Teen Turns Abandoned Storage Units Into Lucrative Business

Michael Haskell, 17, uses AI and tech to uncover valuable items in discarded storage lockers across New York City

Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:30am

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Michael Haskell, a 17-year-old New Jersey high school senior, has turned buying and reselling the contents of abandoned storage units into a lucrative side business. Using AI-powered tools like Google Lens and a custom ChatGPT program, Haskell is able to quickly identify and sell valuable items, including artwork, collectibles, and personal memorabilia, for substantial profits on eBay. His largest find was a Brooklyn unit that contained works by artists like Man Ray and Walt Kuhn, which later sold for nearly $50,000 at auction.

Why it matters

Haskell's story highlights how emerging technologies can enable enterprising young people to turn unconventional hobbies into profitable ventures. His ability to leverage AI and automation to uncover hidden value in discarded items also speaks to the growing importance of data-driven approaches in the world of resale and collectibles.

The details

Haskell, who pulls in over $7,000 a month from his storage unit business, has amassed a mini-warehouse of cataloged collectibles in his mom's garage. He photographs items and uses Google Lens to get a ballpark value, and has developed a ChatGPT-based program that cross-checks the names of abandoned unit owners against news articles to surface lockers that may contain valuable memorabilia. Beyond the numbers and tech, Haskell has also uncovered poignant human stories, like a socialite's life in freefall and a pioneering Black mayor's family history.

  • Haskell, a 17-year-old high school senior, has been running his storage unit business for several years.
  • In one of his biggest finds, Haskell purchased a Brooklyn storage unit for $450 that had belonged to 1980s art dealer Andrew Crispo, and it contained works by artists like Man Ray and Walt Kuhn that later sold for almost $50,000 at auction.

The players

Michael Haskell

A 17-year-old high school senior in New Jersey who has turned buying and reselling the contents of abandoned storage units into a lucrative side business, using AI-powered tools to quickly identify and sell valuable items.

Andrew Crispo

A 1980s art dealer whose abandoned storage unit in Brooklyn, purchased by Haskell for $450, contained valuable works by artists like Man Ray and Walt Kuhn that later sold for almost $50,000 at auction.

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What they’re saying

“They're Qing, not Ming. Ming vases are the ones you want.”

— Michael Haskell, 17-year-old entrepreneur

The takeaway

Haskell's story demonstrates how emerging technologies like AI and automation can enable young, enterprising individuals to turn unconventional hobbies into profitable ventures. His ability to uncover hidden value in discarded items speaks to the growing importance of data-driven approaches in the world of resale and collectibles.