Chris Long Expands Longyards Outdoor Storage Across North America

Chris Long, a former carpenter and founder of Longyards, established a business renting secure outdoor storage yards to contractors and businesses on a month-to-month basis. Long launched the venture in 2019 after his construction company faced bankruptcy when a big-box retailer failed to pay him.

Developing an initial 10-acre property in Ottawa, Canada, Long created a flexible alternative to long-term warehouse leases. He describes the business model as bringing the "self-storage model to dirt," utilizing gravel lots equipped with fencing, cameras, and digital gate access. To mitigate zoning and demand risks, Long employs a "demand first, land second" strategy, validating market interest from local contractors before acquiring property.

Following the success of the Canadian site, Long expanded Longyards operations into Florida and Texas. He noted that while the model provides simple cash flow, operators must remain vigilant because "people can abuse the facility" and management needs to be proactive.