Pleasant surprise here at Pouch Self Storage in San Juan this weekend. A 1925 Ford model T (aka “Depot Hacks”) rolled into our driveway being driven by one of our valued tenants. It’s not often a Model T is seen on the roads anymore and it seeks attention everywhere it goes. This one is well taken care of and is without doubt, “safer in the Pouch.”

Our customer offered a short history listen on the Model T (or Depot Hack as he called it). He said the very first station wagons were called Depot Hacks and were used as wagons to carry passengers and cargo from railroad stations back in the day. They started production on this American classic back in 1908 and the last one rolled off the assembly line in 1927.  He is proud of his car and trusts us at Pouch to safely store it in between his Sunday drives.

Suddenly, with no tenants on property, the fire alarm goes off. Larry and I look at each other puzzled. We respond to find no smoke or fire anywhere on the property. After silencing the alarm and speaking to RFI and the fire department, the facility returns to tranquility again. An hour before closing, the alarm goes off again. Once again we search for the source of the alarm to no avail. This time, we only spoke to RFI and shortly after, the fire department arrived. After resetting the system, they leave. We are still puzzled and concerned that the alarm will go off again during the course of the evening. Upon retrieving my vehicle near the end of the work day, I discover a strong, smoky barbeque smell coming from the nearby property. It is to my deduction that the smoke alarm was tripping when the smoky barbeque would enter the slotted vents nearest the detector. That must have been one heck of a dinner if the fire department had to respond. Never a dull moment at Long Beach.

It is good to see the local neighborhood taking advantage of all our services, including the free truck move, despite it being merely across the street.