For the first time, Hamilton Place mall is opening up some of its space for so-called pop-up shops as it aims to woo Chattanooga area merchants who've dreamed of selling goods in the center.
Tenants can rent the space for as little as one week at a time for only $1,000, according to the mall. The cost includes utilities, fixtures, decor, tables, hangers, mannequins and a fitting room, and the merchants then can see if they want to lease permanent locations in the mall.
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A pop-up shop social will is set for Thursday, May 9, from 3 to 6 p.m. to showcase the space at Hamilton Place mall.
Taffany Britton, Hamilton Place's specialty leasing manager, said the mall is offering the turn-key space that gives local merchants, artisans, designers and others the opportunity to sell alongside national retailers at a nominal rate.
"We're hoping to pull in some of the local flavor that makes Chattanooga so unique," said Britton. "There are so many beautiful local boutiques that would do well inside the mall and enhance our shoppers' experience."
The pop-up space is located in "a premium location" on the center's upper level next to Bath & Body Works, according to the mall. Tenants will receive marketing exposure on the mall's website along with two vinyl signs with the store's name.
The mall, the Chattanooga area's biggest shopping center, is 98% leased up. But store owners can test out space in the mall and benefit from the exposure to steady traffic and sales, according to the center.
Hamilton Place averages more than 30,000 visitors per day during busy seasons, and those shoppers spent more than $208 million on site last year, mall figures show.
Taylor Bostwick, the mall's marketing director, said that owner CBL Properties has tried out pop-up leasing at its centers in Huntsville, Alabama, and Lexington, Kentucky.
"We hope these are successful and rent a more permanent location," she said.
Bostwick said the mall is targeting some downtown Chattanooga retailers who may be interested.
"We'd love to have people come up and see the space," she said. "It's modern and sleek and it's trying to capture those great local boutiques and flair we're seeing downtown. We want some of that in the mall. We want to bring them in."
A pop-up shop social is set for Thursday, May 9, from 3 to 6 p.m. to showcase the new space, Bostwick said.
In the past, the mall has rented out short-term kiosks, but this effort is different, she said.
"Everything is included down to the hangars we're providing," Bostwick said.
She said there are no plans to offer the program at Northgate Mall in Hixson.
Hamilton Place mall already is undergoing its biggest makeover in its 32-year history with the multimillion-dollar revamp of the former Sears store and the parking lots around the space.
The former Sears auto center has been dismantled and work is ongoing in the building to house a Dick's Sporting Goods store, which is shifting from across Gunbarrel Road, and Dave & Buster's restaurant and entertainment complex.
In the parking lots around the building, a new restaurant is to open in a standalone building much like The Cheesecake Factory, which was the first part of the redevelopment of Sears and the area near it.
A 135-room Aloft Hotel by Marriott also is to go up near the Sears store.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.