Shipping Container Cafes & Coffee Shops
A shipping container coffee shop, also known as a container cafe, is a repurposed shipping container transformed into a fully functional café. These unique structures combine modern design with practicality, offering a trendy and eco-friendly alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar establishments.
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What is a Shipping Container Coffee Shop?
A shipping container coffee shop, also known as a container cafe, is a repurposed shipping container transformed into a fully functional café. These unique structures combine modern design with practicality, offering a trendy and eco-friendly alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar establishments.
Benefits of a Container Cafe
Choosing a shipping container cafe from BMarko Structures offers numerous advantages, from sustainability to speed. Here’s why our container cafes are the perfect solution for your business:
Innovative Design and Customization
Our shipping container cafes are fully customizable, allowing you to create a space that reflects your brand's personality and vision. From sleek, modern aesthetics to rustic, charming designs, we bring your dream café to life.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly
By repurposing shipping containers, we reduce waste and promote eco-friendly building practices. Each café is energy-efficient, using sustainable materials and technologies to minimize environmental impact.
Faster Construction Times
Our modular construction process significantly reduces build time compared to traditional brick-and-mortar methods. Since much of the construction is completed off-site in a controlled environment, we can avoid delays caused by weather and other on-site issues. This means you can start serving customers and generating revenue sooner.
Mobility and Versatility
Easily transportable, our container coffee shops can be relocated to different venues or events, giving you the flexibility to reach new customers and explore different markets. This advantage can save your business if you didn’t initially pick an ideal location or if the mix of consumers in your area changes.
Overcoming Traditional Restaurant Challenges
A study by Ohio State University revealed that 60 percent of restaurants fail in their first year of existence and 80 percent fail within five years. Overcome common pitfalls such as poor location, high initial investment, and overspending by choosing a shipping container cafe. With the ability to move locations and lower customization costs, your business has a greater chance of success.
Enhanced Security and Durability
Shipping containers are constructed from corrugated steel, making them highly secure and resistant to break-ins and weather conditions. This durability ensures that your investment is protected and your business can operate smoothly in various environments.
What Modifications are Possible for a Storage Container Workshop?
One of the key advantages of a shipping container coffee shop is the extensive range of modifications available to tailor the space to your specific needs. At BMarko Structures, we specialize in transforming basic containers into fully functional, aesthetically pleasing cafes. Here are some of the modifications you can incorporate into your prefabricated coffee shop.
Concession Windows
Concession windows are perfect for serving customers quickly and efficiently. These can be customized in size and placement to suit your service style, whether you prefer a traditional counter or a modern sliding window.
Drive-ThruWindows
For a more dynamic and customer-friendly service option, drive-through windows are a great addition. These windows can be designed to enhance the flow of your operations and cater to customers on the go, making your coffee shop even more versatile.
Rooftop Decks
Maximize your space by adding a rooftop deck. This modification provides additional seating, creating a unique and enjoyable environment for your customers. It's perfect for outdoor events, offering a great view and an appealing atmosphere.
HVAC Systems
Ensure the comfort of your customers and staff with a high-quality HVAC system. Proper heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are essential for maintaining a pleasant environment, regardless of the weather outside.
Lighting
Effective lighting is crucial for creating the right ambiance in your café. From natural lighting solutions, like skylights and large windows, to customizable LED lighting, we can help you set the perfect mood for your space.
Kitchen and Service Areas
We can design and install fully equipped kitchen areas tailored to your menu and service needs. This includes counters, sinks, storage units, and all necessary appliances, ensuring a seamless workflow in your café.
Signage
Custom signage is essential for brand visibility and customer attraction. Whether you need illuminated signs, logo displays, or menu boards, we can integrate eye-catching signage into your container cafe’s design.
Interior and Exterior Finishes
Choose from a variety of finishes to match your brand’s aesthetic. Options include high-quality paint, cladding, wood paneling, and more. These finishes not only enhance the look of your café but also add to its durability.
Shipping Container Coffee House Sizing Options
When it comes to choosing the size of your shipping container coffee house, BMarko Structures offers a variety of options to fit your specific needs and space requirements. Our containers range from compact setups to expansive multi-container configurations, ensuring we can accommodate any business model. Here are the available sizing options:
- 10 ft Containers The 10 ft container is ideal for small, space-limited locations or pop-up events. This compact option is perfect for serving a limited menu or as an add-on to an existing business. It provides a cozy, intimate environment for customers while being highly portable and easy to set up.
- 20 ft Containers A 20 ft container offers more space and flexibility, suitable for a standalone coffee shop or an extension of a mobile business. This size allows for a more extensive menu and additional seating, making it a popular choice for many entrepreneurs. It strikes a balance between portability and functionality.
- 40 ft Containers For those looking to create a full-scale coffee shop, a 40 ft container provides ample space for kitchen equipment, seating areas, and storage. This larger container can accommodate a more extensive customer base and offer a wider range of services, making it ideal for high-traffic locations.
- High Cube Options (20 ft and 40 ft) High cube containers are one foot taller than standard containers, offering extra vertical space. This additional height is perfect for incorporating loft areas, additional storage, or creating a more spacious feel inside your coffee shop. High cube containers are available in both 20 ft and 40 ft lengths, providing flexibility for your design needs.
