The latest Queen City Pop Up participants have been announced. Mayor Byron W. Brown, Buffalo Urban Development Corporation (BUDC), Buffalo Place and Working for Downtown have given the thumbs up to The Atinga Project, Phenominal Xpressions, Vixen Fashion and Buffalo Loves Tees. The Queen City Pop-Up: 2016 Spring Edition is located at 517 Main Street.
This is the 4th season that this particular pop-up has been initiated. Due to past successes, the Brown administration feels that these types of small business advancements help to reenergize Main Street and Downtown Buffalo. In order to make this program work, building owners must work with The City to provide free temporary space for the Pop-Up. New 500 Block, LLC has offered to host the Spring edition, which will run through July 31, 2016. The ultimate hope is that these retailers are successful in their ventures and plant permanent seeds in the city once the pop-up experience has ended. To date, a number of former pop-up businesses have planted themselves in permanent Downtown locations, including Buffalo Adore, Rust Belt Love, Yar Mo’s Muse and MMW Style Studio. Rare Bath and Body now has a retail presence at Furnishings on Main Street (see Facebook).
Mayor Brown stated, “We are experiencing unprecedented development, excitement, and growth in the downtown area, and positioning the 2016 Spring Edition of Queen City Pop-Up along the newly renovated 500 Block of Main Street is adding to the momentum. Buffalo’s downtown Main Street and our significant investment in the Cars Sharing Main Street program play a vital role in Buffalo’s new era of opportunity. The Queen City Pop-Up program complements our collaborative efforts, encouraging growth in the downtown area, attracting even more people to downtown Buffalo, while creating increased opportunity for investment and job growth.”
In tandem with this latest announcement, Mayor Brown issued a proclamation that May 8th t0 the 4th is Small Business Week in Buffalo.
We are thrilled that Queen City Pop Up has been a catalyst in helping retailers take their businesses to the next level.
The current pop-up participants replied to a Request for Proposals (RFP) and made the cut. Now they will be operating rent free through July. The range of items sold at the pop-up includes Buffalo themed merchandise, local artwork, vintage clothing and purses, hand-made jewelry, custom T-shirts, and hand-crafted footwear and accessories.
Brandye Merriweather, BUDC Vice President of Downtown Development says, “It is amazing to see new small business retailers locating on Main Street. We are thrilled that Queen City Pop Up has been a catalyst in helping retailers take their businesses to the next level.”
Queen City Pop-Up: 2016 Spring Edition will run through July 31, 2016. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm and Saturday from noon – 4:00 pm.