The biggest retail store of the current trend of pop-up retailers has surfaced downtown. Detroit, say hello to Moosejaw.
The offbeat outdoor outfitter has opened a temporary location, commonly known as a pop-up store, at the corner of Woodward and Grand River avenues last week. The 1,800-square-foot space is smaller than the average Moosejaw store but will still carry most of popular and namesake brands. The Madison Heights-based retailer will operate the store during weekends through at least Dec. 22.
"It's probably the most permanent-looking pop-up you will see," says Bryan Lively, vice president of retail for
Moosejaw. "The goal is to make it permanent."
He adds that initial traffic from last weekend is encouraging. Moosejaw officials expect to make that decision by early December, which could keep newly created jobs in downtown Detroit. If that happens, Lively expects it could be a sign of bigger retail things to come in the Motor City's center. "We think we can lead the momentum because of our quirkiness and our retail acumen," Lively says.
The trademark Moosejaw quirkiness is definitely there. The downtown Detroit store employs a living habitat in its front store window, such as a man making food while camping. The store also offers shoppers a chance to leave their mark/tag at the back of the shop. "It's the same quirkiness (shoppers would see at our normal store)," Lively says.
Source: Bryan Lively, vice president of retail for Moosejaw
Writer: Jon Zemke
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