PopUp Republic

Choosing a Concept

You cannot have a pop-up without a concept. Sometimes, this is easy. If you’re a jewelry designer, it makes sense that you open a shop that showcases your designs. Similarly, if you’re a chef, perhaps you have training in one particular type of cuisine, and your pop-up restaurant is your chance to show your chops (or whatever cuisine you specialize in). Others, however, might have a different set of skills and trying to decide which one makes a good business can be tricky.

The right concept is certainly dependent on your expertise or interests, but there are also other factors to consider:

• Time of Year: Pop-ups that open in the winter could, perhaps, have a holiday theme
• Neighborhood: If you find a space in an “artsy” part of town, maybe it makes sense to create a pop-up art gallery featuring the works of local artists, makers, and crafters.
• Type of Space: You need a space that ultimately suits your needs. If you’re creating a pop-up restaurant, common sense dictates that you should not open it in a venue that is built for retail. Similarly, if you are a fashion designer, you need somewhere that can hold mannequins, has clothing racks, enough shelving for you to display your goods, and perhaps a fitting room.