SMARTBOX
to Launch in Boston
Portable Self Storage Firm Opens 10th New Location in Past Year
RICHMOND, Va., July
10, 2007 – SMARTBOX, a leader in portable self storage, today
announces its entry into Boston – the 10th new franchise opening
in the past year. Boston, which will open this August, joins Atlanta,
Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Jacksonville, Fla., Minneapolis/St. Paul,
New Orleans, Raleigh, N.C., and San Antonio as franchises that recently
have launched.
“While our
national footprint continues to grow, the driving success is our individual
franchises,” said Dusty Rhodes, director of business development
for SMARTBOX. “We expect Boston to be much of the same, as homeowners
and business owners who are looking for convenient storage and moving
options soon will be able to take advantage of the simple and smart
solutions we provide.”
SMARTBOX of New
England will be led by Patrick M. Miniutti, the managing director at
Sunset Advisory Services LLC. Miniutti has served as a chief operating
officer and chief financial officer for public and private firms over
the past 27 years, including Konover Property Trust and Crown American
Realty Trust. These REITs focused on regional mall and retail center
management and development.
Miniutti joins a
growing list of executives turned entrepreneurs that includes:
• Pat Foley (former Chief Marketing Officer at Allianz Life Insurance
Company of North America) and Sharon Foley (former President/Chief Marketing
Officer at USAllianz Securities) of SMARTBOX of Minneapolis
• Frank Kelly (former Senior Vice President for global operations
at Convergys Corporation) of SMARTBOX of Jacksonville
• Dave Borden (former Co-founder and CEO of Rentclicks.com –
now a PRIMEDIA company)
• Charley MacKenzie and Matt Bowry (founders of MacKenzie Equity
Partners LLC)
SMARTBOX, founded
in 2004 and recently named to the “Franchise 50” by the
Franchise Business Review, enables residential and commercial users
to pack and load their belongings at their convenience in containers
that are 8 feet long, 7 feet tall and 5 feet wide and can hold the contents
of up to 1½ rooms (3,000 pound capacity).
When they’ve
finished packing their Smartboxes, users can call SMARTBOX to pick them
up and deliver them for storage in one of its secure warehouses or for
moving to another location through its SMARTCARE service. Some users
store their Smartboxes at their homes or offices.
About
SMARTBOX
SMARTBOX is a leader in the portable self-storage industry, offering
individuals and businesses affordable and convenient storage and local
and long-distance moving solutions. Based in Richmond, Va., SMARTBOX
has franchises in Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Denver, San
Antonio, Baltimore, Atlanta, New Orleans, Charlotte, N.C., Raleigh,
N.C., Jacksonville, Fla., Richmond, Va., Williamsburg/Newport News,
Va., Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Va., and Fredericksburg, Va. For more information,
visit www.smartboxusa.com.
