By MOLLIE BROWN / Community Columnist

Scott Suell and Chuck Norris saw a need for personal storage in Calera and opened Airport Mini-Storage, located on Smokey Road across from Savannah Point, on Aug. 30, 2002.

Anne Dyer, who has managed the office for five years, said the 372 units, with 24-hour access, vary in size.

“We have anywhere from a 5’x5’ to a 10’x30’. We have drive-up spaces, inside non-climate and climate control air-conditioned and ventilated spaces. Thanks to our loyal customers, we’re at 70-percent occupancy. We also have three approximately 300 square-foot office spaces available.”

Airport Mini-Storage also offers boat and RV storage, U-Haul rentals and sells products needed for storage and moving. Though there are security cameras and Digi Gate records who is on the premises at any given time, Dyer recommends tenants purchase a disc lock or padlock for their unit.

Rose Johnson has been employed since January 2006. She works weekends, handling most of the U-haul business and fills in for Dyer when needed. “I love my job,” Johnson said. “I wouldn’t be here as long as I have if I didn’t enjoy working here.”

Contents of abandoned units are auctioned to recover unpaid rent. “By law, we publish the notice for two weeks in the legal section of the Shelby County Reporter and I try to give a month’s notice of the auction,” Dyer said. “The unit is opened and you have 10 minutes to view the contents before it’s auctioned off. You never know what you’re going to find. One couple who paid $75 for a unit opened a dresser drawer and inside was a cedar box containing silver dollars. I was later told they made $1,500 on the coins.”

In addition to the mini-storage business, Suell owns Hill’s Carpet in Bessemer and Norris owns Norris Paving in north Birmingham.

Airport Mini-Storage is open for business seven days a week to show/rent units and U-Hauls. Business hours are M-F, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For storage and U-Haul rental rates, call toll free, 866-621-6464, or locally 621-8051.

 

Mollie Brown can be reached at dmjhb1@bellsouth.net.