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City of Melrose Launches Second Phase of Pop-Up Project to Support Entrepreneurs

A grant from the Massachusetts Office of Business Development provides the City the opportunity to activate its vacant commercial properties and support entrepreneurs through Project Pop-Up.
Posted on: May 31, 2022 - 2:17pm
Melrose Pop-Up

The City of Melrose will continue its successful pilot program known as Project: Pop-Up to fill vacant storefronts with small retailers, artists, and makers. The initiative is funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Business Development and is designed to provide opportunities for economic growth and added vitality in Melrose’s business districts. 

Project: Pop-Up provides small retailers access to vacant storefronts at significantly reduced costs. The retailers will “pop up” in these locations for several months - introducing their businesses to a wider audience and gaining access to a range of support services such as marketing and PR opportunities, signage and event stipends to help ensure their success.  

To launch the second phase of the program, Melrose is once again partnering with UpNext, the Newton-based, woman-owned business that connects emerging brands to available spaces. UpNext is working to identify locations to place the Pop-Ups and identify small businesses that will occupy those spaces later this summer, with a focus on local e-retailers, artists, and artisans.  

“It’s very exciting to see pop-ups continue after having such a successful start to the program in 2021,” said Mayor Paul Brodeur. “New business ventures have always been risky, and today especially so, given the continued economic impacts of COVID-19. Providing retailers and entrepreneurs access to spaces where they can test drive new concepts and innovation - without the commitment of a lengthy lease - may help reduce risk, increase equity, and could propel their businesses forward. I truly can’t wait to see what pops up in Melrose this summer.” 

Vendors must apply with UpNext to pop up for 2-3 months in Melrose. Click here to apply to be part of Project: Pop-Up. 

“Economic development continues to be an important priority for the city, and we were pleased with the success of the initial Pop-Up businesses, Roü-Mi Candle and Friends and Mothership of All Design,” said Lauren Grymek, Melrose’s new Director of Economic Recovery and Business Development. “Being part of Project: Pop-Up has been a fantastic experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to relocate my business from my home to a storefront. As a result, I am relocating to a permanent space in Melrose,” said Glenn Blackburn, owner of Mothership of All Design. 

Melrose is one of five communities to host Project: Pop-Up. The program will run from late summer into the fall. Other participating communities include Burlington, Needham, Newton, Wellesley. 

You can follow Project: Pop-Up on Social Media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

For more information about this initaitive, contact Lauren Grymek, Director of Economic Recovery and Business Development, at 781-979-4117 or lgrymek@cityofmelrose.org.