Unfamiliar with Yelp?  Yelp, Inc. is a Web 2.0 company that operates a social networking, user review, and local search web site of the same name, combining features from traditional Internet yellow pages sites such as Yellowpages.com, local city guide sites such as Citysearch, and community-oriented social media sites like Facebook and Myspace. Over 10.6 million people access the Yelp web site each month, putting it in the top 100 of U.S. Internet web sites.  Look for reviews for SMARTBOX Portable Self Storage and other local companies at yelp.com.  Even better, express your opinions and feelings regarding your experience with SMARTBOX and their staff.  Simply surf your way over to yelp.com and enter the word SMARTBOX and your city and zip code, or browse for us under “home services” or “local services.”  SMARTBOX Portable Self Storage is categorized as both Movers and Self Storage under these headings.

It’s been coming up more and more lately - people asking where we provide sevice.  This map shows where we currently have SMARTBOX franchise locations (those are the red squares) and also shows where we can provide long distance service as well (the yellow-ish circles).  We can provide long distance to all the marks you see on the map via SMARTCARE - the long distance moving division of SMARTBOX.

 So whether your needs are strictly moving, strictly storage or a mix of both - SMARTBOX has a solution and likely has a location near you.  Even better, if we don’t have a location by you today, we may tomorrow!  We’re growing all the time!!  Maybe you know someone that wants to own their own SMARTBOX Franchise??!

So think about SMARTBOX for your local and long distance moving needs and give us a call - 1-87-SMARTBOX!

SMARTBOX of New England was proud to be of assistance to the victims of a tornado that ripped through central New Hampshire last week.  On July 24th, severe storms, including a tornado, ravaged neighborhoods in the Epsom area along the New Hampshire and Maine border.  The storms destroyed several homes, damaged dozens of others and left at least one person dead.  SMARTBOX was quick to arrive at the scene, providing portable self storage to victims as they began to salvage the remnants of their homes and personal belongings.  The storm also reached into southern Maine producing up to 2 or 3 inches of rain in some areas, large hail and damaging winds in excess of  70 mph. Flood and tornado watches were in effect in most of Maine.  The event is not SMARTBOX’s first encounter with the deadly storms, as tornado activity has been high this season along the east coast.  SMARTBOX is an active first responder in natural disasters of this magnitude, working both with the American Red Cross and with the victims directly.

SMARTBOX of New England is the premier provider of mobile self storage and portable moving devices in the New England area.  Operating out of northern Massachusetts, SMARTBOX of New England proudly services the needs of New Hampshire, Southern Maine and the metropolitan Boston area.

SMARTBOX Chicago recently joined NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) - the Chicago Chapter.  On the NAPO web site, I came upon a few interesting statistics that I thought I would share. 

The statistics are below and are mostly for entertainment purposes.  But, there is validity to a lot of the statistics out there.  A partnership between NAPO and SMARTBOX is like the perfect marriage.  A NAPO member can help you organize your clutter, your office, your closet, etc.  SMARTBOX can help you maintain the items that are either near and dear to you; something you love but don’t have a good spot for or simply don’t have the space for. 

Another use of SMARTBOX in conjunction with a NAPO Organizer can be as simple as getting all of your “clutter” out of your place and into ours, via a SmartBox.  Then, the Organizer can help you get your place in better organized condition, get a system in place to stay better organized, etc.  The stuff in the SmartBox then can be sifted through in a more timely, less rushed fashion.  NAPO and SMARTBOX - a great combination to work with!

Scroll down below the screen shot for the “statistics” I pulled out…….

These are statistics I found on the NAPO web site, feel free to view the PDF for more detail.

• According to a New York Times Article published March 2001
  • IKEA did a survey of customers in which 31% reported they were more satisfied after clearing out their closests than they were after sex.
• An unnamed source stated that
  • More than one out of four Americans remarked that they would like to be better organized.
• The April 23, 2004 issue of The Chicago Tribune (via The RedEye) stated the following statistics
  • 81 % of participants plan to spring clean this year
  • 74% of participants spring clean because they are tired of clutter
  • 39% of participants plan to organize their closet first
  • 62.8% plan to get rid of their outdated wardrobe next
  • 58% of participants said photos of their children are the one thing that they would never get rid of

As the demand for portable storage increases, the need for zoning and safety regulations increases as well.  Many municipalities and neighborhood associations are stepping up their efforts to impose restrictions and processes that regulate where and how long mobile storage units can remain in public sight.  While the majority of SMARTBOX’s service areas are not affected by such laws and regulations, those in close proximity or directly located in large urban areas are likely to be subject to these restrictions.  While every location is different, many require building or construction permits that be posted on the SMARTBOX portable storage unit while being used on site.  Other areas also call for temporary no parking signs to be posted notifying neighbors that the area is reserved for a temporary amount of time.  While these precautionary measures usually come at little or no cost, they should be thought about prior to making your reservation.  Contact a SMARTBOX representative or your local SMARTBOX office for the most current details regarding permits in your area.  If we are unable to acquire the permits on your behalf, we will happily guide you through the correct measures.

SMARTBOX of San Antonio was proud to sponsor the 2008 American Diabetes Association’s Tour De Cure.  The American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure is a one and/or two day bicycle race from San Antonio to Austin via San Marcos, Texas.  This year’s race, put on by the South and Central Tour de Cure division, raised over $500,000 with over 1300 participating cyclists.

This is the second year that SMARTBOX of San Antonio has participated in the Tour de Cure.  In the past, SMARTBOX has provided storage and transportation for water and other goods needed during the race.  Smartboxes have also been stacked two high to serve as anchors for the balloon start and finish lines in San Antonio, San Marcos and Austin.

“We have really enjoyed our partnership with the American Diabetes Association.  As a family owned and operated, San Antonio business it is important for us to give back to the community and donation our Smartboxes for the Tour de Cure has given us an ideal opportunity to do that,” said Jim Plumhoff, president and co-owner of SMARTBOX San Antonio.