When Jason Phillips strolls through Toy Barn’s Chandler facility, he doesn’t simply see people pulling vehicles in or out of the place — especially on the weekends.
“Weekends are busy,” Phillips said. “You’ll see several people tinkering, often with the hood up, on a race car or hot rod of some sort.”
There are a few rules to follow at Toy Barn, which recently expanded its Chandler Airport-area facility to a total of 141 units.
One rule the small Valley chain of facilities doesn’t have is about maintenance: There’s no hours, time limits or types of work restricted on vehicles, as long as it’s confined in one of the garages.
Toy Barn started more than 14 years ago, primarily in the North Valley. The business model is garages owned by the users, climate-controlled and secured by cameras, fencing and walls, for vehicle storage and some maintenance.
There are seven Valley locations, many near airports, including Chandler. The opening of an eighth location in the Dove Valley area is planned in 2025.
The Chandler facility is located in the Chandler Airpark industrial area, along South Stearman Drive, just east of Chandler Municipal Airport.
As of Oct. 1, a third phase to the Chandler facility opened, adding 49 new units. Some are still available for purchase.
Phillips said the units are essentially real estate for sale, and currently go for between about $400,000 to $460,000.
“The prices have been somewhat prey to inflation,” Phillips said.
Phillips said the garages are temperature-controlled. There’s an owners’ association, with a three- to five-person board of directors, mainly to oversee things like basic maintenance and landscaping.
Phillips began his career as a real estate broker but soon became more interested in land acquisition, construction, quality control and project management. He’s responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company’s Scottsdale office; that’s also where Toy Barn’s largest storage facility is located.
He said many types of vehicles are kept in Toy Barn garages. There are collectible cars, hot rods, luxury boats and some RVs.
Toy Barn’s website says it has a collective 700,000 square feet under roofs, or 543 units of “luxury garage condos.”
Each “condo” is a titled unit and ownership includes access to common areas, plus a members-only clubhouse, the site states.
All units have a minimum 18-foot ceiling. Toy Barn’s five floor plans range from 960 to 3,000 square feet.
Each garage includes 24-7 access and both a “heavy-duty” garage door and standard entry/exit doors.
Phillips said it’s always been important to have large driving aisles for vehicles and trailers.
Learn more about Toy Barn Chandler online at toybarnstorage.com by calling 480-419-0101.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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