spaceishare

Toronto startup wants to solve city's parking lot woes

If you've ever tried to find a parking spot in Toronto, you know the struggle is real. That's why one startup is trying to make it easier for drivers to find places to leave their cars.

SpaceiShare Inc., a local company founded by Sarah Selhi, Karen Wang and France Brunelle, aims to "connect people who need space to those who have space." And that's not limited to empty parking spots. The service, for instance, can help bring together those with empty basements and individuals who are in desperate need of storage space.

“We were inspired by my aunt who had been storing about $4,000 worth of belongings in a space that cost her $12,000 a year,” said SpaceiShare CEO Sarah Selhi in a news release.

“It clicked: there are people who have space they don’t use and people who need space they don’t have. Storage facilities are expensive and often inconvenient, so sharing one’s space—and earning income for doing so—just makes sense.”

After the city announced it'd be closing the Wilson Station parking lot, SpacieShare went out into the surrounding North York neighbourhood and encouraged people with driveways and parking pads to rent out space for commuters, as City News reports.

The SpaceiShare team also distributed flyers throughout the soon-to-close lot.

Of course, SpaceiShare isn't the first startup connecting drivers with parking spots. Rover, which launched in 2015, serves a similar function and works like the Airbnb of parking spaces.

Lead photo by

Marcanadian


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