U-Haul is working to repurpose an old abandoned retail lot for a brand-new store in Warren.

U-Haul is currently serving customers out of a temporary showroom at 3394 Elm Road NE, which is the site of the former Chase Bank and Tops Friendly Market grocery store locations.

The company purchased the 7.8-acre property on Tuesday, July 30 and plans to complete renovations on it by the summer of 2025. 

Services immediately available include moving truck rentals, trailers, towing devices, boxes and moving supplies and more. Once renovations are finished services like professional hitch installation and propane will also become available.

Renovation plans call for the addition of 1,000 indoor climate-controlled self-storage unites with high-tech security features. The 69,000 square-foot complex will also hold a warehouse that can store up to 500 portable moving and storage containers.

"The demand for U-Haul products and services is growing rapidly in Warren. We are excited to refurbish this abandoned lot to create something useful and highly requested by the community," said U-Haul Company of Akron President Alissa Nider.

Up to 10 new employees are planned to be hired for the new store.