- Double-Wide Configurations By placing two containers side by side and removing the interior walls, you can create a double-wide configuration. This setup significantly increases the usable interior space, allowing for more extensive kitchen areas, additional seating, and enhanced customer flow. Double-wide configurations are ideal for larger establishments or those planning to host events and gatherings.
- Multi-Container Configurations For the ultimate in customization and space, multi-container configurations combine several containers into a cohesive unit. These setups can include multiple levels, interconnected spaces, and various functional areas, such as dedicated kitchen, dining, and lounge zones. Multi-container configurations offer endless possibilities for creating a unique and versatile coffee shop experience.
At BMarko Structures, we understand that each business has unique needs, which is why we offer a range of sizing options and configurations. Whether you need a small, portable café or a large, multi-functional coffee house, our team can help you design the perfect shipping container solution.
Shipping Container Café Floor Plans
Since we focus on 100% custom builds, our floor plans are entirely based on your specifications. We work from your plans to create a layout that maximizes space and functionality, tailored to your unique business model. Our expertise ensures that every square foot is utilized efficiently, providing a practical and stylish environment for your customers.
Value & Cost of Portable Coffee Shops, Coffee Houses & Cafés
Our prefabricated coffee shops offer a high return on investment due to lower construction costs and faster time to market.
Factors Influencing Cost:
- Number of shipping containers used
- Level of customization
- Location to ship
- Amount of preconstruction needed
Shipping containers are considered new or retired. New containers were used to ship goods across the ocean just once, whereas retired containers made multiple trips on the open water. Since they have less wear and tear, new containers generally cost more than retired containers. As a general rule, you can expect to pay as little as $1,600 for a retired shipping container and up to $5,000 for a new one. At BMarko Structures, we only build with “one-trip” or new containers to ensure the highest quality for your coffee shop.
Shipping Container Cafe FAQs
The timeline varies depending on the level of customization, but most projects are completed within 8-12 weeks. One of the main benefits of modular construction is its efficiency. While your shipping container coffee shop is being manufactured off-site in a controlled environment, you can simultaneously prepare the final site. This parallel process significantly reduces the overall build time compared to traditional construction methods, which often require site preparation before any building can commence. By the time the container is ready, your site will be prepped and waiting, allowing for a swift installation and faster opening of your business.
Absolutely! At BMarko Structures, customization is at the heart of what we do. While we don’t have an internal design team, our preconstruction experts work closely with you and your chosen local architecture firm to ensure your vision comes to life. You can bring us your detailed architectural plans or a simple concept, and we will transform it into a fully functional, aesthetically pleasing coffee shop.
Our team will guide you through the possibilities, advising on the most efficient use of space, optimal placement of key features like concession windows, drive-through windows, and seating areas, as well as the integration of essential systems such as HVAC, lighting, and plumbing. Whether you need a compact layout for a small footprint or a spacious, multi-container configuration, we ensure that every detail aligns with your business needs and operational workflow. Your input is crucial throughout the process, and we make sure that the final product not only meets but exceeds your expectations.
Yes, they are built to withstand various weather conditions and are incredibly durable, ensuring longevity for your business. Shipping containers are constructed from high-strength steel, making them secure and robust.
The initial cost of a prefabricated coffee shop from BMarko Structures is on the higher end of the price scale due to the superior quality of our construction and materials. However, the long-term maintenance costs are relatively low. Shipping containers are designed to be durable and low-maintenance, requiring minimal upkeep to stay in excellent condition. Routine maintenance includes regular inspections, painting to prevent rust, and servicing HVAC systems.
Yes, one of the main benefits of a shipping container coffee house is its mobility. These structures are designed to be easily transported, making it possible to relocate your coffee shop as needed. To move a shipping container cafe, a crane is typically required to lift and place the container onto a flatbed truck. The flatbed truck then transports the container to the new location, where another crane is used to unload and position it. This process allows you to take advantage of different markets, seasonal events, or better locations, ensuring your business remains flexible and adaptable to changing conditions.
We offer a variety of sizes, including 10 ft, 20 ft, and 40 ft containers, as well as high cube options (20 ft and 40 ft), double-wide, and multi-container configurations to meet your space and operational needs.
Yes, using repurposed shipping containers is an eco-friendly choice. It reduces waste and utilizes existing materials. Additionally, our construction process often includes sustainable practices and materials.
To get started with designing your container cafe, we recommend partnering with a local architecture firm that can draw up designs adhering to your municipality’s building codes. While BMarko Structures does not have an internal design team, we excel in preconstruction once we have the architectural drawings. Our experts will guide you through what’s possible, most efficient, and cost-effective, ensuring your vision comes to life smoothly and successfully.
Permitting requirements vary by location. Our team can help guide you through the process to ensure your shipping container cafe complies with all local building codes and regulations.
Brew Success with Custom Shipping Container Cafes from BMarko Structures
Transform your coffee business with BMarko Structures’ custom shipping container cafes.With extensive customization options, rapid construction times, and the ability to relocate your business as needed, our shipping container cafes offer unparalleled advantages over traditional brick-and-mortar setups.
Whether you’re starting a new venture or expanding an existing one, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process, from initial concept to final installation.
Contact us today to start your journey towards a cutting-edge, eco-friendly, and versatile coffee shop.
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- 2624 Weaver Way, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30340
- (678) 666-3688
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