MORE THAN 40 OPEN HOUSES, WINTER PASSPORT & GRAND OPENINGS LAUNCH HOLIDAY SEASON
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2019
Longmont, Colo.: Pop Up Longmont debuts, bringing fresh retail to Downtown Longmont’s Main Street during 2nd Friday, November 8 in the Longmont Creative District.
Pop Up Longmont is a new initiative of the Longmont Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) and the Longmont Economic Development Partnership (Longmont EDP) to offer affordable storefront options for local retail/artisan manufacturing entrepreneurs to test and validate their retail concepts in Longmont. The space is located inside the LDDA offices at 320 Main St.
Sock., owned by entrepreneur Scott Spears, will be the first tenant at Pop Up Longmont. “We really want to help downtown Longmont with this new program,” said Spears, also owner of Scrumptious Longmont. “When we were starting our businesses, we wished that there was a way to be able to test what works and what doesn’t in certain areas. We also think it’s really important for new businesses to be able to learn the ropes without opening themselves up to too much risk.”
Growing storefront entrepreneurs is part of both the Longmont EDP economic development strategy, Advance Longmont and the LDDA Master Plan of Development. Using a Pop Up model, visitors are introduced to new products and business owners can test a new market.
“We already have Scrumptious on Main Street, so we know the clientele,” said Spears. “When we found out about the pop up program, we jumped on it to see if the concept would work in Longmont, and if it does, we may try to find a permanent home.”
“The strength and diversity of our independent retailers is really growing,” said Kimberlee McKee, Executive Director of the LDDA. “This year we have added even more unique retail in Downtown and to showcase this, we are kicking off the holiday season on the same day we launch this new program.”
The holiday retail season is critical to small businesses. With Thanksgiving falling on the latest possible date this year (November 28), it leaves holiday shoppers the shortest possible amount of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas to get their gifts purchased. More than 40 Holiday Open Houses will give Longmont-area residents the chance to get a head-start on their Holiday shopping and explore many of Downtown’s local businesses including some of the district’s newest additions such as Violet Letterpress, Wildflower Mercantile and NewCastle Comics.
Another highlight of the November 2nd Friday is the launch of the 2019 Winter Passport program, returning for its second year. Shoppers visiting Downtown Longmont businesses will be rewarded for their loyalty and patronage once again this winter. Nearly 60 participating businesses will begin handing out Shop Loco stickers to customers, who can enter to win over $3,000 in prizes from local businesses.
LDDA & Pop Up Longmont Ribbon Cutting kicks off November 8 at 4 p.m.:
When the LDDA moved to a new office earlier this year, activating the storefront with retail was a goal of the Board, accomplished through the Pop Up Longmont partnership with Longmont EDP. To inaugurate the new space, a Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting will kick off at 4 p.m. at 320 Main St. The public is welcome to attend the Ribbon Cutting and is encouraged to make their way around the district to visit other Open Houses and see what is new Downtown.
More Information About Pop Up Longmont:
Pop Up Longmont aims to accomplish the following:
- Offer an affordable option for local retail/artisan manufacturing entrepreneurs to test and validate their ideas in Longmont
- Offer studio space to a working artist and give them a retail outlet for his or her work
- Connect business owners with real storefront experience before they commit to a longer team lease
- Recruit potential future independent retailers to Longmont
- Offer business services and resources to aspiring businesses
- Generate more sales tax dollars for the City of Longmont
- Attract more traffic to downtown Longmont
In the future, Pop Up Longmont will offer three (3) types of rental space: pop up retail, pop up shelf, and pop up art studio.
Pop Up Retail space consists of approximately 400 square feet and entrepreneurs looking to occupy and run a retail space will only be available on a three (3) month duration during the following schedule: November to January, February to April, May to July, and August to October.
Pop Up Shelf is for entrepreneurs looking to showcase and sell products year-round. Renting shelf space is available on a one (1) month to three (3) month duration.
