Harry J. Ashcraft worked in construction for many years, but as he got older he started looking for another job later in life. In 1913, he self-constructed his storage building and started a business that became known as Ashcraft his self-storage.
The business is now owned and run by granddaughter Nora Muccino after her father George retired a few years ago. Since its inception, Ashcraft has grown to now operate ten buildings.
“I have been managing the business for the past four years, and prior to that I held a role at Ashcraft for many years,” she said.
in 2022 observer reporter Ashcraft won the Best of Best Award, winning 1st in Self Storage, 1st in Moving Services, and was nominated for Best of the Best across Mon Valley businesses.
“Our region is blessed with so many great organizations,” Muccino wrote on his Facebook page. “We are proud to have served our communities for over a century.”
Ashcraft is for homeowners on the move, college students looking for a reliable place to store their belongings between semesters, or businesses looking for a more affordable storage solution for inventory, supplies, or equipment. We provide storage solutions.
“Some customers, such as students, rent storage units for the summer holidays,” Muccino says. “Some people have been leasing units for decades.”
We know customer needs vary, so Ashcraft offers the largest selection of storage unit sizes in the Mon Valley region.
The property is located at 101 Greg Street, Monongahela, is well lit and fenced. A full-time staff is available 6 days a week to manage the daily maintenance of the property.
In addition, intermittent video surveillance is located throughout the facility, and computer-controlled access gates allow customers to access storage spaces seven days a week, including holidays, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Each customer is provided with a unique code for that individual gate control. In special circumstances, 24-hour access can be made available.
Many units are equipped with individual door alarms that provide tenants with enhanced control. All units are ground level and easily accessible by car or rental truck. There are no stairs, elevators or long corridors. Complimentary pallets are also available to all customers.
The business also has outdoor storage for boats, RVs, equipment and automobiles.
Free trash cans are conveniently located and available to all guests free of charge. As a service to commercial customers, Ashcraft accepts corporate deliveries and stores in secure, temperature-controlled warehouses for up to 48 hours. This service is provided free of charge to the customer.
Ashcraft also sells boxes, tapes, tape dispensers, bubble wrap, locks and more for transportation, moving, storage or general use.
In the early 1990s, the business began offering document storage and shredding services that functioned in a manner similar to Iron Mountain’s secure document shredder.
“I flew to California for training to learn software to track documents,” Muccino says.
Ashcraft’s website states that its mission is to “oversee the proper storage, retention and disposal of records. We believe that our approach to information management will bring significant financial and organizational benefits to your business. I have.”
In his 99th year in business, Muccino wrote a 208-page presentation about the company’s long history transitions. The presentation she posted on her Facebook included photos documenting important milestones in the business, as well as newspaper articles related to its history.
“In the future, we plan to improve on what we do well,” said Muccino.
