If you’ve never heard the term “industrial-chic,” then you may be surprised at everything that falls under this stylistic umbrella-term. It’s used to describe any repurposed industry-centered item or location and industry-reminiscent aesthetics that revolve around raw materials. These can all include:

• Weathered wood
• Building systems
• Exposed brick
• Industrial lighting fixtures
• Concrete
• Old factories
• Other industrial spaces
• Industrial-use items

What we like to focus on, however, is shipping container chic. You might have read our last blog, “5 Amazing Storage Container Projects,” and those projects can actually all be considered “industrial-chic,” despite how different they look! The term is so broad, and yet very distinctive, which is a large reason why some companies choose it – to be distinguished.

“Industrial chic” isn’t supposed to look perfectly finished – that’s one of the details that makes it attractive! Shipping containers are about as raw as you can get – the color varies, it might have a few dents in it because it really was used for an industry at some point, and it’s really just a big, metal box.

Here are some examples of places that really lean into the “industrial-chic” style with shipping containers – one of them right here in Louisville!

Let’s See Some Industrial Chic

1. Copper and Kings: Louisville, KY

After their grand opening in October of 2014, Copper and Kings Distillery made itself out to be a staple in Kentucky’s rich history in the distilling business. By offering their guests opportunities for mixology classes, rooftop-bar experiences, and tours of their on-site brandy distillery, where they deviate from Louisville’s bourbon-centered focus, Copper and Kings brings an interactive flare to the restaurant and bar business.

Apart from what they offer in terms of services, Copper and Kings built itself an industry chic-centered aesthetic, featuring stacked shipping containers at the entrance, as restrooms on the grounds, a gift shop, and an informational center, as well. Check out Copper and Kings’ industry chic theme at:

📍1121 E Washington St, Louisville, KY 40206

2. SteelCraft: Long Beach, CA

Preferring the term “urban-chic,” this outdoor community space has long since grown from it’s original first location. Striving to be more than just a place to hang out and eat, the organization makes every effort to be a part of the community through, “outreach, live music, and community events.” They now have three locations, offering vendors of the likes of:

• Hangry Belly
• Smog City Brewing
• La Taquiera Brand
• Modern Filipino Kitchen by Aysee
• Off Duty Wine Bar
• Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
• Duck Donuts

Their spaces are made completely of repurposed shipping containers, each taken from the shipping industry and designed for a new life as a community vendor. As another facet of the industrial-chic style, ‘urban-industrial chic’ certainly ranks high on our lists! Find the urban-industrial chic SteelCraft at any of their three locations:

📍3768 Long Beach Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90807

📍16500 Bellflower Blvd., Bellflower, CA 90706

📍12900 Euclid St., Garden Grove, CA 92840

3. Crackheads and Choice Juicery: Carlsbad, CA

Are you craving breakfast and some juice? How about some served out of a couple of repurposed shipping containers? Find your balance in Carlsbad Village with Crackheads Breakfast and Choice Juicery, two restaurants you get in addition to that distinctive urban-industrial chic aesthetic with just a taste of the raw charm of the shipping container. As part of an outdoor food-hall, this is one industrial chic design that fits right into the setting. Find these amazing vendors at:

📍430 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008

4. Red Fish Blue Fish: Pensacola, FL

With the same bouncy, festive feeling you get reading Dr. Seuss’ rhymes, Red Fish Blue Fish captures that industrial-chic feeling with reclaimed wood from an old Coca-Cola warehouse and their main operations functioning out of a multi-shipping container building. With a focus on sustainability, Red Fish Blue Fish perfectly encapsulates one of the best parts of the industrial-chic aesthetic – the reuse of already existing materials. Since the industrial trend started with vast, abandoned factory spaces that served as a natural aesthetic in itself. Find this sustainably-made industrial chic restaurant at:

📍5 Via De Luna Dr. B, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561

5. Odette Estate: Napa Valley, CA