Guys,
I am working on a story on automotive storage facilities. I am talking car barn type places that offer some social aspects and services like detailing and repair. I am not talking about keeping cars in your mom's basement or your friend's two car garage.
Do you know of any places like this? Do you use, or have you used, such a place? Care to comment on the experience?
Thanks,
Tim Suddard
Sounds like you want to talk to Matt Farah. Let me know if you need an introduction.
I've used winter storage, but that's not what you're looking for. There's no social aspect, just long-term parking :)
I think there are two near me. The Shop in downtown Seattle; which also does events, automotive work and has a small bar/cafe onsite. Then one that I think Hagerty just picked up in Redmond. Garage and Social. I have only been to The Shop which was definite eye candy because almost all the storage is visible from the bar.
Hagerty Garage down here in South Florida.
There are a number of them in my area (SF Bay Area). Most are individually owned spaces in a community setting. Big bucks. I recently saw one in Holliston, MA near my daughters house.
Personally, I have a 1500 sf space in a commercial condo complex that I use as my personal space/man cave. There is one other guy in my complex that does the same but most are small business's.
What I'd like to know is how these guys get insurance. I've been searching for almost 10 years for a non-business policy. They flat out do not exist for a commercial building. So I've had to say I'm a business when I'm not.
M1 Concourse in Pontiac. http://M1concourse.com
Storage Condos of Michigan http://Gearheadhomes.com/garage-condos/
and a new track/condo in planning in Howell, MI Motorsports Gateway
Http://motorsportsgateway.com
I also know of a private one in Ypsilanti, MI that is invite only.
Let me know if you need intros to any of the principals involved!
EDIT just remembered another one being built in Tampa by the guy that started M1 - the Motor Enclave
there was a place in Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor MI known as the "Points and Condensor Preservation Society", but this dates back 20 years or more. perhaps alfadriver knows if it still exists.
Most military bases have auto hobby shops on them. There is limited social interactions there as you rent a bay by the hour, but still some. The same people are in there all the time tinkering and doing something and they're all car guys to some extent so you get to bullE36 M3ting with whoever you're standing next to.
Not sure what direction the story is going to take, but it might be worth mentioning.
Edit: after looking at the above examples, I realize that all of the above is not helpful. Please ignore me.
In reply to Mr_Asa :
Most hobby shops, if not all, are closed. And have been for a few years now.
Any places in DMV that yall know of that is for PO projects?
In reply to yupididit :
Not really surprising, but still kinda sad. They rarely worked for my schedule (24hr shop) so I just did my work in the parking lot and hoped SF wouldn't roll through and give me E36 M3.
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