Sure and secure

Longtime Moses Lake residents open self storage company

MOSES LAKE - Looking outside the window of their business, Mitch and Marilyn Molitor can see the city's new ice rink under construction.

Next to that, they can see a new BMX track.

It makes the Molitors, married for 13 years, thankful their 255 mini-storage and 30 outside storage units sit right next door, and that their new business shares space with Desert Sun Cycle and Sport.

"It's really fun to see the area growing symbiotically as well as just exploding," Marilyn said.

"This end of town really seems to be stepping up," Mitch echoed. "We just seem to be one of the earlier ones to get going, but everything seems to be coming right behind it. Which is fun."

The Molitors opened All-Safe Self Storage at 600 Yakima Ave., at the end of July after hearing of a need through their other business, a recreational vehicle park.

Customers include people moving in and out of their residences, and some businesses storing their records, Mitch said, adding that people are appreciative of the fact the business offers its moving truck for free.

In putting their plan together, he said, they drove around to similar businesses in the state, asking what was driving the industry and what the industry is pushing toward.

"Security's a big deal, cleanliness and security," he answered. That's why the Molitors ensured their units are lined with metal interior walls and each door is alarmed individually. "You hit your code on the gate and it disarms the alarm in your unit only. So it's set up differently."

The business shares space with Desert Sun, although both businesses are separate, RV park managers work with the storage company's security, and Desert Sun owners Bill Rutherford and his wife, Sunshine.

"We had ground available and we saw a need in the community," Mitch said.

"We just thought this is an area that could use a step above what's existing," Marilyn agreed.

For the future, Mitch said, he hopes to be able to keep up with the demand the city dictates.

"It's a great business," he enthused. "It's a fun business because we have the RV park, and we have the storage units - they mesh really well together and we just have found really pleasant people."