6 Innovative Ways Small Businesses Use Shipping Containers
- By Cory Levins
- 15 sept 2019
Shipping containers are everywhere in the world of freight and logistics, and they’re among the key shipping materials for businesses. But how often do people actually consider how much more these containers might be able to do? There are millions of them worldwide, so what amazing ideas could the innovators of the world come up to use containers to their full potential? As it turns out, many businesses–from food and beverage to art to fashion–are already working on making these dreams a reality.
Air Sea Containers is a premier source for used and new shipping containers, and we love to see what creative minds can do with these containers when they let their imaginations run wild. Here are six outside-the-box ways that small businesses have put shipping containers to work for themselves and their customers.
One of the most beloved new restaurants in the thriving dining scene of the Asheville, NC metro, Smoky Park Supper Club’s building is created from several shipping containers cut and welded together. Inside, the decor includes wall murals from local artists, and the large windows give diners abundant sunlight and a spectacular view of the French Broad River. The unconventional space (and of course, the great food) have drawn a crowd, and it’s now a hot destination for dining in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
This upscale Bay Area clothing retailer is known for its unconventionally designed spaces, but they’ve outdone themselves with their latest AETHERsf store. This store is created from three shipping containers stacked on top of each other and is custom-fabricated to include big windows, an oak-floored lounge area and other amenities befitting its chic clientele. Although the store is narrow, its high ceilings provide an airy and open feel—and it’s still probably wider than some stores in New York.
SOAK is another potential San Francisco shipping container gem—this time, a spa (for “Healthy Hedonists”) with all the self-care extras. SOAK bills itself as an unpretentious spa that’s committed to democratizing wellness and self-care, and its shipping container design is part of its disavowal of the New Age pretentiousness that characterizes some spa experiences. Although SOAK hasn’t yet opened its doors, it’s sure to be an exciting place for socialization and wellness when it does.
Most shipping containers spend a lot of time at sea, but the coastal Alabama seafood restaurant The Gulf parks them on the beach—where they’ve been turned into a classy seafood restaurant and bar. From oysters to tacos to classic fish sandwiches, The Gulf takes its shipping container space and uses it to serve top-quality food that locals and tourists alike love. The restaurant’s design strategy is part of its commitment to sustainability, which includes sourcing high-quality seafood and respecting its environment on the beautiful shores of Alabama.
The DIY feel of a shipping container lends itself well to arts and culture, and the pop-up art gallery space called Photoville has made it part of its signature style. This large photo exhibition space is fabricated from multiple repurposed shipping containers and is designed as a place for photographers of all ages and skill levels to mingle, show off their work, meet new collaborators and find inspiration. Now featuring locations in both Brooklyn and Los Angeles, Photoville has taken off and shows no signs of slowing down.
Wahaca is a well-known upscale restaurant group in London. In 2014, they opened a new mobile location that uses its shipping container design as part of an endeavor that’s part restaurant, part art project. The pop-up restaurant sets up in one location for 18 months, serves a different themed menu every month and then pulls up stakes and relocates to a different location with new menus. And with views of the iconic River Thames, an outdoor area and a full tequila bar, Wahaca is a genuinely fun spot to grab a bite, not just an interesting experiment.
It’s clear that shipping containers are surprisingly versatile materials, with a nearly unlimited range of possibilities for amazing transformations. But whether you need a container for a pop-up sneaker shop or something a little more traditional (like shipping goods), Air Sea Containers is your go-to source for great shipping containers at a great price. Call us at (866) 596-9448 to get started with a quote on a new or used shipping container, plus custom shipping boxes and a full selection of other top-quality shipping products.
Air Sea Containers is a premier source for used and new shipping containers, and we love to see what creative minds can do with these containers when they let their imaginations run wild. Here are six outside-the-box ways that small businesses have put shipping containers to work for themselves and their customers.
1. Smoky Park Supper Club
One of the most beloved new restaurants in the thriving dining scene of the Asheville, NC metro, Smoky Park Supper Club’s building is created from several shipping containers cut and welded together. Inside, the decor includes wall murals from local artists, and the large windows give diners abundant sunlight and a spectacular view of the French Broad River. The unconventional space (and of course, the great food) have drawn a crowd, and it’s now a hot destination for dining in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
2. AETHERsf
This upscale Bay Area clothing retailer is known for its unconventionally designed spaces, but they’ve outdone themselves with their latest AETHERsf store. This store is created from three shipping containers stacked on top of each other and is custom-fabricated to include big windows, an oak-floored lounge area and other amenities befitting its chic clientele. Although the store is narrow, its high ceilings provide an airy and open feel—and it’s still probably wider than some stores in New York.
3. SOAK
SOAK is another potential San Francisco shipping container gem—this time, a spa (for “Healthy Hedonists”) with all the self-care extras. SOAK bills itself as an unpretentious spa that’s committed to democratizing wellness and self-care, and its shipping container design is part of its disavowal of the New Age pretentiousness that characterizes some spa experiences. Although SOAK hasn’t yet opened its doors, it’s sure to be an exciting place for socialization and wellness when it does.
4. The Gulf
Most shipping containers spend a lot of time at sea, but the coastal Alabama seafood restaurant The Gulf parks them on the beach—where they’ve been turned into a classy seafood restaurant and bar. From oysters to tacos to classic fish sandwiches, The Gulf takes its shipping container space and uses it to serve top-quality food that locals and tourists alike love. The restaurant’s design strategy is part of its commitment to sustainability, which includes sourcing high-quality seafood and respecting its environment on the beautiful shores of Alabama.
5. Photoville
The DIY feel of a shipping container lends itself well to arts and culture, and the pop-up art gallery space called Photoville has made it part of its signature style. This large photo exhibition space is fabricated from multiple repurposed shipping containers and is designed as a place for photographers of all ages and skill levels to mingle, show off their work, meet new collaborators and find inspiration. Now featuring locations in both Brooklyn and Los Angeles, Photoville has taken off and shows no signs of slowing down.
6. Wahaca
Wahaca is a well-known upscale restaurant group in London. In 2014, they opened a new mobile location that uses its shipping container design as part of an endeavor that’s part restaurant, part art project. The pop-up restaurant sets up in one location for 18 months, serves a different themed menu every month and then pulls up stakes and relocates to a different location with new menus. And with views of the iconic River Thames, an outdoor area and a full tequila bar, Wahaca is a genuinely fun spot to grab a bite, not just an interesting experiment.
It’s clear that shipping containers are surprisingly versatile materials, with a nearly unlimited range of possibilities for amazing transformations. But whether you need a container for a pop-up sneaker shop or something a little more traditional (like shipping goods), Air Sea Containers is your go-to source for great shipping containers at a great price. Call us at (866) 596-9448 to get started with a quote on a new or used shipping container, plus custom shipping boxes and a full selection of other top-quality shipping products.
