Bed-Stuy Pop-Up Shop Open for Business

Kenneth Mbonu, director of economic development for Bridge Street Development Corporation, is trying something new:

He's enticing landlords along Malcolm X Boulevard to open their empty storefront commercial spaces to aspiring small business owners through short-term leases, creating pop-up shops.  

"It's a temporary space for the artist to showcase their talents," said Mbonu. "Also, it is about them demonstrating their business skills as well. 'Can I manage a shop? Can I pay the heat? Can I pay the light bills? What does it take to manage a commercial space around insurance, around dealing with land orders?'"

The first of such shops, Bed-Stuy Pop-up Shop, opened on May 1, at 275 Malcolm X Boulevard, where Bed-Stuy resident Colleen Wadley, 30, and her partner Ose Ogbemudia are selling vintage clothing items, while at the same time, inviting other micro-business owners to share the space with them for only $100/week.

Wadley shares the storefront space with seven other vendors and she says so far, everyone has been selling. One woman, she says, showed up to sell her baked goods just a few hours before the shop closed and ended up selling out. 

"So far, from talking to them, [the vendors] have been having good traffic," said Mbonu. "Hopefully now they'll be able to translate this into going out and looking to get a more permanent space."

The shop is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., now through May 31. But Wadley says she hopes to extend their stay past the month's end, and they are looking for more vendors-- particularly those catering to men's products-- including more clothing designers and vendors of beauty products.  

For more information on the Bed-Stuy Pop-up Shop, email bedstuypopupshop@gmail.com.
Also, check out these upcoming events at the Bed-Stuy Pop-Up Shop:

• May 11th: 2013 Happy Mother’s Day! Calling all moms!: Come get your makeup done by appointment, while shopping Bedstuy Pop Up Shop! Treats will be in store for you!
  
• May 18th: Bedstuy Pop Up Fashion Show! Come and see the products displayed with models working the outdoor pavement at Bedstuy Pop Up Shop!