More 'Pop-Up' Opportunities for Bed-Stuy's Budding Businesses

Bridge Street Development Corporation (BSDC) has announced the official launch of its new program Bridge Street POP-UP! 

Bridge Street POP-UP has the dual goals of helping property owners fill vacant storefronts while also giving start-up and home-based business owners the a chance to operate a retail location without the high, long-term overhead costs normally associated with opening a store.

“Bridge Street POP-UP connects landlords with merchants, artists and craftspeople that need a temporary space to showcase their wares,” said Kenneth Mbonu, BSDC’s director of economic development. 

The first temporary store under BSDC’s new program was “Bed-Stuy Pop-up Shop" which opened on May 1 of this year at 275 Malcolm X Boulevard, where Bedford-Stuyvesant residents Colleen Wadley and Ose Ogbemudia sell vintage clothing. They share the space with eight other complimentary micro-business owners. 

A second location has since "popped-up" at 351 Tompkins Avenue and a third is in the works on Nostrand Avenue.

Mbonu said the long-term goal is for pop-up shop operators to eventually execute a long-term lease, decreasing neighborhood commercial vacancies while increasing the diversity of businesses serving the community.

“It is also about vendors demonstrating and honing their business models and getting accustomed to the more formal requirements of operating a storefront business," said Mbonu.

Bridge Street is currently accepting applications from small business owners who are interested in opening a pop-up store. The application and further information about Bridge Street POP-UP can be found online at www.bsdcorp.org/pop-up application. 

Property owners can call (718) 399-0146 x19 or email info@bsdcorp.org to register with the Bride Street Pop-Up Property Owner Database.