Pop into the Lawrenceville Pop-Up Market
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When Rona Chang saw the impact that covid-19 had on fellow small businesses, she literally took to the street.
Chang organized a pop-up market in September in Lawrenceville for vendors that relied upon in-person shopping as their primary income. Chang, who manages her business, Otto Finn, out of Radiant Hall Studios on Plummer Street, realized an outdoor market was feasible even with covid restrictions.
“It just felt like asking your neighbors if we could use their sidewalk,” Chang said.
Lasting into late November, the market allowed vendors each week to sell crafted items in front of Radiant Hall and on neighboring streets.
“I was familiar with the maker scene and in touch with people and checking in with them,” Chang said. “It was very clear that some people were heavily impacted by the shutdown of their stores. Some people just didn’t have any income.”
The Lawrenceville pop-up shop series is back this summer. The event, which is being organized by Radiant Hall, started in May and looks a little different this year.
“It’s a little bit insane to me,” said Chang, who has lived in Lawrenceville since 2015.
This summer, the pop-ups are taking place in four locations between 41st and 44th streets: Attack Theatre on Butler Street, Radiant Hall Studios on Plummer, Ice House Studios on the corner of 43rd and Willow streets, and Bay 41 on 41st Street.
“It originally started out as an event that was meant to combat the effects that covid had on small, creative businesses,” Radiant Hall membership manager Nathan Bussard said. “Though we had a lot of government aid and other initiatives, we still had a lot of small businesses that were left in the dust. Rona started this as a way to really combat that — not only for herself but for other businesses we are connected to — and to create as much as opportunity as possible.”
Another market will take place this weekend, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Vendors offer a variety of products, including vintage items, décor, clothing, food and drink, art, handmade candles and soaps, and skincare products. Visitors can even get a portrait taken by vendors Otto Finn and Safran Everyday who have recently been hosting pop-up photo shoots. A coffee roaster vendor also will be present.
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The market takes place biweekly, with July 24, Aug. 7, and Aug. 21 as the other summer dates. The series is scheduled to continue into the fall.
Last year featured about three to four vendors each week. This year, 65 to 70 vendors are participating. About 50 vendors are expected for the fall. Dates and locations are yet to be determined.
Wearing masks is not mandatory, but it is encouraged for unvaccinated attendees.
“It is beginning to change in the sense with what is needed post-covid,” Bussard said. “It is now more of a way to continue the momentum of the art scene in Pittsburgh before covid. It is a way for people to see what businesses are out there and find new ones.”