Pop-Up Shops Return to Peachtree

Here come the brides, and others too, sashaying along Peachtree Street this weekend.

Just about to pop: the second Midtown Pop-Up, Friday through Sunday at three locations along Peachtree Street, between 5th and 10th streets. Hosted by the Midtown Alliance, this weekend’s event will have a focus on weddings and other special events.

Wait a minute, what’s a ... pop-up?

Going strong in cities such as Manhattan and Washington, D.C., pop-up retail is a relatively new concept for Atlanta. Essentially, it means occupying vacant retail space on a short-term basis to give a commercial district more activity and shoppers more to “ooh” at and shop for.

“Pop-ups are meant to be an economic driver for the shops, restaurants and businesses that are already in the area,” said Tucker Berta, spokeswoman for the Midtown Alliance. “They also benefit the temporary vendors by giving them exposure to the foot traffic already in an area — in this case, Midtown.” 

Midtown Alliance organized its first pop-up event in December for holiday shoppers. This time, there will be an emphasis on products and services for those planning a wedding or other special event (from invitations, photography and attire, to cakes and floral arrangements). But there will also be plenty of offerings for general retail enthusiasts: hand-crafted jewelry, silk saris, scarves, candles, bath and body product and items for dogs — from feeding bowls to furniture (yes, doggie furniture).

This Midtown Pop-Up has three sites within walking distance of each other: 805, 860 and 999 Peachtree Street.

999 Peachtree Street

An array of choice wedding, special event and catering-related retailers and services can be found in the 999 building at the corner of 10th Street.

They include: Adaptation Floral Design, Anne Barge Bridal Collection, Bella Cucina Artful Food (one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things”), Bridal Bar, Guffey’s Atlanta (high-end men’s apparel), Intimacy (bra-fitting specialists), Jade Lee Event Design, The Paperie at Sam Flax, and Lisa Jill Jewelry.

In one suite, Raw Bronzing Studio, Exhale Spa, and Wax (a waxing studio) will collaborate on a “beauty bar” and offer “mini treatments.”

The pop-up also will spotlight Mark Edge Jewelry. The celebrity jewelry designer, whose customers include Dolly Parton and Courteney Cox, has creations in 200 stores across the country. Edge, who lives in a century-old, earth-friendly house in Midtown, also has gone green with his jewelry in recent years. The popular Eco Vintage collection by Mark Edge uses reclaimed materials such as antique chains and vintage charms.

Edge, whom Jezebel Magazine in 2010 named Atlanta’s best jewelry, said he is looking forward to the Midtown Pop-Up.

“Nowadays, this concept makes sense," Edge said. "It’s a great network opportunity, a chance for exposure to new customers, and a great chance to get customer feedback.”

805 Peachtree

Rob Simmons, a photographer who specializes in long-exposure, night-time scenes of Atlanta, also is a fan of the pop-up model.

“This will be my second time participating here and I’ve found it to be a great opportunity to get my work seen by people who wouldn’t otherwise see it,” said Simmons, who lives in Grant Park. “The pop-up shows have led to repeat sales for me and have opened the door to other avenues for showing my work.”

You can find Simmons and his photography in the 805 Peachtree location near 6th Street. His photographic subjects range from urban landscapes and sparkling, panoramic city skylines, to scenes of Oakland Cemetery and the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. He also has been working on a series of photographs depicting Piedmont Park. Simmons has also offered to share his pop-up space with abstract/landscape photographer Bart Snyder, who recently relocated to Atlanta from Sweden.

The artists selling in the 805 building are under the umbrella of the Midtown Artists Market, one of many markets run by the nonprofit Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces (AFFPS). Headed by Patrick Dennis and Randall Fox, the AFFPS also coordinates larger events, such as the upcoming Buckhead Spring Arts and Crafts Festival (set for May 14 through 15).

“We love every opportunity we can get to help local artists sell their goods and get more exposure,” Dennis said. “It’s so wonderful to see the business community pulling together like this. ”

Dennis said he is appreciative to George Rohrig, who owns Cartel Properties that includes the 805 building.

“Thanks to him, we can open our market and be part of the Midtown Pop-Up,” Dennis said. “He is very supportive of the arts and local artists and we love him.”

Also among the 28 local artists who will offer their wares on two levels in the 805 location: Carla Roberts (Raggs Designs and Accessories), Anthony Bostic (Uniquely Cuffed cufflinks), Polly Becton (Treasures from the Sea jewelry) and Amanda Cade (Tiffany’s Candles). Cade donates 10 percent of her sales to benefit autism.

860 Peachtree

The pop-up shops at the 860 Peachtree address (at the corner of 7th Street), will be occupied by some retailers from Irwin Street Market in the Old Fourth Ward.

These include: Cornet & Hawkins Jams, Amusing Treats Wedding Cake Cookies, JD Rothschild Gourmet Hot Chocolate, Wonderchild Love Bars, Jake’s Ice Cream (promising “custom wedding flavors”) and ABC Bakery Custom Wedding Cakes.

You can bet there’ll be a whole lot of tasting going on.

  Midtown Pop-Up hours:

• at 805 Peachtree Street: 5-9 pm Friday (opening night includes hors d’oeuvres & wine), noon-8pm Saturday, noon-5pm Sunday
• at 860 and 999 Peachtree streets: 11am-7pm Friday and Saturday, noon-4pm Sunday; 
•  For more information, visit www.MidtownATL.com