RDS Real Estate, led by owner Ron Sturgeon, is set to open Boxes at Sublett, a retail center constructed from approximately 30 shipping containers, in summer 2026 at 5100 W. Sublett Road in South Arlington, Texas. The project aims to provide affordable retail spaces for micro-enterprises and hobbyists, addressing a gap in Tarrant County's market for extra-small commercial units.
Sturgeon, a longtime advocate for small businesses, drew on his own entrepreneurial journey to design the center. "I'm especially excited about Boxes at Sublett because it will bring extra-small retail spaces for micro-enterprises that are not available anywhere in Tarrant County to an innovative community like Arlington with its many attractions," he said. The use of shipping containers for retail development has gained traction in cities such as Nashville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, and Wesley Chapel, Florida.
This is not Sturgeon's first foray into container-based construction. His earlier project, Box Office Warehouse Suites in Fort Worth's Design District, utilized over 120 shipping containers. Another development, Mouser Self-Storage in Alvarado, offers affordable storage for vehicles and personal items. In 2022, Sturgeon built his own three-story home using shipping containers, featuring a temperature-controlled nine-car garage, a third-floor master suite, a pool, and a heated hot tub.
Boxes at Sublett will be situated adjacent to the Sublett Center, a traditional retail center also owned by RDS Real Estate, which is anchored by a Salon & Spa Galleria. The Salon & Spa Galleria model, like Boxes at Sublett, caters to small business owners by offering affordable luxury salon suites for independent beauty professionals.
Sturgeon expressed frustration with the lengthy approval process, which took four years due to what he described as excessive regulations. "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. Despite the delays, he remains optimistic about the center's impact on local small businesses.
Boxes at Sublett will feature small spaces designed for micro-businesses and hobbyists seeking a professional presence. For more information about leasing at Boxes at Sublett or other commercial properties for lease in the Fort Worth area, contact RDS Vice President Jim Eaton at (817) 439-3224.
