U-Haul to Convert Vacant Kmart into Modern Self-Storage Facility

Rhea-AI Summary

U-Haul will transform a former Kmart building at 1500 Charleston Hwy., West Columbia, into over 700 indoor climate-controlled self-storage rooms to address rising customer demand. This adaptive reuse project involves a 100,984-square-foot facility, emphasizing U-Haul's commitment to sustainability by reducing the environmental impact associated with new constructions. The facility will offer high-tech security, affordable pricing, and extended access hours. U-Haul plans to hire at least 12 local team members, further contributing to community growth.

Positive

• Creation of 700+ climate-controlled storage rooms to meet customer demand.
• Sustainability focus through adaptive reuse of 100,984-square-foot facility, reducing environmental impact.
• Hiring at least 12 local team members, contributing to job growth in West Columbia.

Negative

• None.

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C., Oct. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- U-Haul® plans to create more than 700 indoor climate-controlled self-storage rooms at 1500 Charleston Hwy. to meet customer demand in West Columbia.

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Cayce will occupy the former Kmart® building and provide an expansive retail showroom, boxes and moving supplies, hitch accessories and bike racks, truck and trailer sharing, towing equipment and professional hitch installation, U-Box® portable storage containers and more.

Adaptive reuse of the 100,984-square-foot facility will soon render a variety of self-storage units with high-tech security features at affordable price points. Storage customers will have extended hours access. U-Haul acquired the property on Sept. 30.

"Big-box stores have a tendency to sit on the market for a long time because they're so large and only suit a certain type of business," said Kevin Anderson, U-Haul Company of South Carolina president. "U-Haul is unique because we can fully utilize a property of this size, and we can do it without the environmental impact of building a new facility from the ground up thanks to our adaptive reuse program."

Acquisition of the 8.94-acre property was driven by U-Haul Corporate Sustainability initiatives: U-Haul supports infill developments to help local communities lower their carbon footprint. The adaptive reuse of existing buildings reduces the amount of energy and resources required for new-building materials and helps cities reduce their unwanted inventory of unused buildings.

"U-Haul is all about green business practices," Anderson added. "About 70% of our stores are a product of adaptive reuse. We're proud to do business in a sustainable way."

While the U-Haul of Cayce conversion is taking shape, nearby stores and neighborhood dealers are available to serve customers. U-Haul Moving & Storage of West Columbia at 400 Orchard Drive is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Saturday; 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Reserve equipment at uhaul.com or contact Reservations at 1-800-GO-UHAUL.

Anderson plans to employ at least 12 Team Members once the new store is fully operational. U-Haul will look to hire locally to support job growth within the West Columbia community. U-Haul, honored as a "Best for Vets 2020" leading veteran-friendly employer by The Military Times, actively recruits veterans and gives them preference in the hiring process. Find U-Haul careers at uhauljobs.com.

As an essential service provider, U-Haul continues to serve communities during the COVID-19 recovery while offering contactless business programs and enhanced cleaning protocols, including added steps for sanitizing equipment between customer transactions. U-Haul products are used daily by First Responders; delivery companies bringing needed supplies to people's homes; small businesses trying to remain afloat; college students; and many other dependent groups, in addition to the do-it-yourself household mover.

About U-HAUL

Since 1945, U-Haul has been the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers, with a network of more than 23,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 offers secure access to U-Haul trucks every hour of every day through the customer dispatch option on their smartphones and our proprietary Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 176,000 trucks, 126,000 trailers and 46,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers nearly 825,000 rentable storage units and 71.6 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the largest retailer of propane in the U.S., and continues to be the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. U-Haul has been recognized repeatedly as a leading "Best for Vets" employer and was recently named one of the 15 Healthiest Workplaces in America.

Contact:

Andrea Batchelor
Jeff Lockridge
E-mail: publicrelations@uhaul.com
Phone: 602-263-6981
Website: uhaul.com

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SOURCE U-Haul

FAQ

What is U-Haul's new storage facility project in West Columbia about?

U-Haul plans to convert a former Kmart into over 700 indoor climate-controlled self-storage rooms to meet customer demand.

Why is U-Haul focused on sustainability in its new West Columbia project?

The adaptive reuse of the Kmart building reduces environmental impact and energy consumption associated with new constructions.

When did U-Haul acquire the property for the new storage facility in West Columbia?

U-Haul acquired the property on September 30.

How many jobs will U-Haul create with the new facility in West Columbia?

U-Haul plans to hire at least 12 local team members once the new store is operational.

What are the features of the new U-Haul storage facility in West Columbia?

The new facility will offer high-tech security features, affordable pricing, and extended access hours for customers.