A Pop-Up store has popped up at 335High Street in Chestertown. This store, “College Town”, blossomed on Friday evening, May, 3, during Chestertown’s monthly First Friday event.
The Pop-Up store, also known as “flash retailing,” is a new concept of opening a short –term sales space in a previously vacant space. This concept began in Los Angeles, in 1999. Pop-up retail allows an entrepreneur to create a unique environment, generally offering apparel and other specialty items.
The Pop-up store, College Town, on High Street in Chestertown is the idea of two Washington College graduates, Molly Ellis, class of 1985, and Gillian Duvall, class of 1998. Molly owns Threadwell Monogramming, in Philadelphia and Gillian owns Annapolis Pillow Company, in Annapolis.
The products featured in College Town are produced by other Washington College alumni. These products include: pillows from Annapolis Pillow Company, blue claw and knot clothing and belts, belts by Adam Blitzer, class of 2010, Tessemae salad dressing from Greg and Genevieve Vetter, class of 2005 and 2006 and imported bags and accessories from Reed Gallant, class of 2002. Katie Warwick Schreiner, class of 1998, provides monogramming. College Town also carries re-corked candles, made using recycled wine bottles.
There are several concepts at work in setting up a Popup store such as affordability, short – time rental commitment, generate buzz and attention, product testing and experimentation, promotes spontaneous purchasing and brand extension and education.
Many Popup stores offer a bridge to better time is a sluggish economy and an excellent opportunity for younger entrepreneurs beginning their retail careers as well as balancing the obligations of business and family. These factors are important for young college graduates beginning their business careers.
The unique products may be seen at College Town on Monday and Tuesday by appointment only, Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., and Sundays from 11 A.M to 3 P.M.
Barbara Jorgenson says
Congrats to Molly, Katie, and Gillian,
This is a wonderful, albeit for now temporary, addition to our High Street!
Hope to see you around for a long time to come.
Alf says
This is a fabulous addition to High Street!! Best of luck on becoming a permanent fixture. So good for the community.
Robbi says
Excellent idea! Wishing them lots of success –
Keith Thompson says
I love to see something like this be a permanent fixture downtown as it would get Chestertown one step closer to being a college town.
Fletcher R. Hall says
Keith you are so right. However, these types of stores must be sustainable. It will take the support and patronage of both the local and college communities to make these types of establishments successful. Let’s hope that will be the case.
Fletcher R. Hall
Chestertown
Gina Tana says
I recently vistited your store, Sunday May 19th . I loved the selection of Cashmere tops. I wanted to go back & purchase 2 of the sweaters for my Italy trip coming up this fall. Unfortunately the store closed @ 2’oclock that afternoon.
Is there any way I could purchase them on-line? I would also need the store’s phone #.
Thank you,
Gina Tana