Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row Arts District, The Churchill is a vibrant space where dining, shopping, and socializing converge in a sustainable setting. Constructed from repurposed shipping containers, The Churchill supports small businesses in a modern space that prioritizes sustainability and community.
The Churchill houses ten independent businesses, including restaurants, bars, and retail shops, surrounding an open courtyard that is also used for events, live music, and art shows. The size of the containers naturally limit the businesses, aligning with the concept of fostering small enterprises. “It’s nice to see a business utilize just the space they have to construct the roots of their business before they go off and do their own brick and mortar,” explains The Churchill’s Director of Operations, Stephen Allen.
In 2018, developer Kell Duncan and former business partner Hartley Rodie opened The Churchill, aiming to create an incubator for small businesses. The intention behind such a concept is to offer low rent, with the idea that, in Allen’s words, “Rent is not a major part impacting your bottom line.” The architect responsible for this innovative space is Brian Stark, the head of Local Studio, who runs Sparkbox, a company that retrofits shipping containers into studio and one-bedroom living units.
Allen shares the philosophy behind its design: “A lot of the choices that were made in building [the Churchill] were with the thought of trying to reduce environmental impact, so we’re using the shipping containers that were filling landfills.” Additionally, the architectural design is intriguing. Allen notes, “It’s fun to see a guest enter the Churchill for the first time…structurally it catches your eye. And it shows what you can do with shipping containers.”
There are diverse dining options, from gourmet pizza to craft cocktails and locally brewed beer. “We wanted to be a place where you could drink, eat, and shop. When selecting tenants, we try our best to have something for everyone,” shares Allen. The Churchill’s offerings reflect this vision with a mix of culinary and retail experience. You can grab a craft cocktail at So Far So Good or a local beer on tap at The Brill Line, indulge in gourmet pizza at Freak Brothers, or savor Hawaiian BBQ from Loco Style Grindz. For your sweet tooth, Scookie Bar serves up deep-dish skillet cookies, while Infruition offers refreshing smoothies and açai bowls. On the retail side, State Forty-Eight showcases Arizona apparel, Cayla Gray provides custom fragrances, and Neighbor Market is a pantry and bottle shop. Stoop Kid rounds out the culinary options with its delicious burgers and bagel sandwiches.
At its core, The Churchill is designed as a gathering place, hosting various events, including yoga classes, art shows, and pop-up markets. The space is also available for private events, with flexible furniture arrangements and catering options provided by the on-site restaurants and bars. They can also arrange for DJs and other entertainment.
Looking to the future, The Churchill plans to expand the concept. Duncan and Allen have announced a partnership with the City of Peoria, where they have teamed up with Gavin and Lance Linderman, owners of Driftwood Coffee and Easy Tiger bar, for a project at Jefferson and 83rd Avenue called Jefferson House. “The city of Peoria is developing an entire block to focus on local, small businesses,” Allen shared, proving that The Churchill is a model for other communities. “I have always been a big fan of The Churchill and its roots. I like that The Churchill was founded with the idea of making Phoenix a better place. The goal is to build small businesses and help the area reach its full potential.”
written by: alison bailin batz | photographed by: grace stufkosky
the churchill: 901 north 1st st, phoenix, az 85004
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