Close your eyes, and think of your favorite coffee shop, bakery, or local business. Now ask yourself, “What were the owners doing before they had their store?” In some cases they started as a pop-up.
Pop-ups are goods that can be sold at various locations before having an official storefront. Think: Testing the waters for your business before going all in on a brick-and-mortar.
Here are a couple of businesses you may or may not know that started out doing pop-ups:
- Curator Coffee | This ceramic and coffee shop started as a mobile cart in 2020.
- Plantaquería | Also started in 2020, this vegan tamal company started selling small batches before getting its own storefront.
Now that you’re well versed in all things pop-ups, here’s some that we think you should keep on your radar because these might just get their flowers too — and you’d get serious bragging rights.
Pro tip: Be sure to follow these businesses on social media to know when they’ll pop-up next.
- Overjuiced | Find these refreshing juices at the Pearl weekend markets. Try this: Glow juice which has pineapple,cucumber, mint, and apple.
- Crumbs SATX | You had us at Cinnamon Sugar Croissant.
- Two Sips | This drink stand appears all over town at different markets and has fun drink names like the Pedro Pascal Hibiscus Tea or Wicked Matcha.
- Monbondelight | These Japanese fruit sandos are — like the name implies — a delicous delight.
- DORP Creamery | Find these Asian-inspired ice creams at the Pullman Market, Best Quality Daughter, and Curry Boys BBQ.
- Mira Matcha | This pop-up matcha bar has a trailer in the works and is soon posting up at 2202 Broadway St.
- Ray’s Floral Boutique | This floral shop went from popping up at local businesses to recently signing a lease for its first physical store.
Did we miss your favorite pop-up? Let us know.
