Pop-up shops find big home for holidays

The building previously occupied by Grandview Mercantile at 873 N. High St. is having a last long goodbye as Holiday Headquarters, the host location for pop-up shops and special events for the Short North Arts District.

It’s something of a first for the district, said Betsy Pandora, Short North Alliance’s executive director.

“For the last four years, we’ve partnered with businesses to have a pop-up shop during the Holiday Hop,” Pandora said, referring to the December Gallery Hop, which takes place on the first Saturday of each month.

“We held it in different locations each year. But this year, we decided it would be a fun idea to extend it throughout the season.” And it has been opened to businesses with and without a physical presence.

The now-empty Grandview Mercantile building was the perfect location, she said, offering pop-ups the chance to spread out.

This week, for example, Sherrie Gallerie is presenting a Holiday Pop Up Art Fair.

From noon to 6 p.m. through Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, seven artists — Andy Hudson, Laine Bachman, Michael Kaiser, Molly Burke, Marilyn Parker, William Ortman, and Julie Woodrow — have their entire inventory on display. The pieces include small works, art cards, prints, jewelry, coloring books and ornaments.

In an unusual offering, the Optical Co. is presenting its pop-up shop from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday. The business will craft, not simply manufacture, eyewear unique for each customer.

From noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and on Dec. 23 as well, the Holiday Headquarters will feature the Dress for Success Style Up Pop Up Shop, a collection of resale women’s fashions, as well as new apparel donated by boutique Happy Go Lucky Her. The event’s proceeds will benefit Dress for Success, a Columbus nonprofit that helps outfit low-income women for job interviews.

Short North Piece of Cake will present the final pop-up shop of the season on Dec. 22 and 23.

And that might not be the end of list.

“We leased the space through end of year and have made it available to folks,” Pandora said. “So we certainly will (hold other events) if there’s interest.”