With small dwellings becoming the norm in our city, thank goodness for spaces like Maple Leaf Storage. The East Village location has been in the ‘hood for eight years now, with 1400 storage containers holding everything from personal items to business supplies. “We find that a lot of our tenants are in a 2km radius from us,” Maple Leaf’s marketing manager Darren explains to us. “We have businesses who store here as well.” Location manager Sherry lives on site at Maple Leaf Storage, which may come to a surprise to some. To keep the property and units secure, all Maple Leaf Storage locations (with exception to just one) all have an on-site manager. Working and living in the area has allowed Sherry to develop invaluable relationships with local business owners and tenants alike. “I love the people and the community and the fact it is being built up,” Sherry says. “I also love all the artists, especially from the ARC building across the street,” says Sherry. “They are an amazing group of people.” The two are working together to beautify a space in the back of Maple Leaf’s lot, constructing various bird houses to sit along the fence for the birds. “Hopefully in the future will also add a small community garden.” When we ask Sherry and Darren what it is they enjoy most about their work, Darren says it’s all about developing solid relationships with clients. “I love helping people and doing whatever I can,” Sherry adds. “It’s a family here – we are based on that and it’s how we treat our customers.” 
“The area is definitely changed in the last few years and is really going in the right direction,” Darren says. “I enjoy how we have had tenants for years, some people have stored here for ten years.” The team at Maple Leaf Storage have forged community partner relationships with local non-for-profits charities, and the staff regularly volunteer for The Starlight Children’s Foundation, Kits House, and Urban Native Youth. They’ll also be participating in the upcoming Sunrise Summer Kick-Off Coupon Book, which will be handed out at our SSK event on July 11th. For more info about Maple Leaf Storage, check out their website, and get social on Twitter.