Who Is Antelope Valley Van & Storage?
Bill and Francis Schafer moved from Oklahoma to Southern California after graduating from college. Mr. Schafer worked with Howard Hughes on the largest amphibious airplane “Hercules aka. The Spruce Goose.” Shortly after, Bill and Francis decided to move to the Antelope Valley to start a cattle ranch. A few years later he purchased the Antelope Valley Refrigerating Company in 1947. The company took care of all the ice and cold storage for the entire Antelope Valley. In approximately 1953, the refrigerator came out for the average home and the writing was on the wall for a large ice warehouse! However, cold storage existed up until the early 1980s. No longer needing such a large warehouse for an ice refrigeration plant, the Schafer’s decided to turn the ice plant to a moving storage company. Towards the end of 1953, Antelope Valley Van and Storage an agent for BEKINS Van Lines was ready for business.
The Schafer’s had 3 children all boys. Their middle son Michael G Schafer took an interest in the company at an early age. After graduating from college at San Diego State University in 1971, he bought the business from his parents. Mike and Kathryn had 3 children, 1 girl and 2 boys. Not only did Mike Schafer have a very successful moving company, but he was also very active in the community. One of the founders of the Antelope Valley Bank, on the board of directors for the AV Hospital, started the 1st Ducks Unlimited event in the AV to name a few. Both his sons also took an interest to the family business as well.
Shortly after graduating from Northern Arizona University, in 1999 Michael Schafer Jr came to the family business working full time. Approximately 5 years later Tyson Schafer, graduating from Chico State University came aboard. They all worked in the 3-generation business for many years. From moving household goods, relocating Lockheed Martin from Burbank CA. to Palmdale CA, moving over a million plus parts for aircraft from one hanger to another and Boeing airplane wings from Palmdale CA to Long Beach CA, the sky was the limit!
In 2021, the brothers, Michael and Tyson bought the family business. With Antelope Valley Van and Storage an Agent for BEKINS being the last major moving company in the valley, the future looks bright for the boys. Michael’s daughter Madison Schafer works for the company when not attending college or a golf tournament which could be considered a 4th Generation Family Business…….
