Stor-Age Kramerville steps up: Using storage to empower the local community

Stor-Age Kramerville, one of the latest additions to South Africa’s largest self storage brand, is rapidly becoming more than just a place to store household items or business stock. It’s emerging as a community hub — a centre for collaboration, generosity and upliftment — driven by the simple belief that businesses should contribute positively to the communities they serve. 

Our self storage facility in Kramerville recently partnered with a local organisation that is deeply embedded in the Sandton community: the Sandton SPCA, which works to protect and rehome vulnerable animals.  

Partnering with the Sandton SPCA 

For Stor-Age, local partnerships go beyond corporate responsibility; they’re about genuine connection as highlighted by Head of Marketing, Rob Baird. 

“As a business, it’s important for us to invest in the local communities in which our properties trade,” said Baird. “Not because we have to, but because we want to. We genuinely care about the organisations and community groups in these areas and when we hear of one in need and are able to assist, we do.” 

Weathering the storm with the SPCA 

Situated close to our Kramerville store, the Sandton SPCA was facing a significant challenge. Heavy rainfall had placed critical food supplies, donations, and charity shop items at risk. Without adequate space to securely store these goods, the team was increasingly concerned about damage and loss — both of which could have a knock-on effect on their ability to care for the animals. 

That’s when our team at Kramerville stepped in. 

“After chatting to the SPCA about their immediate needs we offered the team a unit at our Kramerville store which they now use on a daily basis,” said Baird. “It’s allowed them to limit the impact of heavy rainfall and free up key space at the animal shelter to cater for more animals and better manage their operations.” 

Yolande van Rooyen, a representative from the Sandton SPCA, praised the move as transformative. 

“A huge thank you to Stor-Age Kramerville for their wonderful support and for coming to our rescue by offering storage for our food and charity shop items,” said van Rooyen.  

“During the recent heavy rains, we were holding our breath, hoping our supplies wouldn’t be damaged. Now, thanks to the Stor-Age team, we can rest assured that our precious food and donations are stored safely and close by for easy collection. You are our heroes — thank you for your kindness and generosity!” 

The SPCA now benefits from daily access to a secure unit, easing pressure on their shelter space and ensuring that donated supplies remain in top condition for the animals that need them most. 

If you’re looking to adopt or donate, you can get in touch here!  

The Power of Local Insight 

Much of Stor-Age’s success in community engagement stems from the fact that our stores are run by people who live and work in the same neighbourhoods they serve. Local knowledge, staff insight and day-to-day interaction with residents means initiatives like these are not only welcomed but often initiated by store managers themselves. 

“Our staff are in most cases from the very communities that our properties are in,” said Baird. “So, the response we receive when engaging in an initiative like this is always overwhelmingly positive. Often these partnerships are driven by the store manager or assistant manager — they know their local communities best.” 

At Kramerville, the involvement has created a ripple effect. Locals have responded with enthusiasm, eager to support the SPCA. The store has already established itself as a reliable drop-off point for donations. 

“The local community is very much behind any way to support their local SPCA, as they do an incredible amount for animals in their community,” added Baird.  

Looking Ahead: A Hub for More Than Storage 

With winter approaching, the focus at Kramerville is shifting towards seasonal needs. Plans are underway to coordinate additional donation drives, particularly for warm clothing, blankets and food supplies. 

“We believe there’s an opportunity to bring more people from the broader Sandton community in to support the Sandton SPCA,” noted Baird. “We’ll continue to support their initiative or specific drives when the opportunity presents itself. Winter will be a key focus area.” 

But Stor-Age’s vision for Kramerville doesn’t end with seasonal support. We are also looking to grow the store as a base for small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups — a natural extension of our existing micro-warehousing model. 

“Our properties act as business incubators for many SMMEs, often assisting local businesses to transition from family home-based operations to larger-scale entities, employing more staff and contributing further to the local economy.” said Baird. 

By blending support for social initiatives with infrastructure for economic growth, the Kramerville store is setting a blueprint for what local community impact can look like — holistic, ongoing and deeply personal. 

A Culture of Relevance and Responsibility 

Underlying all these efforts is Stor-Age’s broader ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) framework, which prioritises relevance and long-term responsibility. From reducing emissions across our national portfolio to providing storage for schools, charities and sports clubs, Stor-Age aims to use every available resource for the greater good. 

“Recognising our role as a responsible member of the broader community, and in support of our Core Value of Relevance, we aim to improve the lives of our customers, employees and the people in the broader communities in which we operate.” expressed Baird.  

Kramerville is a great example of this value in action, a facility that supports pets, entrepreneurs and everyday people, all under one roof. 

As more residents come through its doors, either to store, support or simply learn more, one thing is clear: Kramerville is more than just a storage facility. It’s becoming a cornerstone of community support in the heart of Sandton.