The Epic Group has been managing and developing self storage facilities for almost thirty years. With the current development of Condor Self Storage in Ojai, California, Epic, currently manages nine active self-storage facilities and has several others in various stages of development.

For this Facility of the Month article we interviewed long-time Epic Group managers, Lou and Goya Rosales. Lou and Goya started as managers at Esplanade Mini Storage in August 1994. In May 1998 they opened and assumed management of Ventura Harbor Self Storage in Ventura, CA. Besides managing Ventura Harbor, together they now oversee the daily operation and management of the other eight existing self storage facilities. Lou serves as chief installer as well as monitoring IT operations throughout the Epic Group portfolio while Goya focuses on human resources and self storage legal issues such as lien processing rental compliance. In addition they coordinate with facility vendors and contractors as well as providing valuable input to office setup and design.

While still at Esplanade, Lou and Goya struggled with minimally featured storage management software for over a year. In the summer of 1996, at the suggestion of Epic Group president Bill Kendall, Lou, and Epic Group comptroller, Judy Mitchell, met with QuikStor Software & Security. Lou had recently seen and was impressed with an ad for QuikStor for DOS software which at the time was changing the way self-storage owners and managers were able to control business income, operations, and tenant records. During that time, the majority of storage facilities were keeping track of all this information by pen and paper. Having been involved in various iterations of QuikStor for Windows and beta testing for QuikStor Express, Lou & Goya have seen many of their suggestions and feedback incorporated into the program. As such, QuikStor remains especially suited for use at all the existing and future Epic Group managed self storage facilities.

Paul Brandenburg, a senior account representative at QuikStor remarks on the Epic Group, “I first met Lou back in 1998 when at the time I was a QuikStor technical support representative assisting him with installation of hardware and software.” Paul also states, “Epic doesn’t wait for the competition to get a leg up on them. They stay on the cutting edge of self-storage technology. I’m very impressed with Epic’s decision to take full advantage of QuikStor’s software and security product lines by pro-actively marketing the benefits to new (and existing) tenants.”


Existing Epic Group facilities include:

Esplanade Mini Storage: This single story project in Oxnard, CA includes 73,600 sq ft of storage with 614 individual units. The facility currently uses QuikStor Express management software with QuikStor access control keypads. The site provides storage services for a large residential community, office and industrial businesses, as well as nearby military installations. Esplanade Mini Storage is managed by Bill and Karen Colasinki.

Ventura Harbor Self-Storage: With 642 storage units and 77 existing boat/RV spaces, this facility is very close to completing a brand new two story 245+ unit building. Tenants include local merchants, commercial, marina patrons, and Ventura Keys waterfront home residents. It is managed by Lou and Goya Rosales using QuikStor Express, QuikStor access control keypads, QuikStor’s 3-D Site Graphics and the patented QuikStor wireless unit alarm system.

Johnson Drive Self Storage: Originally named Ventura Storage Center, this facility was acquired by the Epic Group and renovated to now include 600 storage units.. It services the Ventura North Bank area and competes very successfully with two nearby Public Storage facilities. The facility manager, Dion Smith, uses QuikStor Express software with QuikStor access control keypads.

Paso Robles Self Storage: Acquired in late 2001, this 95,612 sq ft facility totaling 582 units has a newly remodeled office and brand new manager’s residence. Residential manager Vickie St. Oegger uses QuikStor Express, QuikStor access control keypads and QuikStor’s 3-D Site Graphics.
Ventura Avenue Self Storage: With phase II completed in 2007, this facility now has 75,372 Net Sq Ft of storage space including 693 storage and 17 RV parking spaces. Serving the central and West (Avenue) Ventura area, this facility is managed by Paul & Phyllis Everton. It boasts the patented QuikStor wireless unit alarm system, QuikStor access control keypads and QuikStor Site Graphics.

Santa Paula Self Storage: This state of the art facility on the banks of the Santa Clara River serves Santa Paula and surrounding area with over 80,000 sq. ft of storage space including 88 RV spaces and 733 units. The managers, Robert & Colleen Rosales use QuikStor Express and access control keypads, as wells as the patented QuikStor wireless unit alarm system. QuikStor Site Graphics is displayed on a 42” plasma monitor.

Self Storage Santa Maria: Serving southern San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties with 64,046 sq feet of storage space in 937 units and 19,152 sq ft of RV parking in 67 units, this facility utilizes the QuikStor Digital Video Surveillance system along with QuikStor Express, access control keypads and the patented QuikStor wireless unit alarm system. It is managed by Byron & Patricia Bartlett.

Pismo Beach Self-Storage: This 209 unit facility with its 191 parking spaces was acquired by the Epic Group in 2005 with the purpose of being completely renovated. That work is currently in the planning phase and is scheduled to begin in the near future. It is currently being managed by Layla Orosco with the QuikStor Express management software. Once the renovations are completed this will be another state of the art facility with the latest high tech security provided by QuikStor.

Buellton Self Storage: Currently the crown jewel of Epic Group’s self storage projects, this facility just opened its doors in May 2007. It sits at the hub of the Santa Ynez wine country and serves the entire valley from Solvang to Lompoc with 83,680 sq ft of storage in 749 units. Of those, 383 are fully climate controlled units suitable for wine or other climate sensitive storage. It is managed by Rico & Ninni Lemus and uses QuikStor Express, QuikStor access control keypads, and the patented QuikStor wireless unit alarm system. The QuikStor 3-D Site Graphics and QuikStor digital video security cameras are displayed on matching 42” LCD monitors. With elegant landscaping and interior design, Buellton Self Storage is poised to host frequent wine tours and is a stop on the “Sideways” tour route. The managers also frequently greet tourists who stop to view its magnificent mural as well as the majestic California Oak tree featured in the “Sideways” movie.

Coming March 2008

Condor Self Storage of Ojai: Due to open this month is this 85,586 sq. ft. facility with its 473 storage units (more than half will be climate controlled) and 64 parking spaces. With landscaping and interior design to rival that of Buellton Self Storage, this facility will also display its security cameras and 3-D Site Graphics on matching flat panel monitors and will use QuikStor management software and access control system. To provide even more value to prospective tenants this site will be outfitted with the latest wireless unit alarm technology offered by QuikStor.