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SALT LAKE CITY — A new kind of business or office space is taking shape in the Salt Lake neighborhood known as the Granary District, the large city block bordered by 800 and 900 South and 300 and 400 West.
Downtown commercial space is pricey. But a couple of local entrepreneurs hope to help get your business going in a repurposed shipping container.
"We wanted to create a community space," said Tim Sullivan, standing in front of two large shipping containers near the corner of 400 West and 800 South. "This is kind of a worldwide trend — the reuse of shipping containers as buildings."
Sullivan and Little City co-founder Michael Yount are creating space that the neighborhood can enjoy and tenants can use to boost their business.
"People like the modularity of them, the mobility of them," said Sullivan. "They have a cool aesthetic."
They’re mobile, stackable and ready to be customized.
"Activate the space for a few years. You create some excitement. Maybe raise the property values," he said. "Maybe give some opportunities for some entrepreneurs."
Good opportunities for businesses or individuals who don’t need 1,000 square feet at a steep price.
"A small, affordable storefront that offers them a little more visibility than they would normally get," said Yount.
The containers are part of a pop-up project called FLEET, near the northwest corner of Fleet Block where the city has managed its fleet of vehicles in the past. Little City is creating space for a craft or artisan business ready to go to the next level.
"We’re providing something to the community that a typical developer wouldn’t do," said Yount.
So far, they’ve started to remodel the shipping container with drywall, insulation and electricity.
"In a few days, we will add storefront glass, and then we’ll paint it a graphic design," said Sullivan.
"It’s fresh, modern and new," said Yount. "But it’s at a size and affordability level that’s key for a lot of people."
On Saturday, Little City is hosting a FLEET kick-off at the corner of 400 West and 800 South. They’re opening a beer garden with local beer from noon to 8 p.m. and welcoming the community.
