Following up on a recent post about a new Starbucks location being constructed with shipping containers and other recycled materials, here is news of another type of retail location utilizing shipping containers — this time a temporary grocery store.

These shipping containers are a types of prefab buildings — albeit different from the prefabricated houses that we normally talk about on this blog — though we have discussed shipping containers used in homes on two different occasions — once with One Cool Habitat homes.

SmartPlanet.com discusses the Stockbox Grocers pop-up grocery store in recycled shipping containers concept in an article on their site:

“their pilot store, in the middle of a parking lot, carries food staples like bread, meat, dairy, grains, and pasta. This store will temporarily operate for the next 2 months as the owners look for a more permanent location to open next spring.”

FastCoexist.com goes into further detail:

“The advantage of shipping containers is that they are relatively cheap compared to bricks & mortar; they are flexible; and Stockbox can work on format designs off-site. The permanent stores will have a full HVAC system for heating and refrigeration, as well as enough water. “

It’s nice to see these shipping containers re-used! There is no shortage of them lying around unused.

Photo Credit: http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/cities/in-seattle-food-desert-pop-up-grocery-provides-an-oasis/960?tag=content;siu-container