The winter holidays, though a time for visiting with loved ones and observing traditions, still represent a hectic time for self-storage operators, who are generally busy at the end of each month. This is when operators collect rent, make delinquency calls and send notices; and yet in December, employees want time off to spend with friends and family.

In the days between Christmas and New Year's, a hot discussion titled "Who's Open Tomorrow? has broken out on Self-Storage Talk, the industrys largest online community, about vacation time, operating hours, and whats best for the business. Originated on Dec. 23, the thread has gained steam since the initial post.

Some self-storage facilities shut their doors for Christmas Eve, while others worked part days or full business hours. Nearly all facilities were closed on Christmas and the day after. New Years Eve and Day may be handled in much the same way.

It's logical that tenants may want access to their units shortly after Christmas. There are giftsor old items that were replaced by giftsthat need storing. Tenants also may want to put away their decorations. For this reason, facilities might find it advantageous and necessary to be open.

On the other hand, it seems many posters are reporting "boring" surroundings at their facilities this week. A East Cost blizzard has kept fewer people from driving in many locales between Atlanta and Boston, and that has led to "dead" storage sites. It's realities like this that make owners and regional managers consider cutting hours during this week to save money or to give employees time off.

What's your opinion on your holiday hours? Are you satisfied? Do you think you should be open more or less? Visit the thread to share your opinion. You must be a registered member to post, but if you're not yet registered yet, you can do so for free. It's easy and takes only a few minutes.

Live and growing since 2008, Self-Storage Talk is the largest online forum in the industry and the official forum of Inside Self-Storage. SST has approximately 3,850 members, 23 different topical forums, 3,800 discussion threads and 32,800 posts.