Though in Wong Chuk Hang one site is redefining what storage means—and it’s packed with surprises that go far beyond a padlock and extra room. You might think a tiny storage facility is just rows of metal containers and musty boxes. Helpful resources!
Enter BoxNLock and you will first smell fragrant mint, lavender, and basil rather than the typical chemical cleaner scent. Between spotless lockers on the fifth level is a secret indoor garden. It was not always this way: Florist Sarah brought her plants for security when she moved here at the height of COVID-19. She had no idea she would incite a green-thumb revolution. Planters flood with herbs and cherry tomatoes now; tenants trade seeds and cuttings; scribbled notes about who watered what last abound. Want to leave a pot of basil in good hands when you travel, or need a sprig of rosemary for supper? Here it is all welcomed, turning storage into community.
BoxNLock does not, however, challenge expectations. Third floor behind door 3B is something entirely different—a secret music lounge. Open the entrance and velvet drapes show a warm, instrument-filled den where weekend warriors and professionals come to jam. After work, residents drop by to rehearse or relax with drum sets, keyboards, and amps lining the walls. Tommy, a cab driver moonlighting as a saxophone, says it’s the one place he can shout out a tune without thinking about waking the neighbors. The laughing and music echoing down the hall rapidly remove the notion that storage is a lonely operation.
And possibly the most amazing surprise of all—unit 14D. Within is a pint-sized private movie theatre. Indeed, there are fluffy chairs, a vintage popcorn machine, and even vintage projectors. Every full moon, a close-knit circle screens movies—sometimes old kung fu epics, sometimes cult favorites. Just a WhatsApp group and a common love of stories on the big (okay, little) screen; no tickets exist. Regulars bring pals; even the odd dog or two has been reported to curl up to slumber during a late-night performance. The unofficial projectionist, Brian, set the scene since he grew bored seeing movies on his phone. Now, he and his fellow movie buffs laugh, munch popcorn, and experience the thrill of actual film in the most unlikely setting.
This Wong Chuk Hang storage is special not just in terms of amenities but also in terms of community discovery. Arriving to drop off things, people find themselves bonding over vintage movies, jamming to music, or tending basil. It’s evidence that occasionally the locations and items we keep carry memories and connections far more precious than the actual objects. Although you might leave BoxNLock with less clutter, you will find a small taste of city life you never would have expected.