Pop up Art Studio is for artists looking to have a working art studio with retail space for work will be available in 3 – 12-month increments.
Entrepreneurs interested in the pop up program are encouraged to apply at www.popuplongmont.com
More Information about the Winter Passport Program:
- Winter Passport Program runs November 8, 2019 – January 3, 2020 to reward shoppers in Downtown Longmont.
- Shoppers visit any of the 60 participating businesses to collect stickers.
- $10 spent at participating businesses = 1 Shop Loco Sticker
- 10 stickers = 1 complete entry form
- Completed entry forms can be turned in to St. Stephen’s Plaza drop box at 5th Ave. and Main St., or can be dropped off or mailed to the LDDA office at 320 Main St., Longmont, CO 80501
- Support local business and enter to win more than $3,000 in prizes.
- Weekly prize drawings will be held throughout November & December
- All entries from Nov. 8 – Jan. 3 will be entered in a final Grand Prize drawing to be held after January 3.
- Prizes include Beer for a Year; BBQ for a Year; Art Lessons, Gift Cards & More
- Need more reasons to Shop Local?
- An ‘elf’ scavenger hunt is also part of the Winter Passport, and Downtown visitors who find elves can enter to win a prize. Visitors who find an elf as part of a window display, inside a business, or even outside on the ground can take a selfie with the elf (an ‘elfie’), and post on social media with the hashtag #longmontelfie to be entered for a chance to win a prize.
- More information and a full list of participating businesses can be found at www.downtownlongmont.com
More Information About 2nd Fridays: Second Fridays are monthly night-out events (held the 2nd Friday of each month) in the Downtown Longmont Creative District, celebrates art, food, craft and culture featuring gallery exhibitions, restaurant promotions, extended retail business hours, pop up artists, live music and more.
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Contact Name: Del Rae Heiser, Downtown Specialist
Organization: Longmont Downtown Development Authority
Phone Number: 303-651-8586
Email: [email protected]
Contact Name: Sergio R. Angeles, Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Organization: Longmont Economic Development Partnership
Phone Number: 303-651-0128
Email: [email protected]
Contact Name: Scott Spears
Organization: Sock.
Email: [email protected]
About Longmont Economic Development Partnership: A 501(c)6 non-profit organization founded in 1981, the Longmont EDP is funded with both public and private dollars. More than 120 private sector businesses join the City of Longmont, Boulder County, and Platte River Power Authority as our economic partners. Longmont Economic Development Partnership leads a comprehensive approach to building an economic ecosystem that not only supports, but champions, businesses and their owners. From world-famous brewers to smart manufacturing plants, specialized business catalysts to world-class research facilities, our businesses in Longmont build an economy that champions growth, prosperity, and inclusion. Our newly launched economic development strategy, Advance Longmont 2.0, focuses on quality job creation and business investment. We activate a powerful civic infrastructure that identifies problems, creates innovative solutions, and implements these programs across partner organizations. For us, Advance Longmont means doing it together.
About Longmont Downtown Development Authority: In 1982, Longmont City Council and the Longmont electorate created the LDDA with to revitalize the City’s Downtown commercial core.Its mission is to develop, support and promote a vital and valuable Downtown Longmont. Through strategic development and programs, the LDDA makes downtown appealing to businesses, residents and visitors. The Downtown District encompasses 242 acres, spanning 1st Avenue to Longs Peak and Martin Street to Terry Street. More than $200 million in public and private funds has been invested in new and renovated buildings, public infrastructure and streetscape. Downtown Longmont was designated as a certified Colorado Creative District in 2014 and focuses on attraction and attention of the Creative Industries. Goals and strategies are outlined in the LDDAMaster Plan of Development.
About Pop Up Longmont: Pop Up Longmont is an initiative of the Longmont Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) and the Longmont Economic Development Partnership (Longmont EDP). Pop Up Longmont’s mission is to support local entrepreneurs and artisans by providing an affordable option to test and validate their ideas in Longmont, CO. For more information, please visit www.popuplongmont.com
