New Peer-To-Peer Equipment Rental Business Comes To Malden

MALDEN, MA – A new peer-to-peer equipment rental business has opened in Malden, city officials announced in a news release on Tuesday.

Rannsak gives local equipment owners the ability to rent out their idle equipment to others nearby. While there is no physical location, anyone can visit and use the website to post available equipment or rent equipment from a neighbor.

The peer-to-peer business model helps to “support sustainability and decrease consumption by renting instead of buying,” according to the Rannsak’s website.

Malden Mayor Gary Christenson celebrated the opening of the new company at a ribbon “tying” ceremony – Rannsak called the event a “tying” ceremony, rather than a ribbon cutting ceremony, to symbolize the business’ goal to tie the community together, according to a news release.

Business owners Patrick and Jessica Sherman hope to keep money in the community and create strong neighborhood relationships, the release said.

“We are focused on reducing spending, increasing sustainability, and decreasing consumption,” Patrick Sherman said. “Rannsak offers a user-friendly platform that makes it easy for anyone to rent out their belongings.”

Rannsak is a disabled, veteran-owned business. Sherman served two tours to Iraq.

Correction: A previous version of this article misnamed the location of Rannsak.