Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
December 11, 2025
Arlington's Boxes at Sublett: Shipping Containers Transform into Affordable Micro-Business Hub
TLDR
- RDS Real Estate's Boxes at Sublett offers entrepreneurs affordable retail space using shipping containers, giving small businesses a cost advantage in Arlington's competitive market.
- Boxes at Sublett uses repurposed shipping containers to create 30 small retail units, following a proven model from previous developments to provide affordable commercial space.
- This project creates accessible retail opportunities for micro-businesses, supporting local entrepreneurship and making Arlington's economy more inclusive for small business owners.
- Ron Sturgeon built his own 3-story home from shipping containers, complete with a temperature-controlled 9-car garage and pool, before applying the concept to commercial developments.
Impact - Why it Matters
This development directly addresses the critical need for affordable commercial space, particularly for micro-enterprises and startups that often struggle with high overhead costs. By lowering the barrier to entry, it empowers local entrepreneurs—from hobbyists to small retailers—to establish a professional presence without the financial strain of traditional leases. In an economic climate where small businesses drive job creation and community vitality, projects like this foster innovation and diversity in local commerce. Moreover, it challenges restrictive municipal processes that can stifle growth, setting a precedent for more flexible, supportive urban development. For residents, it means access to unique, locally-owned services and a more vibrant neighborhood economy.
Summary
Ron Sturgeon, owner of RDS Real Estate, is championing small business growth in Arlington, Texas, with his innovative Boxes at Sublett development. This project, designed specifically for micro-enterprises, utilizes repurposed shipping containers to create affordable retail spaces—a concept gaining traction in cities like Nashville and Las Vegas. Located at 5100 W. Sublett Road, the center will feature approximately 30 containers offering professional spaces for small stores, offices, and hobbyists, addressing a critical gap in Tarrant County's market. Sturgeon's vision stems from his firsthand understanding of entrepreneurial struggles, having built his own business from the ground up.
Boxes at Sublett represents Sturgeon's continued commitment to innovative, eco-friendly development. His experience includes the successful Box Office Warehouse Suites in Fort Worth's Design District, built with over 120 containers, and the Mouser Self-Storage facility in Alvarado. This expertise even extended to his personal life when he constructed an energy-efficient, three-story home using shipping containers in 2022. The new retail center will neighbor the existing Sublett Center, another RDS property anchored by a Salon & Spa Galleria—a model similarly designed to support independent beauty and wellness professionals with affordable, luxurious suites.
Despite the project's promising concept, its journey to completion faced significant bureaucratic hurdles. Sturgeon, a vocal advocate for small businesses, criticized Arlington's restrictive codes and processes, which created a four-year delay filled with red tape. He emphasized how such barriers disproportionately affect entrepreneurs with limited resources. Nevertheless, the Grand Opening is now scheduled for Summer, marking a victory for small business accessibility. For those interested in this or other commercial property for lease opportunities, RDS Vice-President Jim Eaton serves as the primary contact, highlighting the company's broader portfolio of retail, office, and industrial spaces across Tarrant County.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Arlington's Boxes at Sublett: Shipping Containers Transform into Affordable Micro-Business Hub
