From shipping containers to she sheds, St. Clair County business is still growing
While Dennis Haas of Freeburg worked as a commercial airline pilot for Delta, he started a side business specializing in the sale and rental of storage units.
HaasHold Storage sold shipping containers in varying sizes for personal storage usage.
Haas has since retired from Delta and is currently focusing on building up his side gig, now known as HaasHold Storage Solutions.
The business is located at 11401 Route 161 in New Baden. It’s a former farm property just off of Interstate 64 at mile marker 27, near the New Baden exit.
The property was previously owned by Jessie Hull and her husband, the late Thomas Hull, who operated Hull Auction Service and Western Junction, which sold Western apparel and supplies.
Having grown up in New Baden, I passed the site more times than I can count. I’m not sure I ever set foot on the property until recently.
Haas said he became aware of the property’s availability when the owner’s realtor came to him about renting a shipping container to display a sign that the property was for sale. The property was hidden from the highway by overgrown grass and trees all around, and the shipping container signage would be placed where it was visible to passersby.
The more Haas looked at the property, the more he could see the potential for both his business and new ideas that he and his wife, Kim Haas, have.
Since acquiring the property, a lot of work has been done.
In March, the Haases cleared a lot of the overgrown weeds and trees around the property. They said one couldn’t even see it from Route 161 because it was blocked by nature.
The house and garage that once stood on the property are gone. The land was excavated in April and many truckloads of gravel were brought in to cover multiple acres.
A lot of the property is still vacant, but it is already filling up.
What’s available, what’s coming
Lining the south end of the property along Route 161 are multiple storage sheds in different sizes, styles and colors.
Need storage for lawn and garden equipment? Thinking about living the tiny house life? How about a she shed? (These things come in pink!)
The sheds are part of a product line by Cardinal Buildings, LLC, and more will arrive in September, said Haas, who plans to have around 50 samples on site.
Haas said they have financing options, including rent-to-own agreements.
Also on the property are self-storage units, all made from modified shipping containers.
Haas said there’s a strong market for these containers in the U.S. and people want newer boxes.
These are available in 5x8 feet, 8x10 feet, 8x20 feet and 8x40 feet units. Some have doors on the ends, and others have doors along the side. They have multiple vents along the sides and sit on used vinyl billboard material to help prevent moisture issues.
HaasHold Storage also offers RV storage. There are shipping containers on either side and metal roofing over the top. The ends are open so folks can drive through without having to back into the spaces.
This entire area is fenced in, and storage containers also serve as part of the perimeter wall. The entire area is monitored by multiple security cameras.
Other products that will soon be available include Patiova outdoor furniture and children’s playground sets made from composite material similar to what’s used in decks and patios, Country Lane gazebos, pergolas and pavilions.
Haas said these are expensive, but they last.
Looking to the future
Moving forward, Dennis and Kim Haas have more plans for their growing New Baden empire.
One plan involves that white barn at the heart of the property.
I got to go inside the barn and up to the loft. It looks rough, but most of the structure’s beams look sound. Dennis Haas said it will be stabilized, power washed and painted. They will also use it as a billboard for their businesses.
Kim Haas said her vision for the barn is to use it as a wedding and events venue.
The barn was also the inspiration for the name of her new business, White Barn Antiques and Mercantile. The antique mall and mercantile is also on the property and opens Sept. 4.
There is a lot of room to grow at their site in New Baden, and the couple said the village has been very supportive.
“The entrepreneurial spirit is strong here,” said Kim Haas.
About HaasHold Storage Solutions
HaasHold Storage Solutions is located at 11401 Route 161 in New Baden.
For more information about HaasHold Storage Solutions’ products and services, contact Dennis Haas at 618-531-2731 or Dennis@haasholdstorage.com or follow the Facebook page.
This story was originally published August 31, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
