It was Joe’s running joke on Fuk Wing Street that his closet had a black hole. “What goes in, stays in.” His neighbors would complain enough about trying to store their mahjong table for the holidays without having to deal with a mountain of winter coats that had accumulated during the year. Suddenly, word got out that Lai Chi Kok would finally find her big break with Brilliant Storage Limited.
Hiring a large locker and stuffing everything inside isn’t the secret. Someone on the ground has nailed it, and your bank account will be relieved. People first share small lockers. Three pals split up a little apartment, with each taking up a different area. A simple WhatsApp message is all it takes to check one’s belongings. It’s inexpensive, everyone pitches in, and no one’s wedding gown has ever gone missing.
Always keep vertical space in mind. After May stacked robust bins like a Tetris master, she learned that. She winks and says, “You’re not stacking right” if you’re not somewhat perspiring. Bin weight is double-checked by Lai Chi Kok’s ancient hands. Without fail, the heaviest tubs sink to the bottom. Less room is wasted, which means less money goes out the door every month.
Following that is the rotated swap. Seasons are marked by locals on their boxes, such as “Winter Sweaters” or “Summer Picnic Gear.” They trade their belongings from home for their storage space once every three months. Because it’s always changing, just the necessities take up valuable real estate in the flat. People will even lend each other things like sports gear, costumes, and party supplies. Effortlessness taken to a whole new level with this mind-bending exchange program.
Locals in Lai Chi Kok are savvy enough to check the terms and conditions of any temporary storage discounts offered by mini storage facilities. Once the introductory period finishes, they vigilantly watch for hidden rate increases. Word on the street is that you should vacate the premises as soon as the promotional period finishes and then rent the adjacent apartment at a reduced rate. Quite cunning!
A pleasant surprise? The spirit of community. Once reticent individuals are now lending each other ladders and exchanging packing tape. Even if storage doesn’t seem like much, it actually is a little touch of practical magic in Lai Chi Kok. Even in their little dwellings, people manage to get more done and put more money away. It just required a little bit of ingenuity, a sprinkle of trust amongst neighbors, and the courage to rummage through boxes after midnight to find your beloved winter scarf.