On any given Saturday, hundreds of car enthusiasts are gathered around the city to show and share their prized wheeled possessions. These “cars and coffee” meetups aren’t new. In fact, Cincinnati enjoys a renowned reputation for its car appreciation culture, stemming from deep roots in automotive manufacturing.
Today, however, Cincinnati car culture is rapidly evolving with the rising demand for car clubs. These “country clubs for cars” offer collectors not just storage but also opportunities to engage in likeminded communities.
One such venue is Mota Social + Storage in Blue Ash, a 55-space warehouse that opened in 2022 and recently changed ownership. The pristine walls of this three-tired, 16,000-square-foot showroom boast everything from vintage Mercedes and classic American muscle cars to exotic Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Porches. Overlooking the warehouse is a stylish bar and lounge for members to meet, mingle, or even entertain.
For owner Dan Wiggins, Mota’s “white glove” approach makes it unique. The facility is not open to the public, and you won’t find its name plastered outside the building. The highly discreet, highly secure space is intentionally hidden in plain sight to offer members both privacy and accessibility. “Access is big for us,” says Wiggins. “Our customers’ most valuable asset is time.”
With 24 hours’ notice, cars members’ can be ready and waiting for pickup. Mota currently has a membership waitlist, but Wiggins says the company plans to expand. In the meantime, car enthusiasts can join its social membership, which provides access to the lounge and monthly events.
Dan Neyer, owner of Torque Motor Suites, offers a slightly different take on custom car storage. His new 30-unit facilities in Oakley and Blue Ash offer private, siloed storage spaces for cars and other toys such as boats, motorcycles, kayaks, and artwork, or even home office space.
The concept was birthed out of the pandemic, when people were craving “second places” to connect and entertain. Now the suites are starting to attract those looking for both storage and socializing—especially those right-sizing the footprint of their primary residences. “It’s really opened my eyes as far as what Torque can provide for the community,” says Neyer, president and CEO of Neyer Properties. “It’s what people want.”
Torque’s base suite models are approximately 30-by-40 feet plus a mezzanine and bathroom that start around $300,000. They come in finish-shell condition and can be combined together and customized with kitchens, bars, lifts, and other specialty finishes. Some owners even plan to add patios and outdoor entertainment space.
As of November, Torque Suites had pre-sold nearly half of its Oakley units and two-thirds of its Phase 1 units in Blue Ash. It appears that demand for car clubs is revving up in Cincinnati for the long haul.