Here is a list of the services and amenities provided at every single Lock Up Self Storage:

• 24 hour security camera monitoring
• Electronic key access
• Motion sensitive lighting
• Climate controlled units
• Carpeting in all hallways and select storage units
• Carts and dollies provided  free of charge on site
• FREE move in truck with every new lease
• All locations accept deliveries during business hours so that you don’t have to wait around
• Storage supplies – everything from packing materials to specialty boxes for wardrobe or dishes (please note: merchandise may vary in locations, so please see store managers for details)

In addition to this roster of impressive services and amenities, a number of The Lock Up Self Storage facilities in Illinois, Florida and New Jersey also contain wine cellar storage units. These are specialty units that provide the perfect environment for the storage of fine wines. Our state-of-the-art wine storage units are designed to accommodate any size storage need, from small personal collections to the largest restaurant inventories. They are kept at a steady 55 degrees year round, maintain a humidity level between 60-70% and are constantly monitored so that your wine collection is never compromised. Click here for more information on our wine cellar units.

If you are looking for a self storage unit to store your personal or business items, look no further than your nearest Lock Up Self Storage facility. We will go the extra mile to give you peace of mind.

Go to www.thelockup.com to find the Lock Up Self Storage facility near you.

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Basements are notorious for being a catch all for plastic storage bins filled with holiday decorations, old papers or seasonal clothing. They’re usually stacked one on top of the other, taking up valuable space. But, you should consider your basement to be another room and treat it as such…even if it’s unfinished. What better place to set up an arts and crafts table than in a room that doesn’t have carpeting or nice hardwood floors? A basement is a diamond in the rough and can provide a place for kids to play, hang out and burn off all that extra pent up energy that’s usually spent playing outside. Here are some tips to clear your clutter and make an oasis for your kids this winter.

Admit it, most of the boxes in your basement are filled with things that you simply do not need on a day to day basis. So the very first thing you should do is gather up all of the items that you’ve stored in your basement and move them to your Lock Up Self Storage unit. Every new customer of The Lock Up is provided free access to a move in truck that makes this step a breeze.

Once you’ve cleared out the basement, you need to get it set up for your kids. A sturdy table can serve as an art station. Provide paper, paints, brushes, cups, pens, crayons, scissors, glue and stickers. If you have any furniture that you are thinking of getting rid of, move it downstairs. An old couch or some comfy chairs are great places for kids to sit and hang out with friends or play games on their computers. But, you want to make sure they’re not always sedentary, so have an area that’s still open. Since it’s a basement, if kids jump around, they won’t be bothering anyone below them. Place some rubber floor mats on the ground and encourage physical activity by providing hula hoops or speakers to hook up an MP3 player so they can dance to their little heart’s content.

Have any other ideas for a great winter oasis in the basement? Share them with us here!

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The Lock Up Self Storage facility on Ogden Avenue in Lisle, Illinois has served Lisle and Downer’s Grove’s self storage needs for twelve years. It’s centrally located and has easy access to a number of major arteries, making it a breeze to get to whether you’re coming from Lisle or Downer’s Grove. In fact, there are entrances and exits to Highways 355 and 88 just a stone’s throw from the facility which allows for ease of use when out and about.

While easy access is always a bonus, this Lock Up Self Storage also provides its customers with all of the top notch amenities that are expected from The Lock Up. Whether you store personal items or files for a business, security is a primary concern for those who entrust their goods with The Lock Up. This location provides peace of mind for the customers from Lisle and Downer’s Grove with 24-hour video surveillance, motion sensitive lighting and electronic coded access. With plenty of various sized units, including over 200 drive up units, this Lock Up Self Storage facility has just the right sized solution for you. In addition, customers can choose to store their goods in climate controlled units if they need added protection for their items. An indoor loading bay protects storage items from the harsh elements; yet another way that this Lock Up facility ensures that the residents of Lisle and Downer’s Grove are cared for. And as always, first time customers have free access to a move in truck to make things easier.

Lisle and Downer’s Grove self storage needs are the top priority for this location, so for a limited time, they are offering 50% off the first 3 months. Talk to the store manager for details on this special.

Call The Lock Up Self Storage in Lisle/Downer’s Grove at (630)968-7878.

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• Everyone wants to either achieve or maintain good health. But sometimes life gets in the way of taking time to get to and from the gym. Why not cut the commute and set up a workout space in your home? Rearrange your furniture to make room. You can store the easy chair from the corner of your living room with The Lock Up and replace it with an exercise bike. This way you can watch your favorite shows on TV guilt free while riding off the calories.
• Nothing hampers happiness more than clutter and piles of unattended to papers. And we all know that organization equals productivity. Don’t let clutter prevent you from being the best you can be. Take the time to go through all of the stacks and decide what goes in the garbage and what you need to keep. Once you’ve done this, box up all the stuff you need but obviously don’t have room for, and move it into a Lock Up Self Storage unit. Imagine how good it will feel to be organized, know all your important items have a safe home with the Lock Up, and be able to see your counters and floors again.
• Spending quality time with loved ones is a surefire way to ensure happiness. But it’s not often we gather together in meaningful ways. There’s usually a computer or TV on that diverts everyone’s attention away from each other. Being creative with your kids or friends is an ideal way to spend time together. Why not make room for a crafting/projects table in your basement or spare room? All you have to do is let The Lock Up store a few spare boxes and/or some furniture for you. Once you have an area big enough for a table, you’re good to go. Pull out your crafty goodies, a board game or a jigsaw puzzle, pull up some chairs, put on some tunes and enjoy some good, wholesome quality time with your friends and family.

