Holiday Pop-Up Shopping Returning To Melrose

MELROSE, MA — A holiday shopping program has returned to downtown Melrose.

The city launched its fourth annual holiday pop-up on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the courtyard of the Melrose Family YMCA on 497 Main St. Small businesses, artists, and makers will take week-long turns selling their products, with the final vendors scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec. 6.

The program is fully funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s Community Mitigation Fund. It gives businesses without permanent storefronts an opportunity to reach customers during the holiday shopping season.

“This program allows smaller businesses without a traditional brick-and-mortar location to introduce their products to a wider audience during peak holiday shopping season in a way they would not be able to otherwise,” Mayor Jen Grigoraitis said. “We are grateful for the funding received from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to make the program possible, and to the Melrose Family YMCA for their continued partnership in making Melrose’s downtown a thriving place.”

The city is working with UpNext, a Newton-based, woman-owned business that connects emerging brands with available retail spaces. Vendors will operate out of an 8-by-10-foot mobile retail unit outside the YMCA. UpNext lists minimum hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The pop-up will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

“The Melrose Family YMCA is happy to continue supporting the City’s Project: Pop-Up. As a long-standing downtown business and community organization, we understand how important it is for residents to shop and do business locally,” Katelyn Papadopoulos, senior branch executive director of YMCA Metro North’s Melrose branch, said.

Melrose first launched Project: Pop-Up in fall 2021 as part of its economic recovery efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The original program brought small retailers, artists, and makers into vacant storefronts at reduced costs for up to a year. Participants also received support with marketing, signage, and events. Paper & Clay, a previous participant, later established a permanent location on 955 Main St., according to the city.

Businesses participating in this year’s holiday program are required to make a $200 donation to the YMCA for each week of operation. Vendors sharing the space can split the donation, with utilities and Wi-Fi included.

The vendor schedule is as follows:

• Nov. 11–15: Jacqueline Sokol Art of Melrose will sell art and home decor. Patel & Co of Tewksbury will offer accessories, bags, and totes.
• Nov. 18–22: The Book Bouquet Gift Shop of Melrose will offer “Blind Date with a Book” gifts. Out of the Sea Studio, now based in Maine, will sell art and home decor.
• Nov. 25–29: Silver and Threads of Melrose will sell jewelry and accessories. The pop-up will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
• Dec. 2–6: JH Creations of Saugus will offer keychains and charms. Jill Paz Illustrations of Stoneham will sell prints and holiday decor.

The final weekend will also feature a children’s mini market with at least three kid-run brands.

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