Steve Hajewski, marketing manager for Trachte Building Systems, a manufacturer and supplier of self-storage buildings, is learning first-hand what its like to be a self-storage owner. The industry veteran plans to open Columbus Self Storage this spring in Columbus, Wis. The facility will open for business with 14,000 square feet of rentable space comprised in 81 units. Subsequent phases will add another 76 units.

The 2.3-acre property at the corner of Transit Road and Highway 60 is part of a new development that will feature a Shopko retail outlet, grocery store and fitness center, Hajewski said. The self-storage facility will be fully paved and landscaped. I have lived here since 2007 and look forward to building a facility that my family can be proud of for decades to come, he said.

Based in nearby Sun Prairie, Wis., Trachte designs, manufactures and erects a full line of pre-engineered and customized steel self-storage systems. Hajewski has worked at the builder for eight years and said his foray into facility ownership has provided a new perspective and even helped refine the investment calculators the company offers on its website.

Going through this has been a great education on the details of what our customers go through, Hajewski said. Since 2005, Ive been working at Trachte watching our clients succeed in this business. My wife and I saw the need in our own community and decided to take the plunge.

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