Holiday Pop Up Shops return to Midtown
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Today is Black Friday and tomorrow is Small Business Saturday. Many people in Midtown were feeling the shopping spirit on the day after Thanksgiving during the Holiday Pop Up Shops.
"It is like a little Hallmark movie, Gilmore Girls moment. This is the only place you get that in the city," said Ashley Montgomery, a vendor participating in the event.
Little white tents surround a huge Christmas tree, near Northwest 10th and Hudson in Midtown. It's the Holiday Pop Up Shops. Each tent holds popular items from local businesses located somewhere in the city or the state.
"Everything is already great quality, it's unique gifts," said Cléo Nash, Executive Director of the Independent Shopkeepers Association.
It's going on its 11th year. Since that time, the Independent Shopkeepers Association said it's generated around $5 million in small business sales.
"Shopping locally means you are keeping your money here in Oklahoma City and it means our city keeps growing," said Nash.
Some make their own products from scratch, from pottery to candle making, like Tony Greenroyd of Oliver + Co.
"They're made right here in Oklahoma City," said Greenroyd.
The shop sells anything fragrance, from candles to perfume. The store is named after Greenroyd's dog.
"All of my fragrances are inspired by my travels," said Greenroyd. "We use all natural products. We don't add any carriers or harmful additives."
Across the way is Ashley Montgomery of Orange Peel. Her Oklahoma Vendors find quality vintage clothing across the state and the country.
She said the crowds have their obvious favorites.
"Everybody wants a silly Christmas sweater," said Montgomery. "They're timeless."
It's Montgomery's third year participating in the pop-up event.
"The first year we did it we were obsessed with it," she said.
It's become a tradition for the stores and the shoppers, family, and friends.
"We just wanted to go shopping. We like shopping together," said Amy Thomas and Heather Franz, two cousins.
"She has a small business. So we've always liked to shop local," said Thomas.
"Help the little guy out," said Franz.
Organizers suggest you make a day out of it. Make memories, cross items off your gift list, and help the local economy.
"It's a lot less stressful than going to a mall and it's a lot more enjoyable than being on a computer," said Nash.
The event is open Friday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. They'll be open every weekend until December 22.
If you go and don't find anything that you like, organizers said try again the next week. Shops are rotated every weekend.