Our Story:
Five Star Equity uses each investment group’s buying power to curb risk. For every deal, we ensure oversight over the investment agreements and owner plans. In addition, each investor enjoys an expansive portfolio with personal investments spread across numerous and diverse properties.
It all began during the economic downturn of 2008 when the real estate industry was badly hit. Baruch Manies, Feivel Schwartz and Alex Hoffman, however, sensed opportunity. They searched for – and found- the perfect first acquisition: a promising storage facility in Ohio.
By the time Five Star Store It acquired their third purchase, the trio was called “golden” by their loan officer. The acquisitions never stopped during Five Star Store It’s fourteen year run as the trio built a portfolio of 41 facilities across 5 states. With refinancing, most of their facilities generated profits between 100% and 300%, with investors also receiving continuous quarterly distributions of between five and ten percent – even after repayment.
In April 2022, all but one of Five Star facilities were sold very profitably. To avoid taxes and with a high level of investor confidence, we began Five Star Equity Investments, a venture of Five Star’s founders to retain their investors’ gains through a 1031 real estate strategy. The goal: save Five Star Store It’s investors’ capital gains tax in a low-risk venture. As they say, this is just the beginning…
Our Managing Founders:
Baruch (“Bernard”) C. Manies
Founder & President
Baruch (“Bernard”) C. Manies co-founded Five Star Store It in 2009. He was primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of business operations at Five Star Store It and its affiliated management arm, as well as being on the forefront of planning future potential acquisitions and expansions. Baruch currently owns the franchise ClimbZone and its 5 locations. He also co-founded United Refuah HealthShare as the first and only Jewish nonprofit health sharing organization.
Alex Hoffman
Managing Partner CFO Investments
Alex Hoffman co-founded Five Star Store It in 2009. He was primarily involved in investor syndication and raising capital. He assembled investors both from a tightly-knit group of friends and family, as well as from venture capitalists. Alex and his family have been involved in real estate investments for over thirty years. Prior to their involvement with Five Star Store It, they invested in elder care facilities and multi-family developments. Alex co-founded United Refuah HealthShare with Baruch.
Feivel (“Fred”) Schwartz, Esq.
Managing Partner/General Counsel
Feivel (“Fred”) Schwartz co-founded Five Star Store It in 2009. He was general counsel and was directly responsible for negotiating, drafting and/or reviewing contracts, negotiations with and selection of lenders, loan agreements, investor agreements, liens and mortgages, etc. Feivel is also founder of The Schwartz Law Firm, a private legal practice, where he has spent many years focusing on all aspects of commercial real estate transactions and the general practice of law.