Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown today joined with the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation (BUDC), today to kick off the 2018 Holiday Edition of Queen City Pop-Up at The Shops at Market Arcade, located at 617 Main Street.
Queen City Pop-Up is an innovative retail program designed to encourage retail activity along Main Street by creating new “pop-up” shops that feature local retailers. The project activates empty storefronts by filling them with retailers on a short term basis, free of charge. Sinatra & Company Real Estate has agreed to provide the free retail space for Queen City Pop-Up participants this holiday season.
“As we continue to grow Buffalo into an inclusive City of opportunity, the Queen City Pop-Up program complements our effort to draw more people into downtown’s central business district to shop – and to cultivate an environment for local small businesses to thrive,” said Mayor Brown, noting that this initiative builds on the economic momentum in Buffalo where over $6.5 billion in new investment is underway, which is expected to create over 12,000 new jobs over the next few years.
A Request for Proposals was issued in September to identify local retailers interested in participating in the 2018 Holiday Edition of Queen City Pop-Up. A selection committee, made up of representatives from partner organizations, reviewed the proposals and determined the program winners. Four local retailers were selected to participate this cycle:
- Classic Knot
- Lily & Grey
- Things N Time
- Urban Soul Closet
These retailers offer a unique mix of items including handmade and custom bow ties, men’s and women’s clothing, handbags, home goods and personalized gift box sets.
Mayor Brown today also issued a proclamation in support of Small Business Saturday, which is scheduled for the Saturday following Black Friday, November 24th. He urged Buffalo residents and visitors to “Shop Local,” during the holiday season and throughout the year, to support their local business community.
“Small Business Saturday is an opportunity for Buffalo to come together and collectively celebrate, promote, and support the local businesses that make our City great,” Mayor Brown said. In Buffalo, there are 23 identified shopping districts in neighborhoods citywide. More information (and a map of Buffalo shopping districts) can be found at www.buffalony.gov.
Small Business Saturday is an initiative of the federal Small Business Administration, in conjunction with American Express, to spotlight the importance of locally-owned small businesses in the Buffalo region, and across the U.S. More information and tool kits for small businesses can be found at www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-initiatives/small-business-saturday.
The Queen City Pop-Up program transforms empty storefronts into vibrant retail spaces that attract shoppers and businesses to downtown Buffalo. The goal of the program is to inspire participating retailers to locate their businesses along downtown Main Street by allowing them to set up shop, rent free for a two-month period, to test their retail concepts.
Of the 33 retailers who have completed the Queen City Pop Up program, several graduates have opened permanent stores, including: Rust Belt Love, Yar Mo’s Muse, MMW Style Studio, Buffalo Barkery and Phenominal Xpressions, on Main Street, Kissed by the Sun Spices and Najah Sauces, which are located at the Broadway Market, Ten Thousand Villages on Elmwood Avenue, and Rudeboyz Artworks on West Ferry Street.
“Queen City Pop-Up not only gives small business retailers a unique opportunity to showcase their products, but it is also bringing new energy to the downtown area and giving residents great new places to shop,” Brandye Merriweather, BUDC Vice President of Downtown Development said.
Queen City Pop-Up: 2018 Holiday Edition will run from now through Christmas Eve. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m-6:00 p.m., and Saturday from noon-4:00 p.m. For more information go to: www.buffalourbandevelopment.com.