Best of luck to the highest bidder

Times Contributor

 

Strathmore held its own version of the popular A&E show Storage Wars on June 23. People were invited to sign up for a chance to bid on the eight units for sale.  

Canada West Self Storage has been open for just over three years. In the past, previous management would allow the tenants to open up their units and have a garage sale if they wished.  

“This year actually we had a bunch of units that were abandoned and needed to go so we decided that we would combine the storage wars auction of the units with the garage sale. Then I came up with the idea of having a charity BBQ to help give back to the town,” said Katrina Smith, facility manager of Canada West Self Storage. 

The Youth Club of Strathmore was picked as the charity of choice because Smith said she knew about the struggles the club has faced with trying to find a home, the vandalism issues and lack of funding. Her own children have attended what was formerly known as the Boys and Girls Club as well. 

“That’s what’s important is having something for the youth in our town because there have been a lot of issues with drug use and death. That’s something that the youth club is trying to get up and running is to provide programs to keep the youth of the street and out of drugs. I couldn’t think of another better cause to support in town,” said Smith. 

There were only four people who pre-registered to bid, but come auction day there were 31 bidders lined up. A few hundred people took in the event that had Graham Auctions auctioneer Kevin Botsford calling for bids. 

One unit sold for as little as $2 while the unit that brought in the most sold for $1,425. 

“We had one gentleman that bought a unit and there wasn’t really anything in it but he just kind of went to town and had fun with it and that was his cheap entertainment,” said Smith.

“It was pretty good, a lot of them though people were like, ‘oh a lot of garbage.’ I think for the most part everyone was fairly happy and we didn’t have any complaints back. If anybody did find any big treasures I don’t think they would announce it too much.”

She said there will probably be auction and garage sales throughout the year whenever the demand is there, and the charity BBQ will be an annual event.