The Map Shop
The Map Shop is a family-owned Charlotte, NC map manufacturer and e-commerce retailer founded in 1991, selling wall maps, classroom maps, custom maps, and proprietary 3D raised relief maps to consumers, schools, and government agencies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersCharlotte, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What The Map Shop does
The Map Shop, LLC is a privately held, family-owned cartographic product company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, founded in 1991. It manufactures and sells wall maps, classroom pull-down maps, nautical charts, travel maps, custom maps, and 3D raised relief maps through its own e-commerce site, mapshop.com, and via a B2B purchase-order channel serving schools, school districts, and government agencies. Its operating brands include the proprietary South of Kings wall-map line (launched 2018), the BrightWay Educational classroom line (launched 2024), City Prints map art (acquired 2016), and Hubbard Scientific raised-relief maps (map-making division acquired 2020). Underlying technology centers on an in-house custom cartography department and vacuum-forming manufacturing equipment acquired from Hubbard Scientific, which produces tactile 3D terrain maps — a manufacturing capability described as not commonly available from competitors.
The company closed its Charlotte retail showroom in 2020 and now operates strictly as a direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer plus a B2B institutional seller. Pricing is unit-based across SKUs ranging from roughly $35 (small congressional district maps) to over $1,179 (large custom maps), with finishing options (paper, laminated, mounted, framed, spring roller) layered on top and free shipping on most items. Multiple finishing options and a DIY Custom Map Builder tool support configurability, while schools and government buyers transact via Net 30 purchase orders through a dedicated wholesale line. Distribution is primarily U.S. domestic with international shipping available via UPS and FedEx.
The business is bootstrapped (no disclosed funding rounds), operates with 1-10 employees, and reports cumulative unit sales of over one million maps. Earned media visibility spans Today Show, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, ESPN, Axios, and Associated Press. Named enterprise customers include Toyota, Honda, ALDI, Lionsgate, and DHL for episodic mapping needs, while the recurring revenue base is anchored by long-tenured school and government relationships and a distributed consumer e-commerce tail.
The Map Shop firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Map Shop
- Legal name
- The Map Shop, LLC
- Website
- https://mapshop.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Map Shop is a family-owned Charlotte, NC map manufacturer and e-commerce retailer founded in 1991, selling wall maps, classroom maps, custom maps, and proprietary 3D raised relief maps to consumers, schools, and government agencies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Map Shop industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maps and Cartographic Products
- NAICS
- Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)
- SIC
- Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Office, School & Business Supplies Online Retailers (CRAFADAL)
Keywords
Where The Map Shop is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Charlotte
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Map Shop business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Map and Atlas Sales: Core revenue from selling wall maps, travel maps, classroom maps, nautical charts, and atlases. Products available in various finishes: paper, laminated, mounted, framed, and spring roller.
- Custom Map Manufacturing: Made-to-order custom maps and MapSherpa custom map products. Orders are produced based on customer specifications with varying turnaround times.
- Raised Relief 3D Maps: Proprietary vacuum-formed 3D raised relief maps under the Hubbard Scientific brand. Premium pricing based on size and finishing options (unframed, mounted, framed).
- School and Government B2B: Long-term partnerships with schools and government agencies via purchase orders with Net 30 payment terms. Includes BrightWay Educational classroom maps.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Product-specific pricing with multiple finishing options |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Map Shop product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Map Shop manufactures and sells physical cartographic products, including wall maps, classroom pull-down maps, vacuum-formed 3D raised relief maps, nautical charts, travel maps, and made-to-order custom maps, through its e-commerce site mapshop.com and a dedicated B2B purchase-order channel serving schools, government agencies, and enterprise customers. Products are produced in-house at its Charlotte, NC facility and offered in multiple finishing options (paper, laminated, mounted, framed, spring roller).
Product overview
The Map Shop is a family-owned map publisher and manufacturer based in Charlotte, NC, operating since 1991. The company operates as a unified product portfolio centered on physical and digital cartography products. The core offerings include Wall Maps (world, country, regional, historical), Classroom Pull-Down Maps (under the BrightWay Educational brand launched 2024), Raised Relief Maps (manufactured via vacuum forming under the acquired Hubbard Scientific brand), Nautical Charts, Travel Maps, and Custom Maps (via Custom Map Builder and MapSherpa platforms). The portfolio also includes branded product lines such as South of Kings (proprietary wall maps launched 2018) and City Prints (decorative map art brand acquired 2016). Products are available in multiple finishing options including paper, laminated, mounted, framed, and spring roller configurations. The company also sells Congressional District Maps and National Park raised relief maps as specialized product lines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- South of Kings: Proprietary line of wall maps named after the retail location at Kings & Morehead in Charlotte
- BrightWay Educational
- Hubbard Scientific
- City Prints
Products and services
- Wall Maps Extensive collection of functional and decorative wall maps, including world, continent, United States, country, regional, city, historical, personalized travel pin maps (South of Kings), and map art (City Prints). Available in multiple finishing options (paper, laminated, mounted, framed). Targeted at home decor buyers, gift-givers, and offices.
- Classroom Pull-Down Maps (BrightWay Educational) Pull-down spring roller maps designed for educational classroom use across elementary, middle school, high school, and college levels, including history maps and custom spring roller options. Sold primarily to schools, school districts, and educational organizations via purchase orders with Net 30 terms, marketed under the BrightWay Educational brand.
- Raised Relief 3D Maps (Hubbard Scientific) 3D raised relief maps manufactured via vacuum forming over custom terrain molds that allow users to physically feel mountains, valleys, and landforms. Produced under the Hubbard Scientific brand (60+ years of history). Available unframed, mounted, or framed. Includes a National Parks series (Acadia, Denali, Glacier, Grand Teton, Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, Shenandoah, Yellowstone).
