Self-storage facility planned on South Ave.

One of the owners has been looking to open a storage facility for decades.

BOARDMAN — A self-storage facility is expected to open in the former Sam’s Club store at 7469 South Ave. in October.

SDDS Investors recently bought the store and 10-acre property from a Cleveland company for $2.8 million.

SDDS is led by Joseph Sylvester Construction Co. of Boardman, which is the developer of Southwestern Place off Western Reserve Road. Other investors also are part of the group.

Joseph Sylvester Jr. said Boardman needs more self-storage units, not large retail stores.

“We already have all the big-box stores,” he said.

He said the storage facilities within five miles of the South Avenue location are between 85 percent and 95 percent full.

Sylvester said his father, who founded the construction company 51 years ago, has been thinking of opening a self-storage facility for decades.

Details

Shepherd Self-Storage of Boardman was chosen as the name because of the image of a German shepherd being a protector.

About one-third of the 108,000-square-foot building will be divided into 250 smaller units of varying sizes.

The rest of the building will be used for storage for boats, cars and recreational vehicles. There also will be drive-up units that are equipped with garage doors.

The owners also can offer general warehousing space because the building has five loading docks.

Sylvester said various events will be planned for the parking lot because parking won’t be needed. A car show will be held during the grand-opening celebration and other community events will be held later.

Sam’s Club moved to another South Avenue location four years ago.