A Christmas store "pops up" on Mill Street
Pop-up retail has been a growing trend in cities around the world, and this Christmas, it’s arrived in Creemore.
Marcy Stewart’s original plan was to open up in the old Creemore Meat Market space for the Santa Claus Parade weekend only, and to use it to sell not much more than the boughs and Christmas decorations that she’s become known for over the past few years (her company, msdesign.ca, is responsible for the festive lights and greenery on the front of many of Creemore’s stores at this time of year).
But business was brisk, and the Dunedin community that Stewart is a part of is full of artisans and craftspeople, and in a very short amount of time the “store” has evolved into a full-on “Dunedin Christmas Shop,” of sorts.
Visitors can now peruse paintings by Peter Taylor and members of Drawnonward, wood carvings by Jim Leithead, jewellery and homemade dresses by Jordan DeRuiter, soaps by Jennifer Jansen, woolly children’s clothes by Lisa Christine Aarlt, and much more.
Stewart also continues to sell her decorations, as well as potted Christmas trees and festive centrepieces.
“It’s all come together quickly, and we’ve had lots of fun,” said Stewart. The question now is, what becomes of the idea once Christmas has come and gone? “We’re going to regroup and give it some thought,” said Stewart, though she did say the “pop-up” model continues to have some appeal, as long as there is space available.
In the meantime, the nameless shop (just look for the copious amounts of greenery on the east side of Mill Street!) will be open for one more weekend. For those needing last-minute Christmas presents, it’s worth a visit.
