New Orleans Portable Storage, a Harahan, La.-based franchise of the national company Smartbox, has gone under, but the company’s customers have yet to be notified. Some are finding out it may be difficult to reclaim their belongings.

On Jan. 13, the company filed for bankruptcy protection in Charlotte, N.C. On the 14th, local Eyewitness News found the warehouse locked and unattended, with hundreds of storage crates in the parking lot, only some marked with customers’ names. According to a story by WWLTV, most were unlocked and empty.

Eyewitness News was unable to reach company owner Charlie Fonville for comment, but eyewitnesses contacted president and CEO Mike Lowe via phone. He said containers containing any customer goods should be locked inside the warehouse, while outside containers should be empty. But getting inside the warehouse won't be possible, he explained, until the bankruptcy issue can be further settled.

The Harahan franchise is independently owned and operated, but Lowe said his company is working to quickly find a new owner. Smartbox is working with a court-appointed lawyer in the bankruptcy case to get customers their valuables.  It remains unclear how long such a process will take. 

Source: WWLTV.com, Storage company's bankruptcy leaves some without belongings