Making A Shipping Container Into An Office, Bar, Cafe Or Coffee Shop

You may have seen modified shipping containers when out and about before. They’re often used as temporary offices on building sites over the duration of a job. While it might seem like they are dingy and inhospitable, this couldn’t be further from the truth! Shipping containers designed for use as an office, bar or café are insulated, have functioning windows for light and airflow and can be fitted with gas, heat, electricity and water. If you’re curious about the advantages of a modified shipping container, read on!

Home offices 

Since the start of COVID-19, many of us have found ourselves working from home, and this promises to be an ongoing work arrangement. However, most of us aren’t properly set up to work from home and are often experiencing issues like poor lighting, working in ergonomically poor conditions (like the kitchen table), and being interrupted by cranky children or noisy pets.
 
A modified shipping container provides low-cost office space as compared to building a brick-and-mortar structure, which can be placed in your backyard for some separation from the home. You can have a kitchenette added for coffee breaks as well as heating, cooling, and plenty of power points for all your technical gadgets.
 
If you’re unsure that this will be a long-term working arrangement, then that shouldn’t deter you. Shipping containers can be resold easily if your circumstances change because they’re not permanently fixed structures. A quick search shows that there’s a large demand for second-hand shipping containers, so you won’t be stuck in the lurch!

Cafe/coffee shop

While some of us are still working from home, more people are getting out and about again. A modified shipping container-turned-café will help you to capitalise on the 'pop-up shop' culture that's booming at the moment. People are drawn to the idea of scarcity, and with a shipping container being portable, the idea that you could be here one day and gone the next will definitely draw in customers.
 
Shipping container cafés make the best use of seasonal locations like beachfront or tourist destinations. With a shipping container, you don't need to pay rent for 6 months when there are no customers. Simply disconnect from the amenities and store your container when not in use for a business savvy way to capitalise on seasonal sales.
 
You can place your container anywhere there are connection points, meaning you can collaborate with brands and businesses to build up each other's client bases. A bookshop with a small car park can host you, and both of your customers will reap the rewards of a bookshop café. 

Bar

When it comes to a successful bar, people want a quirky theme, and shipping containers definitely hit that mark. They’re new on the scene and people are curious what all the fuss is about, so they’re sure to come and check it out. A pop-up bar is great for a vineyard looking for a low-profile roadside attraction to drum up customers. Plus, with reinforced steel and secure doors, the shipping container  can be locked up securely to keep your expensive liquors safe. There is even the option to stack containers for an amazing, multi-level experience!
 
Now you know how a modified shipping container can provide you with an amazing new space for a fraction of the price of a traditional structure. If you’re convinced, or still have questions, East Coast Containers can help with all your shipping container needs. We’re a locally owned and operated shipping container specialist servicing the Brisbane and Gympie areas. Get in touch with us for a free quote today!