Project Pop Up. Like so many things, it is suddenly not all that new. It was launched in 2018 after nearly a year of planning with the goal of creating (temporary) retail spaces that can be used to promote and sell products of all types; those that would be unique to our area but still complimentary to our many existing businesses.
This past November we announced that our seasonal pop-up shop would be Busy Bee Floral & Gift. Debbie Hillary, owner, a trained florist, had been a wedding and event florist working out of her home. Located on the northwest corner of the square in the Etter Building (1605 10th Street), this beautiful space includes exposed brick, clean and bright lines and the original counter that is over 100 years.
Why did they sign on as a pop-up? The benefits of pop-up shops are numerous. For all of our pop-up shops, Main Street Monroe has worked with property owners to identify their needs and expectations. Just as significantly, we work with successful applicants to the program to create an opportunity to try out products on actual buyers during a popular time of year for shoppers. And we cover three months of rent. Additionally, Main Street works with each individual business to address any and all needs; including marketing plans, plans for events and experiential promotions, staffing, and inventory numbers. By focusing on such things, we have created a system that helps mitigate, if not remove, many of the unknowns that can stop people from becoming local business owners.
Since they opened late this past October, Deb and her husband, Joe, have had the opportunity to test the market with their products; to see how well things would sell and what feedback would be like from real customers — namely, you! In a relatively short and busy period, during a pandemic no less, the response has been beyond their expectations. Shoppers have been wowed by this full-service floral shop (they deliver and have an online shop) and the full retail store that has everything from custom greeting cards and balloons to handcrafted, small batch jewelry handmade in London. Additional items include succulents, handwoven Turkish towels, blankets, and robes, vintage silk saris and newborn gift items. Slightly older, but my friends’ four-year-old is in love with Just Rocks In a Box.
They’re designed to strengthen grip muscles in young children and improve fine motor condition. Overall, it’s a unique store that has unique items at reasonable price points. Babouche, a guaranteed distinctive item, have been particularly popular so far, too.
Items are geared towards small batch, sustainable, American made and women owned companies. At its core, Busy Bee believes in being part of something and that something being much more than just ourselves or the moment. In that, Busy Bee is the perfect fit for Main Street Monroe. Project Pop Up may be our program, but it’s about understanding the needs of the community and finding and assisting entrepreneurs with their dreams and providing a foundation for the years ahead.
If I’m sounding like a proud parent, it’s because Busy Bee has signed a long-term lease to continue providing top notch customer service, one-of-a-kind items, and being part of the Main Street district. That means that all four of our pop-up shops have signed long term leases. So please stop in to help welcome them. And expect more good things from us in 2021.
— Jordan Nordby is the executive director for Main Street Monroe. He can be reached at MonroeMainStreet@tds.net. complete details on Main Street Monroe and its efforts can be found at mainstreetmonroe.org.
