Custom container builds

Custom Shipping Container Bars, Cafés & Shops

Turn your space into a destination.

Create a coffee shop that anchors a courtyard, a bar that brings a terrace to life or a retail space that gives customers a reason to explore.

The Hudson Trailer Company transforms shipping containers into custom commercial spaces, combining an inviting exterior with a layout designed around your business.

From the first service window to the finishing details, we build around what you want to offer—and how you want people to experience it.

Projects start at $95,000, before equipment and design.

A white shipping container café with its awning out and pastry case in the window

Give your property a new gathering place.

A container café or bar can become a focal point for a hotel, venue, retail destination or outdoor hospitality space.

Its distinctive structure provides a starting point for something personal: an open serving area, a branded storefront or a compact kitchen that supports the activity around it.

Keep the industrial character or choose colors, materials and finishes that connect the build to its surroundings. The result should feel like it belongs to your business and your location.

What will yours become?

A shipping container café

Create a dedicated coffee destination with equipment, counters and storage arranged around your menu and service.

A container bar or beer garden

Bring beverage service closer to guests with a custom bar designed for your property, event space or hospitality concept.

A commercial kitchen

Plan cooking equipment, refrigeration, preparation space and service access around the food you want to serve.

A retail or brand experience

Use display space, lighting and custom branding to create a boutique, pop-up shop or promotional destination.

Thoughtful inside. Distinctive outside.

The exterior draws people in. The interior needs to support the team working behind it.

We plan the layout around your equipment, storage, preparation and customer service needs. Windows, openings, counters and finishes are considered together, so the design works as a complete space.

Depending on the project, we may recommend an existing shipping container or a custom-built corrugated steel structure. The choice follows the design, structural requirements and intended use.

See the idea take shape.

CAD drawings and 3D renderings help you understand the proposed layout and appearance before construction.

We use the design process to work through equipment placement, service openings and the details that give the build its identity. Your site’s access, utility connections and installation requirements also need to be considered early.

Where structural alterations or special features require engineering, that work becomes part of the project scope.

Plan for the location from the beginning.

A successful container project connects the building, the business and the site.

Share your location details and the requirements from your local reviewing authorities. We can supply CAD drawings and equipment specifications to support plan review and develop the plumbing and electrical layout around the agreed equipment.

Planning these elements together helps establish a clear scope for the build and its installation.

Your investment and timeline.

Shipping container projects start at $95,000, before equipment and design. Larger or more complex builds can exceed $150,000, depending on equipment, structural work, engineering and site requirements.

Typical projects take 12–20 weeks, depending on size, complexity, equipment availability and our build schedule. Site preparation and approval schedules also need to be considered when planning your opening.

A 50% deposit starts your project. Your contract states the scope, pricing and your payment terms.

FAQ

Shipping container conversion questions

Ask us directly →

How much does a shipping container bar or café cost?
Projects start at $95,000, before equipment and design. Your final price depends on the size, layout, equipment, finishes and structural requirements. More complex projects can exceed $150,000.
How long does a container conversion take?
Typical projects take 12–20 weeks, depending on the build. We’ll discuss the production schedule alongside equipment lead times and the requirements of your site.
Can you source the shipping container?
Yes. The Hudson Trailer Company can help source a suitable container or discuss a custom-built structure when that better suits the project.
Can you provide CAD drawings and renderings?
Yes. CAD drawings help communicate the layout, and 3D renderings help you visualize the proposed appearance and finishes.
Can a container become a commercial kitchen?
Yes. We plan around your menu, equipment and operating requirements, including preparation space, refrigeration, ventilation and utilities as applicable to the build.
Can the finished container be moved?
Relocation can be part of the plan. Transport, lifting access, utility connections and site preparation need to be considered for each location. Tell us early if you intend to use the build at more than one site.
How do payments work?
A 50% deposit starts your project. Your contract states your payment terms. See How It Works for an overview.

Build a destination with your name on it.

Bring your concept and your location to The Hudson Trailer Company. Let’s create a container bar, café, kitchen or shop that gives people a reason to stay.