Due to high construction costs and new innovations in architecture, an increasing number of companies today are turning to non-traditional facilities to house their business operations. Shipping containers, in particular, can be very utilitarian and cost-effective.
That’s right, those huge metal boxes used to transport cargo overseas can be used to host businesses of all varieties, all over the country. They’re economical, eco-friendly, durable, and, above all, portable.
But what kind of a container business can you start? Keep reading to explore 10 innovative shipping container business ideas.
1. Mobile Restaurant
Shipping containers give restaurants something they never had before: a building that can move. When starting a new restaurant, you have to find a new location and then invest thousands of dollars in renovating the space and customizing the kitchen for your specific menu.
But when you have a portable shipping container restaurant, you have far more options. You can use your mobile restaurant for seasonal offerings, renovating existing restaurants, testing new locations, project-based contracts, and so much more.
2. Pop-up Shop
Another cool idea for starting a business in a shipping container is to use it as a unique pop-up shop. Many business owners are now setting up their mobile retail stores in this way. It’s a cost-effective way of showcasing your items in busy metropolitan areas.
For instance, if you have an online shop where you sell beautiful handmade arts and crafts, you can explore storage container business ideas to expand to a brick and mortar space for all your wonderful products. Pop-up shops are especially popular for short term and seasonal business.
3. Community Development
Municipal governments are always looking for ways to help their local economies thrive. Building up local businesses and communal space in their neighbourhoods is a great way to grow a community while also helping the local economy. And because shipping containers provide an inexpensive and creative way to quickly establish local business hotspots, this is another great idea for doing business in a shipping container.
One great example of shipping containers and community development in action is iVillage @MLK. The 6,500-square-foot iVillage is made of repurposed shipping containers and can house up to 10 tenants.
4. Yoga Studio
With yoga becoming more popular than ever before, an increasing number of people are taking to their mats to contort their bodies in unimaginable ways. If you are a yoga instructor, you can easily use a shipping container to create a unique yoga studio.
Typically, yoga spaces are costly to rent and they’re also quite generic. Using a shipping business container as your yoga studio will help you stand out from the competition.
5. Container Farm
Municipal governments are always looking for ways to help their local economies thrive. Building up local businesses and communal space in their neighbourhoods is a great way to grow a community while also helping the local economy. And because shipping containers provide an inexpensive and creative way to quickly establish local business hotspots, this is another great idea for doing business in a shipping container.
One great example of shipping containers and community development in action is iVillage @MLK. The 6,500-square-foot iVillage is made of repurposed shipping containers and can house up to 10 tenants.
6. Coffee House
One of the most important aspects of any coffee shop is the ambiance it provides. A repurposed shipping container coffee house provides a sought-after creative and environmentally conscious atmosphere, two common values of many independent coffee shops we know and love.
For coffee business storage containers, the benefits are similar to those of pop-up shops and restaurants. Local coffee roasters using shipping containers gain a versatile and inexpensive building option that stands out from their competitors.
7. Office Space
Office space is insanely expensive these days. If you can’t afford an expensive workplace, try setting up your office in a shipping container. Not only is it a cost-effective solution, but if you are a business that prides itself in minimizing waste, it may be more in line with your brand.
A chic shipping container may speak to your customers more than the fancy top floor of a corporate building. Alternatively, you can also simply use your shipping container office as an office and a storage facility to run an online store.
8. Event Venue
You can also use a shipping container as a space that customers can rent out for small dinners, parties, or events. For example, aspiring musicians can hire your space to host concerts on the move.
Similarly, many big brands might be interested in renting your unique space for product launches and campaigns. Shipping containers can provide a turnkey, mobile solution for brands executing product launch and sampling tours.
9. Bar or Distillery
Shipping containers are just the right size for a bar. This gives you the opportunity to build a small and intimate setting indoors and a more open outdoor area as well.
You can even distill your own drinks in the space to create a unique feel and menu.
Read more about starting your own shipping container bar.
10. Hotel
If you’re interested in combining aesthetically pleasing design with eco-friendly living, a shipping container hotel may be the creative business idea you’ve been looking for. Shipping containers act as the perfect blank slate for stunningly unique architectural design. Whether you want to start an industrial themed hotel, an artistic and inspirational living space, or a sustainable and solar powered hostel, using shipping containers as your foundation is a great first step.
There you have it: 10 interesting shipping container business ideas to try in 2023. Almost anyone can take advantage of container business opportunities as they are an affordable and unique option to put your products or services in front of the audience.
Ready to do something amazing with shipping containers? At BMarko Structures, we create custom shipping containers that become functional and attractive commercial buildings.
We can help bring your container business ideas to life. For innovative custom designs that expand the possibility of what modular means, make BMarko your partner. Contact us today for a free quote!
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