Pop-UP With DECA This June!

The call for tenants for the next round of Pop-Up Shops is on!

Deadline is May 15, 2013, we’re hoping for Pop-Up-a-Looza of 16 – 18 shops opening in mid-June. Help us to renew East Danforth!

Application + FAQs + guidelines for the June launch of Pop Up Shops can be found at the DECA website. Tell your friends. Tell your family. See below for more info!

The Danforth East Community Association (DECA) is now calling for proposals for pop-up shops to take place in otherwise empty spaces on Danforth between Monarch Park Avenue and Main Street.

Deadline for applications is midnight Wednesday May 15, 2013.

The Pop-Up Project aims to bring activity to Danforth’s otherwise empty properties between Monarch Park Avenue and Main Street. DECA brokers temporary access to these spaces to allow arts projects, unique enterprises or community activities to flourish. This generates activity and interest in the east end of the city, enhances the cultural life of the city, provides opportunities to groups/individuals who would otherwise have limited access to space, and improves the look and feel of Danforth. Click here to read more about The Pop-up Project.

THERE ARE VACANT STORE FRONTS ON THE DANFORTH WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING TO FILL. ARE YOU INTERESTED?

WHAT ARE THE TERMS AND COSTS?

TERMS
Up to six-month rolling leases with a 30-day notice period.

COSTS
Variable – Participation Fee is $165 per week (to cover taxes, utilities and admin). This equates to approximately $750 per month. After the first month, tenants will be expected to pay landlords the participation fee plus 10% of sales beyond $7500 each month.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

• If you run a unique store that will draw shoppers to the neighbourhood

• If you are a maker of fashion, jewellery, housewares, art objects, toys, kids clothes, trinkets or other fantastic things; or a creator of prints, photography, illustration, sculpture, painting, textiles or other art

• If you want to run a gallery or exhibition space for yourself or a collective of artists

• If you run a fitness, activity or learning program for children, youth and/or adults

• If you sell specialty products that aren’t currently available in the neighbourhood

• If you are part of a small collective of emerging creative professionals with diverse practices but a shared vision wanting to make your own hub in a shared office space

• If you have a low impact, small scale art studio practice suited for a clean office environment (photography, illustration, design, fashion, video, animation etc)

• If you run a community/not-for-profit project which would otherwise not have access to space

THERE ARE THREE INITIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUR PROPOSAL

1. UNIQUE OR ORIGINAL PRODUCTS/WORKS
An opportunity for entrepreneurs, artists, craftspeople and designers who have products and/or activities and what to expand their audiences and test a bricks & mortar retail and gallery opportunity. They might already sell online or at markets, or have a body of works ready to show. In all instances we are looking for enterprise at a stage that won’t compete directly/unfairly with existing business. We encourage artists who create their own works and entrepreneurs who sell products not available on our strip of Danforth between Monarch Park Avenue and Main Street.

2. OPENING HOURS
The projects must be publicly accessible (shops, galleries, and activity studios), have set hours and be open five days a week (some exceptions apply, depending on location). Office or studio spaces don’t need to be open to the public, however from time to time we would expect you to participate in promotional activities such as open studio showings, or office tours. Again, you need to use the space to its full potential (not just for a few hours a week).

3. READY NOW!
You must be ready to go immediately. There is a very tight turn around to get into these spaces and to maximize the 30-day notice period. That means once we have approved your proposal, you will only have a couple of weeks to prepare the space and open up.

Remember: we want these spaces to directly benefit the creators themselves, and they cannot compete unfairly with existing city businesses between Monarch Park Avenue and Main Street.

THE SPACES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR

• Wholesalers

• Franchises

• Businesses that require extensive additional infrastructure, machinery or appliances beyond what is available i.e. restaurants; major manufacturers/factories

• Business that might disrupt surrounding businesses i.e. clubs; bars

• Businesses that do not have the appropriate licences to distribute the items they are selling, for example, alcohol

We are looking for can-do people who do interesting things and can present them in a professional and beautiful way. You need to be excited by this opportunity and plan to make the absolute most of it.

Deadline for applications is midnight Wednesday May 15, 2013.