Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1525985
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 S E P T E M B E R 2 , 2 0 2 4 F O C U S S TA R T U P S / E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P $80 billion market e business model behind pop-up or temporary retail can take many forms, from a shopping-mall kiosk to a stand or table at a market, established retailer or other venue. e supersized version comes with the annual Spirit Halloween big-box takeovers in shopping centers nationwide to peddle costumes and decorations that take their final "boo" after Nov. 1. While the spooky fad yields once-a-year stores in South Portland, Biddeford, Auburn, Augusta and Bangor, the pop-up concept also strikes a chord with many small retailers and startups, in a state powered by close to 150,000 small businesses. "One of the appeals of pop-up is it's a quick way to get out and interact with customers without hav- ing the overhead of a permanent storefront," says Diane Sturgeon, the Maine district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration. "It's a great way to expand your customer base." Across the United States, pop-up retail — including food trucks, farmers markets and garage SALES@WAREBUTLER.COM Ware-Butler will supply products to earthwork and concrete jobs, roads/ bridges/construction jobs, grow businesses, storage units, livestock farms, health centers and commercial buildings of all types, infrastructure projects such as sand-salt sheds and municipal buildings, etc. WAREBUTLER.COM CONTACT US for your non-residential and commercial construction needs statewide in Maine. Put our statewide buying power and experienced sales team to work for you! Fabric / Pipe / Culverts / Styrofoam insulation / Construction lumber Sheet goods / Millwork / Metal roofing and siding products PRODUCTS OFFERED: AND MORE! C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R Scarborough-based jewelry designer Kira Sangsap of Choo 11 sells her wares in a rented space inside the Freeport Market.