By Drew Whitney
Setting the Scene
During every Toy Storage Nation RV & Boat Storage Workshop or Masterclass, attendees take a field trip to a nearby facility for a guided tour with the team from Baja Construction, one of the nation’s most widely recognized canopy/carport manufacturers. During the visit, often described as a show highlight, Baja leaders provide details of canopy engineering and the benefits of using this type of design for RV/boat storage.
Last December was no exception; however, visitors to the scheduled site—Hideout Storage Park in Naples, Fla.—couldn’t speak more highly of the facility; in fact, some described it as “jaw-dropping” for
the number of amenities and services provided. Toy Storage Nation’s staff couldn’t agree more, making the Hideout a shoo-in for a Facility of the Month Award.
Let’s roll back the curtains and get a closer look at what makes this site an award-worthy showstopper–on so many levels. We’ll start with the basics and work our way up to uncover some of the classiest storage options available anywhere—and not just in Naples, Fla.!
A Storage Kingdom
At a glance, it’s impossible to gauge the immensity of Hideout Storage Park. On average, an RV/boat storage facility spans 7 to 10 acres. With nearly 40 acres, this site is more like a kingdom. But then, it would have to be considering it encompasses 600 outdoor spaces, 120 covered spaces and 38 condo storage units.
Outdoor storage. Arriving at the site it’s clear that Hideout Storage Park offers outdoor storage for extra-large trucks, RVs and the like, marketing the area as the most flexible and cost-effective option for tenants. Sure, lots of facilities rent outdoor spaces, but Hideout makes sure theirs is a class act:
- Access controlled by security gate,
- Designed for all sizes of RVs, boats and trailers,
- Easy access and maneuverability,
- Well-lit and professionally monitored,
- Security cameras include vehicle-tag reading (using AI technology),
- Dump station with free non-potable water/paid potable water station (with retractable hoses for easy use).
Covered spaces. The owners of this family-run business (more on the Basiks to come!) didn’t skimp when it came to selecting canopies designed and installed by Baja Construction. Baja was one of the first manufacturers on the RV/boat storage scene decades ago, engineering a design to withstand all kinds of Florida weather, from high heat and unforgiving sunshine year-round to hurricanes with pounding hail, rain and wind.
Each of the 120 covered spaces offers full-protection, easy access and peace of mind for tenants storing high-priced motorhomes, fifth wheels, trailers, etc. Here’s what they’ll find:
- High-quality canopy construction,
- 24-7 gated access,
- 20 security cameras on site (including AI-powered vehicle-tag technology),
- 30-amp electric hookups,
- Wide drive lanes designed for maneuvering RVs and boats,
- Dump station as mentioned above.
Condo storage. The Hideout Storage Park’s “Elite Condo Units” are private storage condos
designed for owners wanting dedicated space for their vehicles and equipment, with the flexibility to organize, personalize and access their unit their own way. “We understand that some people refer to these as ‘man caves,’” states the facility’s website, “but we focus on what they truly are: ‘private storage condos built for serious owners.’”
These fully enclosed units feature the following:
- Private, individually owned or reserved units,
- Ideal spot for collector vehicles and specialty equipment,
- Room for customizing and organization.
Currently, Hideout rents out 38 condo storage units, but due to popular demand, plans include phasing in an additional eight condo buildings with 56 more units. Sidenote: These spacious units really “wowed” unsuspecting Toy Storage Nation guests at the December tour!
Saving the Best for Last: It’s All About Family
On the surface, everything about the Hideout Storage Park glimmers of professionalism, but under the surface is what makes the facility really shine, because it’s a family project that spans generations, all beginning with the patriarch, Larry Basik.
Larry could likely be described as a pioneering entrepreneur, something of an adventurer. Originally from Chicago, Larry took a leap of faith when he moved his wife, Anita, and their six kids to remote, barely developed Marco Island (Florida) in the early 1970s.
Larry brought along his years of building experience, which yielded one of his first projects on the island, Port of Marco, a landmark that still stands next to the Olde Marco Inn. He purchased land on Marco in the mid-1970s for several potential projects, buying additional land with the help of his son, Keith, in the mid-90s. That land would soon set the stage for the Hideout, which started to take shape in the next decade.
“The property was actually a good deal east of the growth [on Marco] when it was purchased,” recalls Keith, who teamed up with his brothers to get the project rolling. “Now, many years later, we are in a hugely growing area.”
Although Larry passed away several years ago, Keith and brothers Jeff and Brian continue to keep the business flourishing. Says Keith: “Brian has his own marketing company and oversees all our website and marketing activities. Jeff is really my right-hand man that
helps with financial aspects of the property and serves as a great sounding board. And of course, my mom is a big cheerleader of the project and will give her thoughts. For my part, I handle the daily management and development of the project.”
That’s not where the gratitude stops, though, because Keith credits his wife and kids for putting up with the trials of building the business to its current state. “It has its moments,” he says. “So you definitely need all the support you can get.”
Reflections
Although the family business holds great memories and value, Keith recognizes putting all the pieces to this large puzzle hasn’t always been easy, but it’s definitely worth it—for today … and for the future.
“It has taken many years to get the current zoning in places,” he begins, “but we now have one of the largest industrial and commercial sites in Collier County. Along with the industrial and commercial zoning components, we also have the capacity to add an RV park component to the site, which we may include in the future.”
That’s quite the juxtaposition against preliminary plans for an outdoor storage park back in 2010, he admits. “Over the past 15 years, we’ve expanded into perhaps the most versatile and largest vehicular storage facility in the state of Florida.”
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In addition to phasing in more storage condos, he acknowledges that the Hideout has the potential to add another 100,000 square feet of indoor storage for general storage, as well as for car-stacking units and detailing services.
“Full buildout is not anticipated for another five to seven years,” he adds. “We have the ability to triple the size of our covered storage. We are in no rush and will continue to
monitor the market for adjustments in our unit mix.”
The fact that the site’s outdoor storage is nearly maxed out and finding an open condo unit at the facility is a bust, it stands to reason that Keith and his entire family have far more than a glimmer of hope for future success. While most high-growth and high-need RV/boat storage areas of Florida— and the country for that matter—are under threat of potential, incoming competition, Hideout pretty much stands alone, for good reason.
“Land for this type of storage is very difficult to get and is very costly at this point; thus, it is very difficult to get into certain aspects of this type of storage, especially covered storage,” he says.
And that suits the Basik’s business plan just fine, particularly knowing they’ve found a niche that is profitable and gratifying.
We really enjoy the storage business,” Keith concludes. “We’ve built and owned industrial and commercial parks, as well as residential communities, but we really like the clientele and the daily operations of running somewhat higher-end storage.”
Want to learn more about entering and thriving in RV/boat storage? Toy Storage Nation has just a few remaining seats for the TSN “Storage Redefined” Masterclass, hosted in partnership with ISS World Expo, on April 10 in Las Vegas. This premier educational event is the only opportunity to learn about RV/boat storage, flex space, truck parking, marina storage and more in one day. Learn more and register.
