One thing that really hits home when one is in business online, is how quickly global events can affect your own store. When China experienced their devastating earthquakes a few months back, it didn't immediately occur to me how that tragedy could have an effect on my business selling the popular Rhino brand portable garages and shelters. But, of course, everything is connected in one way or another, and in this case, the earthquakes resulted in a slow-down of product deliveries here in the U.S.

I was impressed at how, when we initially learned of the news, we were told that production would get back to normal within a few months - which, in itself seems like a quick road to recovery. What warmed my heart even more, however, is the thought that the shelters that were available would be going toward relief efforts first. Well. When we put it all into perspective, I suppose I'm willing to wait just a little while longer!

To my valued customers: Please bear with us while we work with our suppliers. By mid to late August, we expect to be back in the full swing of things with a complete line of Rhino brand shelters! We appreciate all of our customers, and we thank you for your business!

Hi everyone!

After a very long and snowy winter, springtime is finally arriving up here in the White Mountains of New Hampshire - well, except for today, where we are in the midst of a late April snow. At least it's not like last April, where we were hit with about 6-feet here at our place. But now, the forsythias are in bloom, and the orders for hobby greenhouses are starting to arrive. And why not? In an area such as this, when the snow melts, we all get eager to dig in the garden and begin planting!

Up here, however, it is still way too early to plant too much. We can get some peas and spinach into the ground, but to attempt anything else without protection from the cold, frost - and yes - snow, is unwise at this early stage. Our mini greenhouses are a nice little tool to help you get your plants to a good start.

Another thing that people seem to be enjoying are those new CycleShelters - the "accordian" type of motorcycle shelter we've been carrying for the last few months. These things are great! They are meant for outdoor use, and can be carried along on the back of your bike. These CycleShelters are perfect for "Bike Weeks" all over the country. Up here in New Hampshire, it won't be long before motorcycle enthusiasts arrive for their annual week of activities in Laconia - about 1-1/2 hours south of here. But, we'll see hundreds of folks up here in the mountains as well, as the motorcyclists drive around the state to enjoy the open and scenic roads and majestic scenery of our own little paradise.

Wherever you are, enjoy the freshness of spring!

Kathy & John

Happy New Year to all our Friends and Customers here at Portable Garages and Shelters!

It was a busy fall season for us here as folks in the north hurried to assemble their various portable garages before the snow began to fly. And fly, it did! Here in the White Mountains of NH, we had to be plowed nearly a dozen times before the New Year. Today - January 10th - we are experiencing what appears to be the tail end of our "January Thaw" - a few days of unseasonably warm (40's and 50's) temperatures. Just enough to melt some of the potential ice dams from our roof.

Down south, where we were for a few weeks in early December, people were still outdoors grilling and enjoying the outdoors in shorts and sandals. Which reminded us that although we are in an area where we can't set up our portable greenhouse or party tent until spring - there are lots of folks in other areas of the country who can, and do, have wonderful outdoor gatherings throughout the winter. Up in the north, I have seen people pitch a party tent to use as a warm-up shelter (complete with hot chocolate!).

And one of my mid-western customers who purchased one of our new folding "CycleShelters" (a very cool outdoor motorcycle shelter that fits on the back of your bike) told me that he rides his motorcycle year-round! With the exception of a few hardy northern riders who venture out during the January Thaw, we won't see too many motorcyclists until March and April!

So, wherever you are - enjoy your winter season! And have a happy, healthy, and safe 2008!

I just got the nicest email anyone could possibly ask for! One of the things that I have noticed about being in business online is that I meet some fantastic people. I asked Steve if I could share his letter with you, and he kindly obliged. Keep your eyes open for a Photo Gallery! As soon as I have customer photos, I'll get the Gallery up and running. And... Thank you Steve B! (And yes, I shared this with our Dave at our portable garages and shelters warehouse and asked that he share it with the freight carrier as well):

Ok... So we were chatting with one of our portable garage customers, Mike, from British Columbia, who said that it would be a good thing for us to put our pictures on the site so that people can actually put a face to the name. Well, we don't have a recent photo of ourselves here at home, but if you go to our "About Us" page, you'll see one from our wonderful vacation to St. Martin last November, 2006 - just in from a WARM swim in the ocean (I emphasize WARM since the waters off the New England coast are anything BUT warm!).

I also put in a photo of the view from our front yard - you are looking at Mount Madison (on the left) and Mout Adams (on the right). These are part of the northern Presidentials in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I told you we lived in the mountains! :) We need to take down a few straggly spruce that are in the way of our view. Maybe next year's project... (By the way, Mike and his wife Debbie own a few AWESOME wilderness retreat cabins that we are hoping to get to. Click here to see their Wildwood Cabin and their Outa-the-Way Treehouse - both near Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada. They've been written up in magazines - you'll see why when you get a look at these amazing getaways! Until next time... Get those cars and toys under cover! :)

The folks from our warehouse say that someone buys a portable garage every 22 minutes or so! We also read a trade article recently that talked about the cost of building a traditional (lumber) one-car garage (they estimate $5,000-$10,000) and that consumers are rapidly turning to portable garages as a cost-effective alternative (source: http://www.azobuild.com/news.asp?newsID=4348)

As if to prove this point, last week we went to the Maine coast and noticed dozens of portable garages along the way! We only live a couple of hours away from the coast - and we stayed on the main road - so seeing so many was kind of cool! Also, we were REALLY pleased to see how many of MDM's portable garages are out there (you start to know your brand by sight after a while! Especially when compared to others!). It reinforced what we already knew - that we are providing an excellent, high quality product, and not a "cheap" or "throw-away" type of garage that someone can pick up at a box-type of store.

Anyway, it's getting to be Fall up here in the White Mountains of New Hampshire - the colors are starting to really turn! That means it's time to get those cars, RVs and campers under cover! We look forward to serving your portable garage needs soon! Remember to email us at: info@portablegaragesandshelters.com - And, if you'd like to chat with us, remember to give us a phone number where we can call you!

Cheers!

John & Kathy

Hi everyone! Welcome to Portable Garages and Shelters!

You might be wondering what is "blog-worthy" when it comes to Portable Garages and Shelters. We did too, until we discovered that when a company (like us!) puts out the message that we want to be "your source for portable garages..." and that we are thinking of you as our neighbor - that you want to know who your neighbors are! And it turns out that you have given us some great ideas for this site.

For example, wouldn't it be a great idea to show some pictures of how YOU have used your portable garage, or greenhouse, or party tent? So, with that in mind, we would love to hear from you! If you would like to send along a digital photo (in JPEG or GIF format, please) to us, along with a caption and statement that you are allowing us to use your photo on this website, we will be happy to consider it for inclusion in our Photo Gallery.

Send your photos to us here at info@portablegaragesandshelters.com! We look forward to hearing from you!

Cheers,

John & Kathy