Twelve businesses open for two weeks in Red River District

Twelve of the first Pop UP businesses moved into their Red River District locations and are open for business through May 23.

Liz Swaine, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, said the DDA received more than 30 proposals for the two-week rentfree project aimed to grow downtown Shreveport.

“We made our decisions based on their strength of the proposal, their past business experience and the excitement and interest we thought the business would bring,” Swaine said. “We looked at possible synergies between the businesses and what they required in terms of space and amenities.”

The 12 Pop UP businesses offer a variety of services in hope to cater to a local crowd. The businesses are: SPACE: Interiors; Wired & Sassy, LLC; Ark-La-Tex 3D Techonology; PhotoGraphix; Three Sisters Gallery; Ambit Supply Co.; Sarah Joy Lewis Fine Art; My Pastry Chef; Haute Goat Creamery; Café Camellia; Sherry’s Diner; The Green House Food Truck.

Swaine said in addition to rent and free utilities, the DDA is handling advertising the businesses and events, providing signage and professional banking and marketing advice from Citizens National Bank and UnCommon Sense Marketing.

Mark Holstrom, co-owner of Ark-La- Tex 3D Techonology, was first interested in this project because of the business’ need to have a store front.

“We hope to acquire an excessive amount exposure that will entice people and business of all types to seek out our services and products,” Holstrom said. “Our overall goal is to earn enough profit through sales and services that we can establish our retail store in the Ark-La- Tex region, preferably in downtown Shreveport.”

Haute Goat Creamery is also interested in an established retail space.

“The Pop UP is a low cost low risk way to determine if we can justify a retail space in Shreveport,” Laura Vanderbilt, president of Haute Goat Creamery, said. “Downtown Shreveport is a vibrant area with a lot business and cultural activity that is appealing to us as small business owners.”

Tracy McComic, owner of Wired & Sassy, was encouraged to submit a proposal for her metal clay jewelry business. She said she hopes this project will give her a better understanding of her customers.

“I hope this project will provide me with a realistic idea of what it will take for me to make the next step in my business development journey and obtain a physical location where customers can easily access my work and services on a daily basis,” McComic said. “I also hope to gain a better knowledge of what customers want. I am excited to use this opportunity to show the community what Wired & Sassy has to offer and grow my customer base.”

Restaurants such as the Green House Food Truck are eager to cater to the downtown crowd.

“[The location] is in the heart of a very busy and working population,” Adrienne Sanders-Adams, of the Green House Food Truck, said. “We are ready to serve hungry employers and employees along with those who have other business in the downtown area.”

The Pop UP businesses this month are the first part of three phases set by the DDA. The second phase will be near the Central Business District in September, followed by the third phase in Shreveport Common in the late fall.

Swaine said locals have voiced their excitement about the Pop UP project.

“We can tell that Pop UP is already successful in increasing downtown vibrancy,” Swaine said.