Don’t forget that The Lock Up is having a limited time Rate Match special. Use it to help make your resolutions become reality!
The Lock Up wishes you and yours a healthy, happy and productive 2012!

To find The Lock Up Self Storage facility nearest you, go to: www.thelockup.com

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Ornaments
There are specially made containers for ornament storage. They are flat boxes, often with tray divider inserts that protect individual ornaments. The containers stack for easy storage. If you don’t have ornament storage trays, you can use plastic storage bins that are meant to go under beds. You want to cushion each ornament with tissue paper (don’t use newspaper – the ink could rub onto your ornaments) and pack them in snugly but not too tight.

Light Strands
You want to make sure to store strands of lights in an orderly manner so that they don’t break or get tangled. The worst thing you could do is just throw them into a box in a big jumble. Not only can that break bulbs, but it could also compromise the integrity of the electrical wire, creating a potential fire hazard. There are special spools available that will hold lights. If you can’t get access to one, you can always simply coil the strand evenly and twist tie it in a couple of spots. Be sure to store in a separate box of only lights so they don’t get crushed by heavier items.

Artificial Tree Storage
Now that you’ve removed and packed away your ornaments and lights, carefully compress all the little branches around each main branch of your tree. Pull the tree apart and place all parts (including the base) inside the bag it came with. If you do not have that bag anymore, a large duffle bag can be used. You want to prevent dust from gathering on the branches. A Lock Up storage unit is the ideal location to store your tree.

Holiday Collectibles
Quickly dust all of the decorations that sit on shelving or tables so they’ll be clean and ready for next year. For bigger, bulkier items like holiday villages, nativity scenes and train sets, try to use the original packaging to store them away. If those aren’t available, just be sure to use plenty of padding around breakable parts. Use large plastic bins to keep boxes of items in order.

Kitchenware/Linens
Wash all holiday themed linens such as table runners, table cloths, napkins and towels. Do not bother ironing or starching them as they’ll need to be ironed once you pull them out next year and starch can damage fabrics that are stored for long periods of time by providing food for insects.  Dedicate a box to holiday themed serving platters, cream and sugar containers, dishware and glassware. Use plenty of padding and pack items snugly but not too tightly. Place heavier items on the bottom of the box and more delicate items on top.

Once all of your holiday treasures are securely packed up, The Lock Up will be ready to take it all off your hands until you need it again.

For The Lock Up Self Storage facility nearest you, go to: http://www.thelockup.com/

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1. Furniture Storage
When launching a business from home, you will most likely find yourself wanting to create an office space. If you do not have enough space for your new office without getting rid of your existing furniture, don’t fret; and don’t get rid of it. Store the furniture with The Lock Up. Eventually your business will move into a new space and you’ll want to bring the guest bedroom back to your home. It’ll be waiting at your storage unit.

2. Product Inventory
If you are in the business of selling products, you will undoubtedly have to buy inventory in advance of sales. This means you need space to store your items until you are able to move them. No need to clutter up your office space…put the extra stock in a Lock Up self storage facility.

3. Signage/Displays
Whether you take part in tradeshows, special events, or trunk shows to sell your wares or services, you will probably find yourself laden with the necessary things to create a professional looking booth. Such items are often bulky and unwieldy (think shelving, mannequins, and signage for the walls). Placing items in storage that are only needed periodically is a great way to keep them in good shape while freeing up area in your workspace. This allows you to be more organized which, in turn, equals more productivity. Win, win!

4. Promotional Materials
Most businesses need to promote their goods and/or services. Promotional materials are a great way to get your branding into your customer’s hands so they’ll remember you. Items like t-shirts, mugs, pens, and business cards are often sold in bulk, so you’ll need somewhere to store the extras until you need them.

5. Paperwork/Client Files
As your business grows, you’ll find that the amount of space needed for the paperwork that accumulates will grow, sometimes exponentially. The Lock Up provides a safe and secure location to keep those files out of the way, yet accessible when needed.

If you are starting a new business from home, let The Lock Up be a partner in your success! Go to www.thelockup.com to find the facility nearest you.

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Don’t miss out on this deal, it won’t be around for long!

*This special is not available in Hawaii. New tenants only. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

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Storage Do’s
Furniture – Sometimes we find ourselves with extra furniture that we cannot part ways with. Whether it’s because you’ve inherited some new furniture or you just want to change things up a bit, a good solution for too much furniture is to place it in storage. Storing away lamps, chairs and tables is a great way to make sure you have those on hand when you need them, while keeping them out of the way when you don’t.

