Downtown Partnership Launches Holiday Retail Pop-up Featuring Local Makers
BALTIMORE – Downtown Partnership of Baltimore will open a pop-up retail store to help local makers increase sales and visibility during a COVID-challenged holiday gift season. The store will be open in a ground floor retail space made available by Artemis Properties on Center Plaza from noon to 8 pm each Wednesday through Sunday, December 2nd to the 23rd.
Many of the merchants selected for the shop lack a physical retail presence of their own. By design, the shop and its location will give them high visibility in a central part of Baltimore with easy access to transit, parking, and approximately 43,000 people who live within a half-mile walking distance. Center plaza is located just off the intersection of 100 N. Charles Street at Fayette Street and will be decorated for the holidays with tree lights.
“We’re encouraging everyone to support local businesses this holiday season by gifting local,” said Downtown Partnership President Shelonda Stokes. “Most retailers rely on their holiday sales to get them through the slower winter months. That will be even more important this year with limited in-store capacity due to COVID.”
“Most retailers rely on their holiday sales to get them through the slower winter months. That will be even more important this year with limited in-store capacity due to COVID.”
Each purchase in the store will include a reusable shopping bag. Masks are required and crowd limits and social distancing will be strictly enforced.
A partial list of participating makers includes: Baltimore Bench , Chase Street Accessories and Engraving, Cuples Tea , Dear Globe Coffee, Drama Mama Bookshop, Hey Baltimore , Hon’s Honey , Jinji Chocolate , Magan Ruthke , Miles of Moisture , Mt. Royal Soap Company , Pangea Printing Company , Pbody Dsign , Raven’s Beak , Red Claw Leather , Row House 14 , Son of a Hon , SuperRad Design , Tiny Dog Press, and Words with Boards.
In addition to the local merchandise, the store’s windows will be decorated with specially-decorated Couture Trees as part of the Lord Baltimore Hotel’s annual fundraiser. Each tree is decorated by local organizations and the public may vote on their favorite tree between Dec. 1-14. In addition to the Downtown Partnership pop-up shop, the trees will also be showcased in windows at LB Bakery, 20 W. Baltimore Street, Spirits of Mt Vernon, 900 N Charles Street, and Schola, 916 N Charles Street.
