Boxville is Chicago's first shipping container marketplace that uses modified shipping containers for commerce in place of traditional brick and mortar spaces. Boxville serves Bronzeville residents and visitors with one-of-a-kind products and everyday necessities while offering local entrepreneurs engaging and affordable spaces for building their enterprises.
The Boxville effort began in 2014 with a single shipping container — the Bronzeville Bike Box. The Bike Box offers neighbors and commuters with bike sales and repair services, meeting their needs for transportation and community.
Boxville was born in 2017 out of the overwhelming support of the Bike Box concept with the addition of 4 shipping containers and the recruitment of 15 local businesses. It quickly became a thriving weekly market, doubling its footprint again in 2018 with the addition of Neighborhood Square, which provides space for the community to gather as well as a venue for cultural celebrations and programming.
Today Boxville is a year-round operation with 17 shipping containers and the capacity to host up to 20 enterprises on site.