The cha chaan teng is where the word gets around. It is brought up in the elevator. Suddenly, another acquaintance starts gushing about a climate controlled storage Lai Chi Kok sanctuary. What, then, is the fuss about? When it’s hot outside in July, this place really has more customers than bubble tea.
Real talk: house sizes in Hong Kong are decreasing. Everybody who claims they “don’t need extra room” is either lying or lives in a mansion; closets are ridiculous, and wardrobes are overflowing. People pay attention when a storage facility advertises reasonably priced, dry, easily accessible spaces.
However, square footage isn’t the only factor here. The moment you step inside, you’ll notice that every locker is spotless. There is not a trace of the musty summer air, no odours, and no strange stains. Things are kept tighter than your granny’s handbag by the security staff. Digital technology has rendered lock-picking obsolete, and entry uses it. At midnight, would you like to return your snowboard? No sweat—not a peep from the employees. They understand that some people have odd schedules, work late, or simply need to make a last-minute book donation at 2 in the morning.
While floor plan is important, it’s the little details that make a big impression. Those fat little marker pens, along with paper and tape, are yours for the taking the moment you step inside. As far as anyone could tell, it was the one Kowloon establishment where “customer service still means something.” They were correct. Not sure what to do with stacked boxes? With a wry smile and anecdote about the time his tower of dishes fell over, a manager gives advice on how to stack frog leaps. Even though you weren’t expecting it, that storage checklist came with free relocation advise.
Where is it? Perfect. Before you even unpack, you won’t have to slog through industrial wasteland or sweat buckets. Just a few minutes away from main MTR exits, you’ll find D2 Place, the perfect spot for that post-drop-off snack. Nobody gives you the evil eye if you take too long in the elevator, and there’s plenty of parking.
When people talk about storage, they usually mean stuff. At stake here is mental tranquility. No matter how painful an experience it may have been—your boss “suggested” you work from home or your roommate threatened to throw out your comic book collection—this place helps ease the pain. Neighbors may be stowing skis or establishing a temporary work area. Heard last week of a man who “rationed them for a year” by keeping mooncakes separate from his family. It was a relief for people of all walks of life to finally have some space to breathe.
Who is making such quick reservations at Lai Chi Kok? Reports circulate. A person gives it a go, falls in love with it, and then tells ten more people about it. Just a hint of fear of missing out, and plenty of smart city survival. A good solution that isn’t widely used yet is sure to be beloved by Hong Kongers. You could have to wait until next week to get your corner space if your neighbor takes it. Plus, no one enjoys a game of musical chairs involving boxes.