- Nautical Charts Marine navigation charts for sailors and maritime enthusiasts for use in outdoor recreation and navigation.
- Travel Maps Folding travel maps for United States and international destinations, trail maps, and road/world atlases for travelers, hikers, 4WD owners, and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Custom Maps (Custom Map Builder and MapSherpa) DIY custom map engine and made-to-order products allowing customers to create maps of any area with various styles and finishing options. Includes Custom MapSherpa Maps such as USA streets, ZIP code, world terrain, National Geographic topographic, world imagery, and US travelers atlases. Pricing ranges from $89.99 to $1,179.99; custom items are non-returnable.
- Congressional District Maps 2022 Congressional District maps showing current boundaries based on 2020 Census data, available for all states in non-partisan colors. Priced from $34.99 to $844.99 depending on size and finishing. Used by government agencies, civic organizations, and individuals.
- Map Accessories and Gift Cards Accessories including map pins, framing options, mounting hardware, and digital gift cards that can be purchased and redeemed on MapShop.com (never expire).
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1 million maps sold since 1991
Companies that use The Map Shop
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Map Shop technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Map Shop partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Kappa Educational MapscorePartnership to produce pull-down spring roller maps for classroom use. This collaboration expanded The Map Shop's presence in the educational market and led to the eventual launch of their own BrightWay Educational brand in 2024.
- Hubbard ScientificcoreAcquired the map-making division of Hubbard Scientific, including equipment, molds, and brand rights for raised relief maps. Hubbard Scientific has over 60 years of history in producing 3D raised relief maps.
- Spiracle MediaminorReferenced as a service provider partner for customer review functionality and business operations support.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Map Shop competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Geographic Maps: National Geographic Maps publishes premium wall maps, travel maps, and educational cartography under a globally recognized brand. It competes head-to-head with The Map Shop in decorative wall maps, classroom pull-down maps, and outdoor/trail map categories.
- Kappa Map Group: Kappa Map Group is a leading US publisher of educational, reference, and folded travel maps, including spring-roller classroom maps. It is both a partner (via Kappa Educational Maps) and a direct competitor to The Map Shop's BrightWay Educational pull-down map line.
- Rand McNally: Rand McNally is the largest US-based publisher of maps, atlases, and road-related travel products. It is a direct peer to The Map Shop across folded travel maps, classroom and reference maps, and road atlases, serving overlapping consumer and education customers through both retail and institutional channels.
- Replogle Globes: Replogle is a heritage US manufacturer of globes and educational geographic products, with a comparable classroom and home-office customer base. It is the closest analog to Map Shop's Hubbard Scientific line in tactile, manufactured geographic learning products.
- Maps.com: Maps.com is a long-running online retailer of wall maps, travel maps, classroom maps, and custom printed maps. It mirrors The Map Shop's e-commerce-first model and shares the same consumer, education, and small-business buyer personas.
- World Maps Online: World Maps Online is a specialty online retailer of wall maps, classroom pull-down maps, raised relief maps, and travel maps. It offers a near-identical product taxonomy to Mapshop.com and serves the same educational and decorative wall-map buyer.
- GeoNova Publishing: GeoNova Publishing produces wall maps, classroom maps, and custom cartographic products for educational and corporate buyers. Its product mix and B2B education channel are highly comparable to The Map Shop's institutional offering.
Broad incumbents
- USGS (U.S. Geological Survey): USGS publishes official US topographic maps and is a benchmark data and product source in the outdoor and educational mapping market. While not a commercial competitor, USGS sets quality expectations for trail and topographic SKUs that The Map Shop's outdoor and education buyers also purchase.
- Garmin: Garmin is the dominant navigation and mapping incumbent through GPS devices, automotive solutions, and the DeLorme brand (acquired 2016). It does not sell paper maps but defines the digital-navigation category that structurally pressures physical map demand, making it a key strategic reference point for The Map Shop's TAM.
Regional players
- Kümmerly+Frey (Hallwag): Kümmerly+Frey is a long-established European publisher of road maps, city maps, and travel atlases. It is a regional analog to The Map Shop's travel and wall-map categories and a useful reference for international expansion or sourcing benchmarks.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Map Shop social profiles
Digital presenceThe Map Shop financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Map Shop leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The Map Shop subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
The Map Shop funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Map Shop M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Map Shop
What does The Map Shop do?
The Map Shop manufactures and sells physical cartographic products, including wall maps, classroom pull-down maps, vacuum-formed 3D raised relief maps, nautical charts, travel maps, and made-to-order custom maps, through its e-commerce site mapshop.com and a dedicated B2B purchase-order channel serving schools, government agencies, and enterprise customers. Products are produced in-house at its Charlotte, NC facility and offered in multiple finishing options (paper, laminated, mounted, framed, spring roller).
Is The Map Shop a public or private company?
The Map Shop is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was The Map Shop founded?
The Map Shop was founded in 1991. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Map Shop based?
The Map Shop is headquartered in Charlotte, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Map Shop make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Map and Atlas Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Map Manufacturing, raised Relief 3D Maps and school and Government B2B.
Who are The Map Shop's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Geographic Maps, Kappa Map Group, Rand McNally, Replogle Globes, Maps.com, World Maps Online and GeoNova Publishing. Broad incumbents are USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) and Garmin. Kümmerly+Frey (Hallwag) is listed as a regional player.
Does The Map Shop have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Map Shop.
What industry is The Map Shop in?
The Map Shop's product category is Maps and Cartographic Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAFADAL, Office, School & Business Supplies Online Retailers. Its NAICS code is 45912 and its SIC code is 5945.