BORN FROM A PAIR OF CAR COLLECTORS’ ADORATION FOR ALL THINGS AUTOMOTIVE, A MONMOUTH COUNTY AUTO STORAGE FACILITY SETS THE PLATINUM STANDARD IN CAR CARE

BY ERIK SCHONING • PHOTOS BY ALEX BARRETO

Every successful business idea solves a problem. For Dave Greene and Frank Aresta, the puzzle was simple: too many cars and too little space. Avid car lovers their entire lives, the duo launched Auto Vault of New Jersey, a state-of-the-art storage facility in Marlboro that adds a touch of white glove to the garage experience. “We did not invent the wheel,” said Greene. “There are plenty of storage facilities. We just molded the wheel in our own personal way. To be completely honest, we did it to help ourselves first. We needed somewhere to keep our cars. Then we realized there were other people in the same situation. It’s your car that you’re proud of we know how that feels. It’s your pride and joy. We started a business that would not only enable us to have an outlet for our hobby but entertain and offer the same to other car guys as well.” Since its grand opening in May 2021, Auto Vault of NJ has filled up with all types of head-turning machines: exotics, classics, muscle cars, speedsters, SUVs, even family heirlooms. Members can leave their vehicles in the Vault a climate and humidity-controlled, dust-free environment for short-term or long-term storage, and 24/7 security ensures clients’ precious toys are cared for and secure.

Members are also granted full access to the lounge, a stylish space designed to make guests feel at home. There’s a billiards area, large TV screens, a self-service beverage center, personal lockers, a card room, and even an office area.

There is no shortage of garages in the Garden State, but what makes Auto Vault of NJ special is two-fold: the cleanliness and concierge service, plus its growing community of car obsessives. As car enthusiasts themselves, the owners go the extra mile on care, using trickle chargers, checking under the hood, starting the cars weekly, and maintaining a climate-controlled facility to keep every vehicle spot-free and in excellent condition. Members are encouraged to stop in anytime to check up on and admire their prized four-wheel possessions.

For many, the point of collecting is to show off that collection, and Auto Vault gives its members the perfect opportunity to bond over a shared love of everything vehicular. In the upstairs customer lounge, members can wait to pick up their vehicles in comfort. Big windows overlook the storage floor, filled with what Greene calls “automotive jewelry.” The Vault has also drawn the regional car community, attracting collectors of all stripes.

“We’ve hosted groups like Italian Cars N Cannoli, Corvettes on Patrol, and Central Jersey Cars and Coffee, to name a few,” said Aresta. “We’ve had several groups come here, love the place, and want to utilize it for their events. We’re working on continuing to host events in our local area. We believe that it’s creating a community of car people.”

Aresta and Greene know that to a collector, a car’s true value has nothing to do with dollar signs and everything to do with the intangibles: nostalgia, fond memories, sentimental value.

Auto Vault is home to several top-shelf exotics but there are plenty of older, more obscure cars too, treasures that mean the world to their owners. What every car at the facility has in common isn’t a certain make, model, or style, but the simple fact that somebody out there cherishes it.

“We have a client whose passion is this car that he had when he was in high school,” Aresta said. “And you may be surprised to hear that the car is probably worth less than it costs to keep it here. It’s his love. He wants to take care of it and make sure that it’s safe in our facility. Our members have an emotional attachment to these vehicles. They’re part of their family, and because they feel that way, they keep them here so they are well cared for.”

Looking ahead, the owners plan to expand their space and accept new members on a rolling basis, depending on availability. They see Auto Vault of NJ as a scalable concept: if it works in Monmouth County, why not Middlesex or Ocean? Ultimately the concept taps into a network of car enthusiasts who are everywhere, with garages full of gems, active in a community that is being built around their love of cars. At Auto Vault of NJ, even when a car’s not being driven, you can guarantee that it’s being appreciated.

Today, anyone that visits Auto Vault of NJ might feel as if they’re in a museum. The cars are always changing, but on any given day one might see a ‘69 Camaro, 2021 Ferrari, a classic Porsche, or a well-loved Land Rover. But no matter the day, there are two mainstays: Aresta’s 1988 Chrysler Conquest, identical to the first car he bought at seventeen, and a bright orange 2020 Corvette C8 that Greene just “had to have.”

“I’m more of a modern speedster kind of guy,” said Greene. “Whereas Frank is more of an old school…classic kind of guy.”

“I was wondering how you were going to put it,” Aresta said, laughing.

These guys might differ in taste, but they perfectly align in one key area: if you love cars, you belong at Auto Vault of NJ.

Auto Vault of New Jersey
211 Commercial Court, Morganville / autovaultnj.com