<body><div>Storage Star Self-Storage is going through a magnificent transformation, building a national platform one carefully underwritten transaction at a time. In the second quarter, this vertically integrated investment company acquired 61 properties. The purchase included a 59-facility portfolio spreading from the Midwest to the East Coast, plus an additional location in Chicago and another in Anchorage, Alaska. It boosted the company’s total number of facilities to 123 across 21 states, proving that Storage Star can source, underwrite and close complex, multi-market transactions at scale.With a mission to serve tenants with excellence and integrity along with a company culture that welcomes diversity among staff and customers alike, the operator plans to upgrade its newly acquired facilities with a significant capital plan, according to cofounder and CEO Matt Garibaldi. “We are a fully integrated operation that does everything from construction to accounting, operations, acquisitions and development,” he explains.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2rB4lx_1FCFnwDH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2rB4lx_1FCFnwDH00" width="356" height="388" ></figure>Storage Star Cofounder and CEO Matt GaribaldiThis business structure gives Storage Star the in-house talent necessary to move quickly and confidently, so it can identify, close, operate and elevate new properties. Planned improvements include upgrades to roofs, drives, doors and offices. The company also intends to convert parking areas to additional units, transform traditional to climate-controlled space, and reposition assets.“We intend to rebrand and improve each asset in a way that we ultimately believe will improve the onsite experience and generate value for our customers, front-line employees and investors,” Garibaldi says.<h2>Raised in Real Estate</h2>Garibaldi knew he wanted to be in real estate long before he invested in the self-storage industry. Raised in a family of entrepreneurs, he bolstered his knowledge while working summer jobs as a carpenter’s assistant at development sites.After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2006 with a degree in economics, Garibaldi went into private-capital investing, where he cofounded and later sold a manufactured-housing business alongside Storage Star cofounder Matt Follett. The two of them launched their storage business in 2016 using internal funding, though the principals’ roots in self-storage investing stretch back to the mid-90s, putting decades of market knowledge behind every deal evaluated.In the beginning, Storage Star kept the name and brand of the facilities it purchased. Two years in, there was a pivot. “We decided to brand all of the historic and future properties as Storage Star beginning in 2018 and, at that time, we developed the branding customers see at our stores today,” Garibaldi says.<h2>Assertive Yet Smart Expansion</h2>Storage Star likes the growth and density of the East Coast markets, where the company recently acquired 50 properties from Maine to Florida. Garibaldi appreciates the value and efficiency of clustering operations in this way.“Purchasing one property at a time into a new segment of the country is challenging and inefficient. This portfolio provided the opportunity for us to enter the East Coast in a large way and allowed us to enter several markets and build an operational infrastructure along the East Coast, giving the company coast-to-coast coverage.”The company’s acquisition decisions chase growth, of course; but there’s a very pointed strategy. Storage Star looks to invest in markets with density and some barriers to entry. “We invest in great properties that meet our quality standard or that we can improve to meet our quality standard. This underwriting philosophy is grounded in fairness and long-term value creation for sellers, investors and the communities Storage Star serves,” Garibaldi explains.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=307xbw_1FCFnwDH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=307xbw_1FCFnwDH00" width="500" height="333" ></figure>Storage Star in Rio Vista, California<h2>A Welcoming Culture</h2>The execution of a transaction of this size and complexity is a testament to the talent across Storage Star’s team, which comprises 190 employees. In fact, the company couldn’t grow so rapidly without the right people, Garibaldi notes. He and Follett believe that to have a great operation, they need talented team with a diverse set of experiences, backgrounds and cultures.This is why the company adheres to the STAR approach:Service. “Storage Star is a customer-centric organization, and we are nothing without our customers,” Garibaldi says. “As a result, we go to great lengths to serve our customers and exceed their expectations.”For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a tenant fell behind on rent payments, and management allowed them to make partial payments until they caught up. When the customer received a government stimulus check, they paid the company’s leniency forward by covering the late rents for other tenants at the property. This moment, like many, captures the spirit of Storage Star’s service-centric culture.Teamwork. At Storage Star, the executive team and site staff operate as part of a collective effort that’s bigger than any one individual, Garibaldi emphasizes. They all together to solve problems and support each other while living according to their values.Accountability. Garibaldi and his team hold themselves to a high standard and have high expectations for individual and collective performance, he says.Respect. Storage Star treats customers and employees with respect, regardless of their backgrounds or differences.The company’s commitment extends to how it invests in its own people. Storage Star offers a generous benefits package and some of the highest wages in the industry. “We believe that if we treat the customer right, if we invest in our employees and create a positive work environment and culture, that success will follow,” Garibaldi says.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1rv5su_1FCFnwDH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1rv5su_1FCFnwDH00" width="500" height="375" ></figure>The Storage Star team<h2>What’s Next? More Growth!</h2>Over the next five years, Storage Star plans to deploy significant capital to elevate the standard of every acquired self-storage property to a high-quality customer experience. Acquisitions will likely slow for the remainder of 2026, as the team focuses on integration, elevation and operating its expanded portfolio, Garibaldi notes. That said, the company is developing two projects in the San Francisco Bay Area—one ground-up and the other a conversion, which is allowing the business to proceed in an area with restrictive zoning laws.When it comes to industry challenges, Garibaldi and his leadership team are keenly aware of potential obstacles, but they keep their eyes on the ball. “The focus is on how we support our people and how we best serve our customers, so we can create an outcome that is positive for everyone Storage Star touches,” he says. “Whether that's a customer, a vendor, an employee or an investor, we want to create a positive environment. I think that's what breeds ultimate success.”Deb Hipp is a freelance business-to-business and content-marketing writer based in Kansas City, Missouri. Her work has appeared in “Forbes Advisor,” “The Hartford Extra Mile,” “The Sparefoot Blog,” “The Storage Facilitator” and other publications. She covers a variety of topics including business, health and wellness, personal finance, and self-storage. To reach her, email debhipp24@gmail.com.</div></body>

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Storage Star Self-Storage is going through a magnificent transformation, building a national platform one carefully underwritten transaction at a time. In the second quarter, this vertically integrated investment company acquired 61 properties. The purchase included a 59-facility portfolio spreading from the Midwest to the East Coast, plus an additional location in Chicago and another in Anchorage, Alaska. It boosted the company’s total number of facilities to 123 across 21 states, proving that Storage Star can source, underwrite and close complex, multi-market transactions at scale.

Self-Storage Operator Showcase: Storage Star’s Formula for Smart, Assertive Growth

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Storage Star Self-Storage is going through a magnificent transformation, building a national platform one carefully underwritten transaction at a time. In 

Self-Storage Operator Showcase: Storage Star’s Formula for Smart, Assertive Growth

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