
Raleigh, North Carolina, is one of America's early planned American cities that cropped up after the American Revolutionary War. Its streets are lined with oak trees, giving it the "City of Oaks" nickname. And while exploring different places around town, visit the downtown Raleigh market and stop by a pop up store along Martin Street.
Raleigh has many women-owned businesses, including food trucks and vintage sellers, giving the area its identity. As such, it's a great place for up-and-coming retailers to set up a storefront or plan a seasonal pop up event.
A pop up shop is a marketing plan for online vendors, artists, and small businesses who want to increase their community presence or benefit from a high-traffic area without taking up a long-term lease. Local resources, including the Wake Tech Entrepreneurship & Small Business Center and Giggster's 31 pop up spaces in Raleigh, can benefit retailers and other businesses.
Business ownership is part of what makes Raleigh a thriving city. Martin Street is known for its pop up shops. Small businesses can benefit immensely from the high foot traffic and business counseling provided by an established storefront location leasing pop up spaces. Giggster can help you find pop up spaces in Raleigh, NC, to launch your product or boost your seasonal sales.
A shopping mall is an excellent place to set up a pop up shop. The venue draws large crowds, promising lots of exposure, and many have ready-to-use kiosks for rent. In most cases, you can lease a pop up space in a retail store within the mall or occupy an area in the shared spaces.
A downtown Raleigh art gallery is the perfect venue for a creative pop up event. Collaborate with local artists to commission custom pieces or plan your function to align with current exhibits.
A brewery is one of the best places to plan a food-related pop up event. The establishment can host several brewers and guests ready to sample different brews and learn about ideal alcohol and food pairings.
Music venues are favorites among companies planning pop up experiences. These locations can accommodate crowds and host grand events that unite different vendors.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Giggster can help you find scores of pop up spaces in Raleigh that meet your requirements. Browse our listings in downtown Raleigh, Martin Street, and other neighborhoods.
Hassle-Free Booking: Our website makes it easier to find a pop-up shop or space anywhere in North Carolina. Use Giggster's search filters to narrow your options and quickly book a great place.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If you need to change your booking date or cancel entirely, you can do so at no cost within 24 hours of confirmation. We won't charge you if your pop up event or business experience is at least 48 hours away.
Platform Protections: Giggster has optional platform protections that can back your booking when you lease Day Office or any other pop up shop from our website. After checkout, purchase an event liability policy or our damage protection plan.
Giggster can help you find pop up spaces in Raleigh and elsewhere in North Carolina. However, knowing the advantages and potential setbacks can help you determine where to set up a pop up store around town before you sign a rental contract.
Advantages
Raleigh is a short drive from Chapel Hill and other Orange and Durham County towns. It's accessible from most North Carolina cities and beyond, making it the perfect place to plan a pop up experience or business counseling targeting entrepreneurs from far and wide.
The city has a mild climate and generally comfortable conditions throughout the year. Its scenic landscapes make it the best setting for an outdoor pop up event.
Raleigh has a reputation for having a welcoming and friendly community that is resourceful to small businesses planning a pop up market. The city also has resources like the Wake Tech Entrepreneurship & Small Business Center, which helps vendors establish themselves in different fields.
Disadvantages
While you might strike gold renting a downtown Raleigh pop up store, the area has the most traffic. If there is congestion in front of your venue, you may see fewer people stop by.
The local public transit system is lacking; in most cases, you'll need a private car to get anywhere on time.
Summer humidity can make conditions a challenge, whether renting a pop up shop inside a mall or leasing a curbside or storefront location.
Giggster has a range of fabulous locations in Raleigh and the rest of North Carolina that meet your requirements. Here are our recommendations for the top store and event or activity pairings to help you rent the best pop up shop.
Malls – Temporary Outlets. The bustling location provides high foot traffic and a broad range of customers ready to buy different products. The venue favors small businesses or online stores testing or launching new products.
Outdoor Spaces – Seasonal Markets. Sidewalks, dead-end streets, mall parking lots, and parks are among the most popular outdoor spaces that can double as pop up venues. They are ideal for seasonal markets, gathering food vendors and other local artisans to sell their wares.
Restaurants and Bars – Food and Drink Tastings. A restaurant or bar is an excellent location for a food-tasting event. They function as dining spaces and have everything a chef needs to host a tasting experience, or a budding sauce maker needs to launch their store-bought brand.
Galleries – Photography and Art Exhibitions. Galleries are a canvas for launching different creative talents. They are the best places for photographers and artists to gain exposure by hosting collective or individual exhibitions.
Warehouses – Fashion Experiences. There's no better runway than a warehouse with a raw, industrial aesthetic! The venue can host a fashion pop up by local design artists to promote their brands.
The goal of establishing a pop up store should be to experience a human connection with your customers as much as it is about promoting your brand. An in-person review can help your business restructure its services and operate more efficiently. Here are our tried and tested tips to help you plan for success.
Visit the Space – Location is king, and Giggster has you covered. Scroll through our inspirational listings and rent the right venue. Pictures can only tell you so much about the location, but you can also take a virtual tour of the property, which many Giggster listings provide.
Create an Optimal Layout – Attendees should have a memorable experience from the moment they walk into the space. Set up the venue in a fun way that guides the flow through the room, encouraging guests to explore different products and make purchases.
Hire Employees – Even if your friends offer a helping hand, hiring employees is professional. For example, someone could sign up attendees for an exclusive business event or hire someone knowledgeable about answering customer questions and helping with sales.
Get Feedback – Tracking your sales helps determine whether the event helped you break even or attract new customers. You can also ask customers for feedback through conversations and surveys to improve your services or products.
Planning a pop up event or hosting a seasonal market will cost a tidy sum. Giggster can help you find affordable pop up spaces in Raleigh and the rest of North Carolina, starting at $40/hour. That is the first way to save money when setting up a pop up store, and here are other tips for spending less.
Search for an affordable retail space both inside or outside Downtown Raleigh.
Although the downtown area might have accessible business locations, it is also expensive. Giggster can help you rent an affordable venue anywhere in town and provide everything you need for your event or temporary shop.
Look for sponsorships and partnerships.
Collaborate with other businesses to plan the event or look into getting sponsorships. Artists hosting an exhibition can promote brands in exchange for products and services to help with the function.
Choose a simple design layout.
Rent a ready-to-use kiosk or create a fun and simple in-store layout. DIYing your signage and display tables will save you a lot of money.
You'll see there is an abundance of spectacular pop up spaces in Raleigh. Be inspired by any one of our unique and affordable listings, and rent a fun venue for your event. From lofts to private clubs, you'll quickly find the best places in town to showcase your product.