Topeka, KS: Building to house classic cars

From CJOnline.com: Building to house classic cars

Two local businessmen have joined forces to give classic car enthusiasts a place to store their vehicles and bond.

Daryl Craft and Mike Fox recently opened M&D Classics Storage at 129 N. Kansas Ave.

For a fee, users can have 24-hour access to a secure, climate-controlled automobile and motorcycle storage facility.

“This is a place you can come and store your classics,” Fox said. “I have seen this in other parts of the country, but not here. I thought it would be a great fit.”

Fox contacted Craft about the idea, and the two pooled their resources to purchase the Lux Building, which was built in 1919 and used for many years as a produce company.

“This seems like a perfect use for this old building,” Craft said. “There isn’t anything else like this in Topeka.”

Besides a large space that has been airbrushed with several pin-up girls and signs to resemble an old garage, there also is a comfortable lounge featuring overstuffed chairs, a couch and a large-screen television; a room where people can play cards; and areas for light mechanical work and cars that are for sale.

The storage area has room for about 35 vehicles and 20 motorcycles, the duo said.

Fox said the two put a “substantial amount of money” into the facility, which features state-of-the-art security and Internet video, but the venture is well worth it.

“We have added something to the community, and it’s fun,” said Craft, who owns a 2005 Corvette.

“We have taken an old building and given it a use again,” said Fox, who started his collection with a 1964 Corvette in 1982.

Prices for storage start at $75 for motorcycles and $125 for vehicles.

On Tuesday, Fox and Craft watched as the finishing touches on a mural were being added by Jeff Hisey, of Air Attitude. Hisey has painted several small murals throughout the garage area. Fox knew of Hisey’s talents because he was responsible for the murals at the Celtic Fox, 118 S.W. 8th, which Fox owns. Fox also owns Fox Builders.

So far, the building serves as a storage facility for four Corvettes, a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, 1958 Chevrolet Impala and a Harley Davidson Road King.

Fox and Craft hope the storage area will allow for car shows in the cold, winter months. They have plans for other activities in the future.

Craft, president of GTRUST Financial Partners, and Fox also worked together to complete a $3.2 million renovation project at 900 S. Kansas Ave. The building, which was renovated into executive suites, was approved for the National Register of Historic Places.

To renovate the Lux Building, Craft and Fox added fresh paint, new lighting, leveled floors and removed blocks from windows to allow more light to flow into the storage area.

After serving as a produce company, the building also has been home to a liquor distributor and a fastener company, Fox said.

For information on M&D Classics Storage, call (785) 806-3803.