We love sharing what makes Modern Storage® different, but it's especially exciting when someone outside our company takes notice. AY Magazine recently featured Modern Storage® in its article, "Much More in Store: Modern Storage® Raises the Standard for Self-Storage." The feature takes a closer look at where Modern Storage® started, how we've grown, the experience we're working to create for our customers and where we're headed next.
AY Magazine Shines a Spotlight on Modern Storage®
We're proud to have Modern Storage® featured in AY Magazine's September 2026 article, “Much More in Store: Modern Storage® Raises the Standard for Self-Storage.” The feature takes a closer look at where we started, how we've grown, what makes the Modern Storage® experience different and where we're headed next.
It's always exciting to share what we're building, but it's especially meaningful when an outside publication takes notice. The AY Magazine feature highlights something that has been central to Modern Storage® from the beginning: we believe customers should be able to expect more from self-storage.
"We were not simply trying to add more storage units. We wanted to raise the standard for what self-storage could be."
Our Story Started in Arkansas in 2017
Modern Storage® opened its first self-storage facility in 2017, but our roots in real estate began before that. Our experience in commercial and multifamily real estate development gave us an opportunity to look at self-storage through a different lens.
We saw an industry with an essential product and an opportunity to improve the experience surrounding it. We wanted to combine the fundamentals of great real estate — thoughtful development, attractive design, professional operations and attention to detail — with the convenience and service today's storage customers expect.
That became the foundation for Modern Storage®. Nearly a decade later, the same idea continues to guide how we develop facilities, serve customers, use technology and grow our company.
Rethinking What a Self-Storage Facility Can Be
Self-storage has traditionally been viewed as a simple real estate product: provide secure space and a door, and the job is done. We believe the experience can go much further.
Modern Storage® facilities are designed to feel professional, welcoming and thoughtfully maintained. AY Magazine highlighted features such as our architecture, marble finishes, professionally designed landscaping and customer-friendly spaces. Some customers have even compared our lobbies to hotel lobbies — a comparison that captures the type of environment we want to create.
Depending on the location, Modern Storage® customers may also have access to business centers, conference rooms, complimentary coffee, package acceptance, moving trucks, loading docks, freight-friendly access and other convenient features.
Storage Is About More Than Extra Space
One of the most important things we've learned is that customers rarely need storage in isolation. There is usually a bigger story behind the need for additional space.
Someone may be moving into a new home, renovating, downsizing, welcoming a new family member, relocating for work, attending college or helping a loved one through a transition. Businesses may need additional room for inventory, equipment, supplies, records or deliveries.
At Modern Storage®, we see storage as an extension of the home or business. It can provide valuable flexibility during moves, renovations, seasonal changes, business growth and other moments when someone's space needs change.
When customers already have a lot happening, storage shouldn't add another complication. Our job is to make that part of the process as straightforward and dependable as possible.
Creating a Simple, Clear and Dependable Customer Experience
A great storage experience starts before someone ever walks into one of our facilities. It can begin with a Google search, a visit to ModernStorage.com or a phone call with a member of our team.
From that first interaction, our goal is to understand what the customer needs and help make the process easier. That might mean helping determine an appropriate unit size, explaining available features or simply answering questions clearly so the customer can make an informed decision.
Our goal is for the Modern Storage® experience to feel like more than simply renting space. From finding the right unit to accessing and managing storage, we want the process to feel simple, clear and dependable — giving customers greater peace of mind during whatever brought them to storage in the first place.
Combining Technology With Real People
Technology plays an increasingly important role in the Modern Storage® experience, but our approach isn't to replace personal service with technology. We want to use technology where it can make something easier while keeping real people available when customers need help.
We continue to look for ways to simplify how customers find storage, rent units, manage their accounts and use their storage space.
One example is AssetFIND™, a digital tool developed by Modern Storage® to help customers organize and keep track of items they place in storage.
It's a simple idea built around a real storage problem: remembering what you stored and where you put it. That is the type of practical problem we want technology to help solve.
Modern Storage® for Businesses
Self-storage can also be a valuable resource for businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals who need flexible space as their operations change.
Businesses may use storage for inventory, equipment, supplies, records, marketing materials or deliveries. Instead of treating those customers exactly like residential renters, we've looked for opportunities to make our facilities more useful for the way businesses actually operate.
Select Modern Storage® locations offer business-friendly amenities such as package acceptance, business centers, conference rooms, loading docks and freight-friendly access. Available features vary by facility.
Modern Storage® Goes Beyond Operating Storage Facilities
While self-storage facilities remain at the center of what we do, Modern Storage® has grown into more than a traditional storage operator.
