Shipping Container Retail Center to Provide Affordable Space for Micro-Businesses in Arlington

Ron Sturgeon, owner of RDS Real Estate, has announced the upcoming opening of Boxes at Sublett, a retail center constructed from shipping containers that will provide affordable space for micro-businesses in South Arlington, Texas. The development, scheduled to open in summer 2026, addresses the significant challenges small business owners face when launching new ventures by offering extra-small retail spaces not currently available in Tarrant County. Sturgeon, drawing from his own entrepreneurial experience and conversations with small business owners, designed the project specifically to support micro-enterprises that struggle to find appropriate commercial space.

The Boxes at Sublett development will consist of approximately 30 shipping containers and is located at 5100 W. Sublett Road, adjacent to the existing Sublett Center retail property also owned by RDS Real Estate. This location places the new center next to one of the more than 22 Salon & Spa Gallerias located throughout the greater Fort Worth area, another business model designed to support small business owners by offering affordable, luxurious salon suites for independent beauty and wellness professionals. The use of shipping containers represents an innovative approach to commercial development that has gained popularity in other cities including Nashville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, and Wesley Chapel, Florida.

Sturgeon's experience with shipping container construction extends beyond this project, including his first such development, Box Office Warehouse Suites in the Fort Worth Design District, which utilized more than 120 containers. He also developed Mouser Self-Storage in Alvarado for affordable storage solutions and even constructed his own energy-efficient home using shipping containers in 2022. Despite his extensive experience, Sturgeon faced significant bureaucratic challenges with the Boxes at Sublett project, noting that the approval process took four years due to what he described as unreasonable city requirements and restrictive codes that create barriers for entrepreneurs without substantial resources.

The development's importance lies in its potential to foster economic growth by providing accessible commercial space for the smallest businesses, hobbyists, and entrepreneurs who typically face the greatest challenges in securing affordable retail locations. By creating specialized spaces for micro-enterprises, Boxes at Sublett could stimulate local entrepreneurship and contribute to the diversification of Arlington's retail landscape. The project represents a practical solution to the ongoing struggle small business owners face in finding appropriate commercial space while also introducing innovative construction methods to the local market. For more information about commercial properties in the area, visit https://RDSRealEstate.com.