Metro Detroit's car culture is driving the creation of the Woodward Warehouse in Royal Oak, a place for car enthusiasts and their cars to come together and more.
Woodward Warehouse, at 4260 Edgeland in Royal Oak near Coolidge and Normandy, is the brainchild of Joe and Blenda Polito, husband and wife car lovers turned entrepreneurs.
Their concept of offering car storage in "museum quality, heated, air conditioned, climate controlled" storage facility along with car care services and a social club is a local take on similar clubs on the east and west coasts, says Polito, a retired attorney who owns at least 11 classic cars.
The Warehouse, named after Woodward Avenue, a national historic scenic byway that's taken over annually each August by classic cars, opened June 23, "It's taken a lot of effort, time and money...we're starting to get some traction," he says.
Besides having 11,000 square feet of storage space for 45-55 vehicles to be stored under nearly 20 security cameras, Woodward Warehouse offers club membership that includes a 3,000-square-foot clubroom with a game room with regulation pool table and vintage pinball machine, a large screen TV, a kitchen, a an patio with grills, game a cigar smoking room, meeting rooms and conference rooms that can be rented. They are considering setting up a model train room.
Polito also has found reputable contractors to provide services such as detailing.
One thing that makes Woodward Warehouse different is getting access to cars anytime.
"It's a great place to spend time with like-minded people," he says, "people who love and know cars."
Source: Joe Polito, owner, Woodward Warehouse
Writer: Kim North Shine
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