We're developing technology, creating educational resources and sharing what we're learning from operating and growing a self-storage company.
Through ModernStorage.com, our educational articles, videos and social media, we provide resources designed to help customers better understand storage and make informed decisions.
We also produce Modern Storage® Unpacked, our podcast exploring self-storage, development, operations, technology, customer experience and lessons from inside the industry.
Our audience extends beyond people currently renting a storage unit. Developers, facility managers, owner-operators, businesses and others interested in the self-storage industry can learn from the experiences and insights we share.
Modern Storage® by the Numbers
What began with our first facility in 2017 has grown into a significant self-storage presence across Arkansas.
- 10 Modern Storage® facilities
- More than 10,500 storage units
- Approximately 1.68 million square feet
- Facilities across Central and Northwest Arkansas
We're proud of that growth, but these numbers represent more than buildings and square footage. Behind them are thousands of customers, businesses, employees and communities that have become part of the Modern Storage® story.
Recognition for Modern Storage®
As we've grown, we're grateful that our facilities and team have also received recognition within Arkansas and the self-storage industry.
In 2025, Inside Self-Storage ranked Modern Storage® No. 36 among its Top 50 Facility-Management Companies.
Modern Storage® has also been named Best Self Storage in both Central Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas for three consecutive years and won the Storage Units category in the 2026 AY About You Innovative Home Awards.
Awards and rankings are exciting, but we see them as recognition of something larger: the work our team puts into creating and maintaining the Modern Storage® experience every day.
What Does It Mean to Raise the Standard for Self-Storage?
For us, raising the standard isn't about one feature, one amenity or one building. It's about looking at the entire experience and continually asking how we can make it better.
- Thoughtfully designed and professionally maintained facilities
- Customer service focused on understanding individual storage needs
- Technology that helps make storage easier and more convenient
- Useful amenities for residential and business customers
- Clean, welcoming customer spaces
- Professional operations and attention to detail
- Educational resources that help customers make informed storage decisions
- Continued investment in improving the self-storage experience
There will always be opportunities to improve, and that's part of what keeps us excited about the future of Modern Storage®.
From Arkansas Roots to a Nationwide Vision
Arkansas is where the Modern Storage® story began. It's where we opened our first facility, developed our approach and built the foundation for the brand we have today.
But our vision reaches far beyond our home state.
Modern Storage® has a long-term vision of becoming a nationwide self-storage brand, bringing the same standards, customer experience and attention to detail that began in Arkansas to new markets across the country. More Modern Storage® locations are coming soon.
As we grow, maintaining the experience behind the Modern Storage® name will remain one of our biggest priorities. A new Modern Storage® facility should reflect the same commitment to thoughtful design, professional operations, useful technology and customer service regardless of the market it serves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Modern Storage®
What is Modern Storage®?
Modern Storage® is an Arkansas-grown company focused on creating a better self-storage experience through thoughtfully designed facilities, professional operations, technology, customer service and useful business amenities. Since opening its first facility in 2017, Modern Storage® has grown beyond traditional self-storage by developing tools, producing educational resources and the Modern Storage® Unpacked podcast, and sharing operating insights with customers, businesses and the broader self-storage industry.
What amenities does Modern Storage® offer?
Amenities and services vary by location and may include business centers, conference rooms, complimentary coffee, package acceptance, moving trucks, loading docks, freight-friendly access and technology-enabled features. Customers should confirm current amenities with their preferred Modern Storage® facility.
Does Modern Storage® offer free moving trucks?
Select Modern Storage® locations may offer complimentary use of a company moving truck with qualifying new rentals, subject to availability, eligibility requirements, location-specific terms and applicable rental policies.
Is Modern Storage® expanding outside Arkansas?
Modern Storage® has a long-term vision of becoming a nationwide self-storage brand, bringing the same standards, customer experience and attention to detail that began in Arkansas to new markets across the country. More Modern Storage® locations are coming soon.
Does Modern Storage® offer storage for businesses?
Yes. Modern Storage® serves residential and commercial customers. Select locations offer business-friendly features such as package acceptance, conference rooms, business centers, loading docks and freight-friendly access.
Much More in Store
We're grateful to AY Magazine for taking the time to tell the Modern Storage® story and highlight what our team has been working to build.
The feature is an exciting milestone, but we're still building. We're continuing to improve our facilities, technology, customer experience and educational resources while looking ahead to the next chapter of Modern Storage®.
We're proud that the story started in Arkansas, proud of how far we've come since 2017 and excited to bring the Modern Storage® experience to even more customers and communities in the years ahead.
There is much more in store.
Where to go next
Amenities, services and features vary by Modern Storage® facility.