109 Family property becomes site for safe & secure storage

FAMILY PROPERTY BECOMES SITE FOR SAFE & SECURE STORAGE

WORDS BY WENDY MORRISS | PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY BASS COAST BOAT & CARAVAN STORAGE

Bass Coast Boat and Caravan Storage is an award winning family business conveniently located on the Bass Highway in Glen Forbes, five minutes from the Corinella boat ramp and 10 minutes from Phillip Island.

Dean and Jenni Lewandowski established the business on the family property in 2017, with 12 months prior preparation, which included obtaining permits from the Shire.

Jenni said the business has become extremely successful. “The last 12 months has really kicked off for us. What was our little side hobby is now a full-time business.”

The couple over time have acquired several Bass Coast Shire Council Business Awards starting with 'Best New Business 2019’, then ‘People’s Choice Award for Retail and Services 2021’, and ‘People’s Choice Award for Retail and Services 2022’ plus ‘Runner Up for Marketing and Communications 2022’ in the judged category.

The business is one that stores boats, caravans and other items including trailers, RV’s and motor homes. “The smallest items we have in storage are a kayak and a jet ski while the largest is a 24ft caravan.”

Their storage is affordable and it’s so convenient for people who are short of space, particularly now that housing blocks are smaller and while many councils don’t allow parking on nature strips or roads for long periods. “Using safe and secure storage can also save customer’s money on their insurance,” Jenni said. “Some of ours have contacted their insurance company to update their address as our premises and saved up to 100 dollars."

“We’re in a really good position. We are right on the Bass Highway with an entry turning circle so you can go left or right, which makes it handy for people going inbound or outbound without having to do a U turn with a large heavy item on the back.”

She said both Corinella and Rhyll boat ramps have recently been upgraded. They have a lot of boats that go to either option and some use Newhaven boat ramp as well.

“We also have a drop-off zone for anyone that’s not confident reversing onto their site. They can leave their van or boat out on the gravel and we will put it away with our tractor. For some people, putting large items into storage can be a bit concerning for them, so we try to make it as easy as we can.”

The small family farm, now the site for the business, belonged to Jenni’s parents. “I was lucky enough to be born on the property,” she said.

“But we lost my father 12 years ago. My mother then bought a house in San Remo.

“My husband and I then approached Mum and said ‘we think we have got a great idea’, and asked if we could use the property to do a trial run for 12 months to make sure it would be a goer’. She agreed, so we did and at the end of the 12 months we purchased the property. It was wonderful to be able to buy it from family and to trial the idea before becoming heavily committed.”

They have since built all the shedding and placed gravel over a large area for customers. Jenni, Dean and their two young children live in the house on the site. Jenni said obviously with this type of business it’s difficult for them to go away. They make sure someone is in the house and especially overnight for security. They have video surveillance around the property and an automatic security gate at the front.

She said many people prefer to have their stored items undercover.

“I think it’s because our undercover rates are competitive and affordable.”

Prior to starting the business, Jenni and Dean attended a real estate course with education entrepreneur Dymphna Boholt, where the idea of using the property for the venture was born. “We went to a few of her seminars, which is where we got ideas of trying to take advantage of property you currently have or could own without having a mortgage or without putting yourself into debt, and entering into a joint venture with someone else. We thought because the family property was on the highway and close to everything, it would be a great place for it.”

She said they didn’t have any previous experience in boating or caravanning so they adapted their business as they needed to and with feedback from their customers. “We are always wanting to improve it and make it better.”

Recently, Jenni attended a storage conference to look at what other people are doing in the industry and to look at different ideas for more ways to improve the business.

“Our under cover area is currently full,” she said. “The plan now is possibly to go back to the Shire to get permits for more sheds so we can expand the business.”

1835 Bass Highway, Glen Forbes Vic 3990 Tel: 0484 144 948 Em: mail@basscoastbcs.com.au Web: www.basscoastbcs.com.au

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