10 New Small Businesses To Open In Shipping Containers In Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ — The Churchill shopping and restaurant development expected to open later this summer in Phoenix will be made entirely of repurposed shipping containers. The two entrepreneurs behind the project think it will add a cool factor to downtown Phoenix.

The development on a 14,000 square-foot near the corner of First Street and Garfield will house 10 shops, restaurants and breweries that will operate directly out of the shipping containers, according to a report by television station KNXV.

Shipping container construction is a growing trend in urban development. They’re the ultimate in recycling and repurposing, are in ready supply and are virtually rust- and leak-proof because they’re designed to withstand salt air. These “building blocks” have been used in everything from luxury residences to moveable cafes to skyscrapers.

Kell Duncan and his business partner Hartley Rodie handpicked the businesses for their shipping container development, which set back the opening. Duncan, who told KNXV that he wants to “make downtown Phoenix a cool space for people to come and hang out,” said slowing down the project paid off.

“My partner and I really believe in downtown Phoenix and the growth that it’s seeing,” Rodie told the television station. (Get Phoenix Patch's real-time news alerts and free morning news letters. Like us on Facebook. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app.)

Duncan and Rodie bring different but complementary backgrounds to the shipping container project. Rodie is the managing partner at Gringo-Star Street Bar in Tempe and co-founder of Plus-One Productions. Duncan once worked for the home construction company Lennar, and his family owns Duncan Family Farms.

All 10 local business spaces are leased now to the following:

RESTAURANTS

Breadwinner: A restaurant from the Culinary Mafia Group, which runs Evo in Scottsdale

Provecho: The flavors of central Mexico are featured

Foxy Fruit: Acai bowls and smoothies provide healthy options

Freak Brothers Pizza: First brick-and-mortar location for he popular food truck

BREWERY/COCKTAIL BAR

Pedal Haus Brewery: A satellite of brewpub in Tempe

Pobrecito: Cocktail Bar from Barter & Shake, which runs Undertow and Counter Intuitive bars.

SHOPS

Savage: Wine shop, with prices affordable and up

Gather: Boutique selling home and lifestyle wares

State Forty Eight: Specialty store selling Arizona-centric sports apparel

Cosas: Handmade items from Mexico are featured

The shipping containers will be stacked around a 7,500-square-foot courtyard, and tables and chairs, trees, and an extensive overhead cooling system are intended to invite people to stop and linger.

Rodie said he and Duncan are “just giddy” over the prospects for The Churchill.

“We are just really excited to share this with people, and we think that it’s going to be something really unique and special,” he told KNXV.

Infinitum Produx