Paperwork – Receipts, documents and tax information need to be kept for years in some cases. Boxes of paperwork can take up lots of space and when space is at a premium, it’s best to put these items somewhere safe and out of the way.

Seasonal Items – Every year the seasons change and with them come changes in what we need and/or want to use. Sports and recreational items are often different for summer and winter. So are clothing items. Putting seasonal items in storage is a great way to have room for everything.

Storage Don’ts
Hazardous Materials – Any flammable or noxious liquids or solids should never be placed in self storage. Not only could they potentially harm you or anyone in your unit, they also could cause serious damage to your items as well as the self storage facility itself.

Perishable Items – Food left in your storage unit will attract pests and eventually rot, leaving you with a real mess to clean. Best to avoid putting food in your storage unit (unless, of course it’s all canned goods).

Live Animals – No matter what your pet situation is, locking an animal inside a self storage unit is unacceptable and downright cruel. Self storage units are not meant to be places to keep living creatures. If you have a pet and cannot care for it, do the responsible thing and bring it to a shelter or vet’s office.

If you’re ready to clear some clutter from your home, go to www.thelockup.com to find the right storage solution for you.

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Using a Lock Up Self Storage unit to store china, glassware and silverware that only gets used for special occasions is a great solution. Not only is it an easy way to make room in an already space compromised kitchen, but it’s also a safe location, far away from curious (and quite possibly, clumsy) young hands that might like to explore cabinets for fun. But don’t just throw your grandma’s fine China into any old box. Be sure to protect your serving gear for years to come with these quick tips:

• Dishware
  Use quilted dishware packs for your china. If your set didn’t come with these, they’re easy enough to find online and a good investment. They are great because they are padded and fitted to the dimensions of standard dishware. There are cardboard box versions as well that are more affordable.  With either method, just be sure to individually wrap each dish in acid free tissue paper (available at most art supply stores) to avoid scratches and to help prevent discoloration; then place padding between each plate to keep them from chipping. Hint: a paper plate or large coffee filter works in a pinch.
• Specialty items with lids
  Items such as teapots, sugar bowls and tureens all have lids that should be wrapped separately and stored back in the item upside down so that the top hangs inside the vessel.
• Glassware
  Use glassware protection packs. These cardboard boxes have sections for glassware that keep them protected. For long stemmed glasses such as wine glasses, wrap with bubble wrap, but be careful to not wrap too tightly. Pack glasses snug enough so there’s no shifting or tilting but, again, not too tightly.
• Silverware
  Polish your silverware before storing it. That way you won’t have to do much polishing (if any) the next time you have a fancy meal. You want to avoid tarnish and scratches on your silverware when storing. If you don’t have a felt lined box specific to your flatware, then roll your pieces up one by one in a sheet of acid free paper, making sure the pieces don’t have contact. Then place the rolls inside of a soft cotton or felt bag.
• Linens
  Wash all table linens and napkins. Simply fold them and store. Don’t bother starching them before putting them away as the starch can cause yellowing and also provides a tasty meal for moths. When you pull your linens out the next time, then you can iron and starch them.

To save time in the future, be sure to clearly label each box you place your Lock Up storage unit; otherwise you’ll need to unwrap items in each box to figure out what’s inside.

We at The Lock Up hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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The Lock Up Self Storage located on Old Willow road sits right between Northbrook and Glenview, IL. It has served the storage needs of those town’s residents as well as the surrounding businesses for over thirty five years. And that’s no surprise. With ten buildings on the property and attentive on site staff members, the Northbrook/Glenview location has all the ingredients necessary for a great self storage experience.

This facility has primarily ground level units that open to the outside. This type of unit is great because you can drive right up to the doorway of your unit and load directly into or out of your vehicle. There’s no need to haul your items far distances. And if what you’re storing is a vehicle, then you simply pull right in…it doesn’t get any easier than that. If what you need is a climate controlled unit for more delicate items, don’t worry, there’s a building for that too. One truly unique aspect of this Lock Up facility is the fact that they have parking spaces available for rent. This is particularly handy if you’ve got an extra car on hand while your child is away at college. Local businesses benefit from this option as well; for example, the local restaurant Sweet Tomato uses The Lock Up’s parking spaces for their catering trucks.

As with all Lock Up Self Storage facilities, you can depend on the Northbrook/Glenview location for a safe and secure place to store your office, personal or business needs. Amenities such as security camera monitoring, motion sensor lights, electronic coded access and cylinder locks ensure that your goods are protected day and night. And with convenient hours of operation, you can access your stored goods anytime between 6am and 9pm.

Now you can get the 2^nd and 7^th months FREE with any new rental. Either stop in or call The Lock Up Northbrook/Glenview to get a self storage unit for all your storage needs. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to ask for Sam Rodriguez, the property manager. He’s always happy to help.

For more information, visit www.thelockup.com or call 847-724-3222 (press #1 for availability & pricing, or #2 to reach the facility directly)

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