So far, none of the participants have opted to make their temporary storefront permanent, but that’s the ultimate goal.
“That is our hope,” said Sarah Wiebenson, the director of economic development at the Downtown Denver Partnership and the point person for Pop-Up Denver. “Eventually they’ll be given this runway to success, that they have the time to build up a customer base by not paying base rent.”
Landlords have been pleased with the results, according to Wiebenson, even though it means they’re not collecting rent on the real estate.
“When you have foot traffic coming and going from the pop-up, that increases the visibility for the lease-paying tenants next door. It also shows the viability of a space that may have sat empty for quite a long time,” she said.
Hart Van Denburg/CPR NewsPedestrians pass papered-over windows of an empty retail space on the 16th Street Mall in Denver, Wednesday, Sept. 14,…
