Stache Inc., a peer-to-peer self-storage marketplace, has expanded service to Atlanta as well as the North Carolina communities of Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Durham and Raleigh. Similar to other shared-economy networks, the company provides an online platform where people in need of storage can find local hosts willing to rent available space. Though it has a presence in 38 states, its primary concentration is in the Southeast, according to a press release.

Those with available space can list it at stache.com. Rental spaces can include attics, basements, closets, garages, spare rooms or other areas. Those in need of storage can search by location and size. They can also filter by options such as 24-hour access and climate-controlled environment. They can then book with a host and pay online. Stache also offers a “stress-free” consulting and moving service that pairs a renter with a host based on storage needs and will even coordinate the transfer of belongings. The cost to pick up, deliver or unload goods is $1 per minute, according to the company website.

“Storage is a $40 billion per year industry. Stache’s main goal is to keep that money in the community. Unlike the major national storage brands, we are focused on local people and relationships,” said CEO Mike Anderson, who co-founded the company with Ian Anderson. “People often are very uncomfortable about the idea of walking down dimly lit rows of public storage units. We remove that concern. With our peer-to-peer storage platform, people can find a safer and more affordable way to store their important things; and homeowners can make additional income off of their unused space and property.”

Launched in 2017, Stache began as a platform to help college students store their belongings in the non-school months. “All of our profits that year were given back to the sororities who helped us market our platform by making a donation to their favorite charity, the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” Mike Anderson said.

Stache has continued to operate with a philanthropic model, pledging to donate 10 percent of revenue to nonprofit organizations selected by users. Nonprofit partners have included Dreams and Wishes of Tennessee, RaiseRED, Service to School and the Special Olympics, the release stated.

Sources:
Yahoo Finance, Personal Peer-to-Peer Self-Storage Company Expands to Southeast Cities to Help People Make Money on Available Space While Giving Back to Community
Stache, Website