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

Ron Sturgeon, owner of RDS Real Estate, is developing Boxes at Sublett, a retail center built from approximately 30 shipping containers scheduled to open in Summer 2026 at 5100 W. Sublett Road in South Arlington, Texas. The project is designed to address the financial challenges faced by small business owners by creating affordable retail spaces for micro-enterprises that are currently unavailable in Tarrant County.

The use of shipping containers for commercial development is an emerging trend that has been implemented in cities including Nashville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, and Wesley Chapel, Florida. Sturgeon has previous experience with container-based projects, having developed Box Office Warehouse Suites in the Fort Worth Design District using over 120 containers and Mouser Self-Storage in Alvarado. His personal experience includes constructing a three-story, energy-efficient home using shipping containers tied to a central steel superstructure in 2022.

Boxes at Sublett will be situated adjacent to Sublett Center, a traditional retail center also owned and operated by RDS Real Estate. Sublett Center is anchored by a Salon & Spa Galleria location, one of more than 22 such facilities in the greater Fort Worth area. The Salon & Spa Galleria model similarly targets small business owners by offering luxurious but affordable salon suites for independent beauty and wellness professionals.

Sturgeon expressed frustration with the development approval process, stating that Arlington's codes and procedures created significant barriers. "The current codes and processes are so restrictive that they can become a real barrier, especially for entrepreneurs who don't have the resources to invest so much time and money in a process with no guarantee of success," he said. The project required four years of delays and bureaucratic challenges before receiving all necessary approvals.

The development represents a growing movement toward adaptive reuse in commercial real estate, offering smaller, more affordable spaces that cater to emerging business models and hobbyists seeking professional environments. By providing spaces specifically designed for micro-stores, offices, and hobbyists, Boxes at Sublett addresses a gap in the Tarrant County commercial real estate market. The project's location in Arlington, a community known for its attractions, positions it to benefit from both local entrepreneurship and visitor traffic.

For those interested in commercial leasing opportunities in the region, RDS Real Estate maintains information about available properties at https://RDSRealEstate.com. The company specializes in retail, office, warehouse, industrial, and multi-use spaces throughout Tarrant County, with properties in Fort Worth, Haslet, Arlington, Kennedale, and Haltom City.