Pop-up shops event set

Published 10:10 pm Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Susan Ward of Studio 32 from Sunbury, N.C., shows shoppers Ann Davies and her daughter, Margaret Davies, an elephant handmade from old sweaters during a pop-up shop initiative last November. A similar event will take place this Saturday.

Susan Ward of Studio 32 from Sunbury, N.C., shows shoppers Ann Davies and her daughter, Margaret Davies, an elephant handmade from old sweaters during a pop-up shop initiative last November. A similar event will take place this Saturday.

Following a successful first foray into the world of pop-up shops last fall, Suffolk’s Economic Development Department is holding the event again this Saturday, with a few tweaks.

“We got a lot of great feedback,” Economic Development Director Kevin Hughes said of last year’s event. “We want to replicate that energy.”

This year’s “ReStored” event will include about 20 merchants setting up shop in vacant downtown retail buildings. Some will also be outside, along with a few more children’s activities, in response to feedback from last year, Hughes said. Also in response to feedback, the event will last only one day this year.

Email newsletter signup

The number of vendors was deliberately reduced from the 30 or so merchants that participated in last year’s event so they could be more centrally located, Hughes said. In addition, more restaurants in downtown will have a more visible presence during the event, Hughes said. Some of the retailers are returning from last year.

The goal of the multi-faceted event is to get more people downtown and entice retailers to open brick-and-mortar locations in Suffolk.

“Realistically, we think that’s going to take time,” Hughes said. “This really is a long-term project. In the short term, the concept is to get more activity, more people in downtown Suffolk.”

Hughes said development such as the Golden Peanut project announced last week, which will include nearly 300 apartments and dedicated parking on the Saratoga-area site, will provide more sustainability for downtown businesses.

“That just gives more buying power downtown,” he said. “We just want to increase activity and opportunity.”

The event will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hughes said there is a contingency plan to move outdoor users indoor if the weather becomes an issue, so the event will be held rain or shine.

For more information, call 514-4049.

Retailers participating include:

  • Scentsy
  • ImajjE Jewelry Design
  • Studio 32
  • Enroll Virginia
  • Alodeuri Jewelry & Accessories
  • Whitney Carolina Designs
  • LuLaRoe
  • Rodan & Fields
  • Spa Diva
  • Mrs. Castaway’s Vintage Items
  • Thirty One
  • The Soapologist LLC
  • Pampered Chef
  • Tupperware
  • My Time Now
  • Fred & Sheila’s Creations
  • Natural Kreations
  • Wholistically Beautiful
  • JustShopNBuy
  • Faithful Fanatics
  • M&M Silk Flowers
  • Hi5 Multimedia LLC
  • Meadowbrook Memorial & Cremation Gardens
  • American Cancer Society
  • Versatile Collections

Food specials from B&B Catering, Tailor Made Meal Prep, East Coast Taco Company and The Plaid Turnip will be featured.