TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — There's always a sight to behold in downtown Tulsa, but if there's one thing missing...
"We hear regularly from downtown residents, workers, and visitors that they want to see more retail down here," said President and CEO of Downtown Tulsa Partnership Brian Kurtz.
Thankfully, the pop-up season is about to fill empty storefronts.
"As an e-commerce, I feel that it is important for people to be able to see me and touch the product," said Chantelle Lott, the creator of Bounceless.
"I design activewear for full-bust women so that they can work out in confidence," she said.
"This location is amazing," said Lisa Jae, creator of The Stylish Agency.
"I am a stylist, I am a designer, and I’m a creative director," she said.
Lisa and Chantelle will be located at Philtower until mid-January, while other pop-ups will be located at other downtown locations.
"This is a great way to not only support local entrepreneurs and small businesses that are emerging, oftentimes coming out of incubator programs but also a way to activate vacant storefronts in downtown," said Kurtz.
A win-win all around. Vacant storefronts are filled, holiday shopping options for customers, and entrepreneurs get an opportunity to push their dreams to the next level.
"This is amazing because I think about brick and mortar but I don’t know if we’re ready for it so this will give us an opportunity to test it out and see how things could flow," said Lott.
"I have never had my own space like this just to sell my items so, I’m giddy inside, I’m feeling really good," said Jae.
From approximately Nov. 25-Jan. 15, the following small businesses will set up at five downtown locations to sell their merchandise, which includes clothing, wellness products, home goods, candles, and baked goods:
DTP, a Small Business Saturday Neighborhood Champion, will give away reusable shopping bags from 10 a.m.-noon on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Pop-Up Shops, and carolers will fill the air with festive holiday music.