Menards, a home-improvement chain with 285 stores in 14 states, has converted one of its empty stores to self-storage in Davenport, Iowa. Menards Self Storage at 110 W. 53rd St. encompasses 120,000 square feet of storage space. It features 450 climate-controlled indoor units, outdoor warehouse units and parking spaces.

“In listening to guests, we often heard questions about where to store items, especially larger ones, so it made sense to try this,” Jeff Abbott, a spokesperson for the company, told the source. “So far, we’re very pleased with the reaction by the public and want to get the word out that we have some very nice, yet affordable storage units."

Menards’ self-storage facilities in Eau Claire and Sheboygan were similar conversion projects. According to its website, the facility in Sheboygan has been sold. The Davenport location is also on the market, according to the source.

Menards began making plans in 2007 to vacate the building on 53^rd Street in favor of a larger property at 6600 Brady St. in Davenport. At the time, city council members voiced their concern about what would become of the empty building, which was built in 1990, according to the source. Some members suggested Menards sell the property, while others requested a “dark-store” agreement attached to the rezoning of the new site. A dark store is a shop or warehouse intended for the storage of goods and used only by staff. Menards’ zoning request was later approved, and the new retail store opened in April.

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