Everyone in your industry and mine seems to agree that new starts are down. And while that may seem like a problem without a solution for many, it is in times like these that we need to consider the situation in a different way. How can we take turn these circumstances into one with a positive outcome? With this question in mind, our cover story in this edition of the Mini-Storage Messenger looks at how this may be the ideal time to consider retrofitting or remodeling existing facilities. You’ll read about how some facility owners have done just that. Our first feature in this issue explores how the industry could change—for better or worse—as the result of the current recession. Complementing this article is “Analyzing The Industry, A Look At Emerging Self-Storage Trends,” which sifts through Self-Storage Almanac data to see where we are and where we may be headed. Columns in this issue cover a variety of informative topics including what older facilities can do to stay competitive with newer sites, tips for combating property tax increases, and strategies for buying Class-C properties. We also look at the “pretend and extend” attitude that we are seeing in the capital markets, and the importance of site selection in a market where new starts are few and far between.