Central Atlanta Progress Announces Pop Up Retail Program
March 19,2014
Some of Downtown’s vacant storefronts along the Streetcar route will soon be filled with temporary retail stores known as Pop-Up Shops. Officially launching in June, stores will open on a rolling basis beginning in May.
CAP issued a request for proposals in January and quickly received an overwhelming number of applications. The final count was near 100 applications for only about 20 spaces. “We were very pleased with the response that we received from retailers wanting to participate in the program,” stated AJ Robinson, President of Central Atlanta Progress. “We believe that this illustrates a strong interest among retailers to be Downtown and tap into the underserved retail market that currently exists in the city center.”
With the assistance of a selection committee, the following retailers were chosen to participate in the program: Sock Fancy, ModernTribe, Arbitrary Living, BucketFeet, Just Add Honey Tea Company, The Byrd's Box, Brixtix Bakery for Dogs, Connections, Criminal Records, The Indie Craft Experience, Fresh.i.Am., Civil Bikes, Nandina Home and Design, Rob Simmons Gallery, Plywood People, City Issue and Perennial Coffee/Lolla Bell Donuts.
Merchants chosen to participate in the program will occupy the space rent-free for three months and receive a $500 grant from Central Atlanta Progress to kick-start their operation. At the end of their three months, retailers will have the opportunity to sign a permanent lease at their store’s location.
CAP will host a sneak-peek Pop-Up Party on March 29th at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market to give the public a preview of the retailers participating in the program. At this event, retailers will provide a sampling of the inventory that they will sell in their respective Pop-Up shop. The Indie Craft Experience will also be there to curate a small marketplace of local vendors.
The official grand-opening event is planned for early June. “We are really excited for the opening of the pop-up shops,” said Kristi Rooks, Senior Program Manager of Economic Development. “We have some really quality retailers participating in the program who are eager and excited to be Downtown.”
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