Co-warehousing space in Raleigh helps small businesses get on their feet

Shopping online is more popular than ever from the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, the number of e-commerce businesses have nearly doubled since the pandemic began.

The Loading Dock, a co-warehousing business in Raleigh, is turning local business owners' big dreams into reality. The tenants share amenities like pallet jacks and push carts, as well as a loading dock.

Each business can get 10,000 square feet of warehouse space on a month-to-month basis. This is good news for small businesses who aren't ready to make a long-term commitment to a space.

Mary Angelini, with Gabi Grounds Coffee, said that the flexible month-to-month lease was ideal. This mother and daughter duo started hiring employees with special abilities to pack their products.

Soon, other tenants took notice and asked to hire their employees too.

"Now we’re up to 15 employees," she said. "We’re packing orders for other companies and labeling so we’re kind of growing the business this way."

Tony Spencer, who owns the CBD company Spruce, is now working out of the Loading Dock. Before, he said he was using a third-party fulfillment center out of Texas.

"I was having a lot of pain from that, meaning I'm not Amazon, so I'm not terribly important and my customers were not getting their packages," he said.

Spencer said his orders have doubled since moving to the Loading Dock. They now can include handwritten notes and an occasional gift.

“That brand affinity that’s created by adding a little bit of love turns out to be huge," he said.

The Loading Dock location in Five Points was so successful that they are now opening a second location in west Raleigh near Meredith College.