This is part 7 of our series: 31 DAYS of Setting Up Shop! You can find the entire list of days, in order on our Setting Up Shop Index Page. I'll add each new entry to this list as it is published.
::
{pop-up shops}
I did some research yesterday about {pop-up shops}. A pop-up is a non-permanent retail store that occupies a space for as little as 2 days, to as long as three months. So, I'm opening a pop-up. I love how that sounds.
I had known about pop-ups for a while, but I had no idea that they were such a big deal. I thought they were just for Halloween costume shops, and the like. My New Yorker friend, Amanda said that they are very popular up there, even with up-scale design companies, and my research backed that up. The retail industry has fallen on hard times to some extent, leaving lots of empty space, and the pop-up phenomenon has done something to soften the blow for retail building owners.
There's also a trend of building your pop-up into a vintage trailer and driving it around to your customers. Now I want one really bad!!
These images were pinned from Dottie Angel, where there are lots more photos to drool over. I almost didn't make it back to finish this post. Not kidding.
There is a ton of information and advice on the internet, and I encourage you to check it out if you are interested. One thing that thrilled me, is that most of the advice they gave about running a successful pop-up, I had already set into motion!
Here is some of that advice:
** a pop-up is a great venue for handmade business and small start-up lines
** if possible, enlist others who have similar interests to join you in your pop-up venture
** do what you can to avoid the antique/craft mall ambiance and set up your pop-up like a cozy boutique
** try to find a location where other businesses mesh well with the theme of your shop
** if possible, barter for rent, or find a space owned by someone you know
Ha! check, check, and check!
There were several items that I hadn't thought of, including some clever ideas for free advertising. I'll be looking more into that in the next couple days and keep you informed.
For now, I need to get to work making product to sell in my {pop-up}.
Later, y'all!
