In a NY Times story about the rising popularity of storage units, we learn that Americans love to be pack rats, even if there's therapy involved.
"Dr. Gregg Jantz, a psychologist and author in Seattle who has treated patients with pathological hoarding issues, said that hoarders, as well as those with less severe cluttering or collecting tendencies, can lose the ability to appraise the worth of things..."
On the flip side, companies like Public Storage in Glendale--which operate more than 2,000 warehouses in 38 states--are likely banking it in. In 2006, the storage industry "earned more than $22 billion in gross revenue." If storage is the new parking lot industry, we're ready to start erecting Quonset Huts on our lawns.
· Hooked on Storage [NY Times]