For a few years now, I've been lamenting approximately all the empty storefronts alongside Raritan Avenue (the principle drag right here in Highland Park). It regarded like every time a new keep spread out to fill one of the vacancies, another one may close somewhere else, and the full extensive form of blank keep windows in no way got any smaller.
Just these days, but, it's miles started to seem like the tide is sooner or later turning. The remaining numerous shops to have closed alongside Raritan Avenue inside the beyond few months have all discovered new tenants nearly right now. The former fitness meals preserve became greater space for a gym two doors down the road; a Chinese eating place reopened with a new name; an natural spa turned into a present day spa; a thrift preserve have end up a brand new salon (some thing our town can apparently guide a certainly unlimited quantity of); and a jewellery keep closed in quick and reopened as a
And a couple of weeks ago, one of the empty storefronts across from the supermarket suddenly started sporting holiday decorations, an assortment of gift baskets, and a sign in the window saying "Pino's Holiday Baskets." A signboard inside the door explained that this was a "pop-up" expansion of Pino's, a local wine store that's been a Highland Park fixture for 85 years.
Pop-up stores, for those who don't know, are temporary businesses that set up shop in empty storefronts and other unused spaces, like public parks. Some, like the Pino's store, provide extra space for local businesses; others are new outlets for local artists and artisans. Some even serve as short-term "incubators" for businesses that eventually find a permanent home.
Coincidentally, not long before the Pino's pop-up store opened, I wrote an article all about this new business trend for Money Crashers, which has just been posted. It goes into details about the different types of pop-up stores, the ways they can benefit a community, and how to host your own one-day pop-up event...or even start a local pop-up initiative to encourage this type of store on a regular basis.
Get all the details here:What Are Pop-Up Retail Stores – Benefits and How to Support Them
