16 new shops headed to Downtown through pop-up shop initiative

After successfully activating 101 N. Main with months of programming and events, the Downtown Memphis Commission is expanding the pop-up concept with their latest activation initiative, Open on Main. 

Businesses will be open at both 7 and 9 North Main beginning May 1, 2017.

Over the next seven months, the 16 participating businesses will occupy either space for a month and bring life to the vacant buildings. The tenants’ specialties range from handmade refurbished furnishing to locally designed fashion as well as a theater troupe and sewing school.

The selected tenants are Jupe, Somi Décor, Stockroom Vintage, Style by L. Thomas, Quark Theater, Tako’s Treasures, Bozwell + Lilly, 901 Shop,?Randomly Refurbished,?L.R. Clothier, Signet, Sew Much Love,?J.Lykey's Boutique, M.S. Shoetique, Dorothy Art and Phillip Ashley Chocolates.

The DMC said in a release that their two central objectives for the Open on Main project are to increase activity on Main Street and to encourage more permanent occupation of these spaces, and others like them, in the Downtown core.

 “The idea for this project was born from the success of our previous pop-up efforts at the 101, which ran in late 2016 and early 2017,” stated Brett Roler, vice president of planning and development for the Downtown Memphis Commission.

“The response to the 101 activation was quite strong, but we only allowed tenants to occupy the space for a few days at a time. This time we are allowing shop owners to inhabit their stores for up to a month. We think the results of these longer activation periods will be meaningful for both Downtown and the merchants.”

The DMC had more than 80 applicants vying to fill the spaces at 7 and 9 N. Main. Because of the response, DMC is currently looking for additional activation sites for future pop-ups.

“Adding vibrancy to Main Street is an ongoing strategic goal,” stated Terence Patterson, president and CEO of Downtown Memphis Commission. “For the Open on Main initiative, we selected tenants based on ability to create diverse, active and engaging spaces.”