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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 6, 2021
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Toy Barn puts high-end spin on garages BY LAURA LATZKO Contributor
Toy Barn Luxury Garage Ownership doesn’t just offer storage for cars, boats, RVs, racecars, motorcycles and off-road vehicles. It’s a community for vehicle enthusiasts. Units come with amenities such as prewired internet and TV access, plumbing, insulated walls and ceilings, RV outlets, electric garage doors, community restrooms and access to clubhouses. The father-and-son team behind Toy Barn, Paul and Jason Wesley, have expanded its business since opening its first location in 2010 at Cave Creek and Peak View roads. Originally from Ohio, the two were residential land subdividers before they became involved in the luxury garage business in 2008. After opening a location near Chandler Airport last year, Jason said the company continues to expand. “We were really trying to accommodate people who lived in the North Scottsdale communities who didn’t have any additional storage options. It’s real-estate ownership, so it’s an investment versus just paying rent on a storage facility,” he said. “A lot of them have been around 10 years. They have double-lot equity. They get the tax benefits that come
Jason Wesley said that he and his dad Paul Wesley seized on Toy Barn as a real estate investment opportunity and opened one in Chandler last year. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)
with real-estate ownership.” Because businesses like this were few, they had to figure it out on their own. “It’s extremely niche,” Jason said. “There was no roadmap for getting into the garage/condominium business when we did.” Their time in the luxury garage busi-
ness has been a learning process. They have continued to adapt, especially with delays in new constructions during the pandemic. “We have learned quite a bit about the construction process, the challenges associated with it, how to manage those challenges, managing schedules
and people’s expectations, what works and doesn’t work,” Jason said. “We try to incorporate the lessons learned from every community into the new one.” The two men have their own “toys” that they enjoy in their spare time. Paul See
TOY BARN on page 30
Billiards-bowling venue opening in Chandler 810 Billiards & Bowling is family-friendly entertainment “with an upscale twist,” Poonam said. The Chandler location has 12 bowling lanes – eight regular and four reserved for private parties – as well as an arcade, shuffleboard, table games, cornhole, darts and five billiards tables. The entertainment center stands out because it offers a full-service restaurant and bar with the option to bowl, Poonam said. It is not a bowling alley with the option to eat. 810’s restaurant specializes in American comfort food, Poonam said. All pizza is made from scratch, and the menu has options like burgers, fries, salads, wings and specialty cocktails. “We want to give you that elevated feeling without elevating prices,” Poonam said. Because their motto is “be social,” 810 Billiards & Bowling will emphasize social aspects and service. “Every single person who walks out of here needs to walk out with a smile on their face,” Poonam said. Originally, the Maneks had no interest in 810 Billiards & Bowling. Before moving to Arizona, Ronak and Poonam lived in Chicago, where
BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE Staff Writer
Ready to socialize again? Chandler’s entertainment scene is growing as a new billiards and bowling joint with a “be social” motto plans to open soon near Chandler Fashion Center. 810 Billiards & Bowling, a South Carolina-based entertainment concept, is opening its first two Arizona locations in Phoenix and Chandler within the next few weeks. Husband and wife Ronak and Poonam Manek are the franchise owners of the Chandler location at 3455 W. Frye Road. “We feel as though people are ready to get out and start having a social life again,” Poonam said. “Meeting with friends and getting out with the family or doing whatever is up their alley, pun intended.” Mike Siniscalchi founded 810 Billiards & Bowling in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 2015. Now, Siniscalchi is expanding the franchise beyond its three existing locations in South Carolina to the Arizona market. “We’re excited to be a part of post-COVID as Phoenix returns to life,” Siniscalchi said.
810 Billiards & Bowling General Manager Michael Cleveland shows off one of the venue's balls. (Pablo Robles/Arizonan Staff Photographer)
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BILLIARDS on page 33
