Sgt. Tim Foster high fiving a young resident during the annual high school homecoming parade
The Foster family
Varya
Sergeant Tim Foster wasn’t looking to start a side business as he patrolled the town of Signal Mountain, doing his part to keep it safe. Named one of the safest places to live on Protect America’s list of Top 10 Burglary Safe Zones in Tennessee, this community can credit Sgt. Foster and the other officers for that. Perhaps he was checking the outskirts of a large building one night for suspicious activity, or maybe he thought he heard an unusual noise from the unadorned structure.
Either way, the plain white storage facility peaked his interest. Sgt. Foster tracked down the owner, which was difficult as there was no signage or address at the site.
After a few conversations, Sgt. Foster ended up with a five-year lease on the storage facility that needed a bit of refreshing. Excited about the possibilities, he set to work creating a logo and registering his new business, Foster Storage. Clearly proud of adding a storage facility in the community, Sgt. Foster boasts 20 storage units that vary in size from 5- by 30-feet to 5- by 10-feet and parking spaces, as well.
His Instagram account, Foster Storage, already had over 4,000 followers before the grand opening on April 1. Busy pressure washing and designing signage in preparation, Sgt. Foster has more plans for this property and will make sure it presents its best self to the community. He plans to do a good bit of painting and sprucing up over the summer, and will add security cameras, as well. You might think his dog, Varya, would take care of any security issues, but her bark is worse than her bite. A big sweetie, the Fosters never intended of adding a big dog to their family, only agreeing to “foster” the pit/lab mix. But they all feel in love with the dog that “temporarily” joined them a few years ago from McKamey. Historically, agencies don’t have good luck placing dogs with pit bull in them, so the Fosters feel even better about their loveable rescue that loves playing at Greenway Farms with other dogs. “She does not really like chasing the ball, but loves chasing the dog that’s chasing the ball!” Tim laughed.
His wife, Heather, is on board with the new venture, as are his children, Addison, a rising eight-grader at SMMHS, and Christopher Bryant, who works in logistics.
Foster Storage is easy to find at 1302 Taft Highway. You can admire the nice new sign that marks the spot, and be sure to shake the hand of the owner, Sgt. Tim Foster, and not just for leasing a storage unit.
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Ferris Robinson is the author of three children’s books, “The Queen Who Banished Bugs,” “The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds,” and “Call Me Arthropod” in her pollinator series “If Bugs Are Banished.” “Making Arrangements” is her first novel. “Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity” is a collection of true tales about man’s best friend. Her website is ferrisrobinson.com and you can download a free pollinator poster there. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.