Stella’s Storage recently became an authorized U-Haul dealership, serving Hudson Falls and Washington County.
Owner Michael LaRose and Operations Manager Melissa Hayes said they are excited about adding the service to their fast-growing storage business.
Located at 58 Main St. in Hudson Falls, Stella’s Storage offers U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, support rental items, boxes and in-store pick-up for boxes. They also sell moving supplies.
LaRose purchased, renovated and re-opened Stella’s Storage in 2014, after it had been abandoned and standing idle for several years.
“The units needed a lot of repairs and upgrading,” said Hayes.
She said there was also an abandoned apartment building that was in very bad shape and an eyesore to the community. As part of their renovations, that building was demolished.
“I feel that we benefited the community by renovating and re-opening the storage facility, as well as getting rid of the apartment building,” said Hayes. “We are able to offer them a much-needed service. Also, it improves the appearance of the community,.”
Because of U-Haul’s policy of benefiting the environment through sustainability initiatives, Stella’s participates in the truck-sharing program. This program allows them access to a fleet of trucks that is much larger than what they would be able to keep on their existing property.
According to Hayes, “If a person walks into the dealership looking for a particular size truck that we don’t happen to have on the lot at that time, we can usually get it for the customer within 24 hours.”
Currently, they have several trucks on the property and business is brisk.
“Naturally, our busiest times are at the beginning and end of each month, as people’s leases come up or expire,” said Hayes. “But, we are also seeing a lot of business during the month as well.”
Hours of operation for U-Haul rentals are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon on Sundays. After-hours truck drop-off is available for customer convenience.
The business can be reached at 636-4287.