we can’t do it without your help.
Help give Christmas by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to any one of our locations before December 23rd, 2011. You can find our locations by clicking here. Or better yet, since we’ve recently added some new locations, check out the list below to find an Access Storage near you. All toys are welcome, but there is always a particular need for toys for 0-2 year olds, as well as for teens. We’ll pass it to CTV who will be collecting it on behalf of the Salvation Army.
Check back here often for updates of how we’re doing. And please share / tweet / Facebook this page so we can help all families enjoy the holidays the way we remember it as kids.
Here’s a list of locations (with email addresses and contact phone numbers), where you can drop off your new, unwrapped toy for a child in need this holiday:
- Access Storage- Brampton – 143 Heartlake Rd, 905-457-0777 – 143heartlake@accessstorage.ca
- Access Storage – Brampton North – 71 Rosedale Ave. West, 905-454-4482 – 71rosedale@accessstorage.ca
- Access Storage – Burlington – 4305 Fairview St, 905-632-6886 – Burlington@accessstorage.ca
- Access Storage – Etobicoke – 137 Queens Plate Dr, 416-747-9514 – queensplate@accessstorage.ca
- Access Storage – Kitchener – 50 Ottawa St. South, 519-584-7867 – 50ottawa@accessstorage.ca
- Self Storage Plus – Kitchener – 1545 Victoria St. North, 519-742-5559 – manager@selfstorageplus.ca
- Access Storage – Mississauga – 37 John St, 905-270-3771 – 37john@accessstorage.ca
- Access Storage – North York – 3680 Victoria Park Ave, 416-491-5777 – victoriapark@accessstorage.ca
- Access Storage – Scarborough – 100 Canadian Rd, 416-438-1661 – 100canadian@accessstorage.ca
- Town Centre Storage – Scarborough – 1340 Ellesmere Rd, 416-292-9900 – 1340ellesmere@towncentrestorage.com
- London Self Storage – London – 3425 Roe St, 519-686-9900 – 3425roe@londonselfstorage.ca
- Store It Yourself – North Bay – 95 Gibson St, 705-476-5715 – 95gibson@storeityourself.ca
Thank you to all of our customers and neighbors for helping to make this year’s Toy Mountain Toy Drive a success. You really are the best.
Do you have a favorite childhood holiday memory? Feel free to share it in the comments below!
About Access Storage
Access Storage is Canada’s most trusted storage company, both for companies and for folks who just want more space for their stuff. With locations across the GTA, there’s probably an Access Storage location just down the street from you. You can visit us anytime between 9-5, give us a call at 1-877-217-8673, or visit us online at www.AccessStorage.ca.
Storage Advice
Moving is an arduous task and requires a lot of time and effort if it is to be done right. A well thought out plan can make this task simple and easy if you plan of doing the move yourself. We at Access Storage can help, with 8 convenient locations in Southern Ontario, moving supplies, a free mov-in van and helpful, knowledgeable staff we believe our storage solutions experts can guide you to a simple and easy move that day.
Looking to expand your business ? Then call us first. Our up-to-date modern and secure facilities offer business owners and managers a solution for their expanding needs. Safety, security, accessibility and made to order units are always available to help you and your business grow.
Before you rent anything, check out the following tips:
Choosing a Self-Storage Facility:
- Location, Location, Location.
- It’s best to opt for a smaller storage unit and pack it to the ceiling rather than pay for space you’re not using.
Packing Tips:
- Boxes that are a uniform size are easier to stack (remember to keep the heavy ones on the bottom and the light ones on top).
- Use proper size boxes and packing supplies to protect your goods (each box and packing supply has a specific use, ask your storage experts)
- Small walkways between the boxes and furniture make it easier to get to your items.
- Even with ample security, it is still wise to pack your storage unit so that your most valuable items are at the back and don’t forget to purchase a high quality padlock to put on the door.
Pre-Planning Tips:
- Emailing a spreadsheet of your inventory to yourself allows you to always have access to know what’s in your unit.
- Photographing any unique or valuable belongings, adds another layer of peace of mind.
- Got any electronic equipment with serial numbers?
Packing Materials:
- Proper uniform sized boxes
- Wardrobe boxes with hanger bars
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap & newspaper
- Ziploc bags
- Sharpie marker
7 tips to Pack like a pro:
- Pack one room at a time.
- Any items that you don’t need for your daily living routine should be packed first.
- Important items (such as photographs, wills, jewelry, home videos, and any other important documents) should be packed separately so that you can personally carry them with you on moving day.
- Fragile items should be packed loosely with plenty of wrapping. The boxes must be clearly labeled “FRAGILE”. Stack them towards the top of your piles.
- Non-breakable items should be packed snugly in smaller boxes. You will want to make sure that they are not too heavy, and that they are at a weight you feel comfortable carrying. Don’t forget to pack your books flat, alternating the bindings so they will stack evenly.
- When possible, small appliances and electronic equipment should be packed in the boxes they came in, and then taped securely.
- In order to avoid unnecessary ironing later on, make sure you have enough wardrobe boxes.