Something spectacular is happening in Oakland, California: 'Popup Hood,' an initiative to help small businesses, is literally popping up. popuphood is an endeavor to help connect small businesses, designers and entrepreneurs with open spaces. Many of the empty spaces in question are those that have fell victim to the recession that has torn through the United States and Western Europe.
The project has a goal of renovating the empty spaces in its community. After engaging, the enterprising individual is then given six months of free rental space in order to spark the community and allow the business to develop some roots to grow. popuphood is one of several social initiatives created in recent years, all as a way to create a more prosperous environment and to repair places that might be depleted.
The popuphood program was created by Alfonso Dominquez and Sarah Filley in December of 2011. It makes use of "cross-sector partnerships with state and federal governments and economic development professionals," according to the website. One can only wish that popuphood starts popping up in more hoods soon.
Contact Information
Popup Hood website
Popup Hood on Twitter
Popup Hood on Facebook
Business-Generating Grants
Popuphood Allows Entrepreneurs Six Months Rent Free
Trend Themes
1. Small Business Support - Popuphood's initiative to connect small businesses, designers, and entrepreneurs with open spaces can inspire other programs to provide support for small businesses in their communities.
2. Renovating Empty Spaces - The goal of popuphood to renovate empty spaces and provide free rental space can create opportunities for revitalizing communities and attracting new businesses.
3. Partnerships for Economic Development - Popuphood's cross-sector partnerships with government and economic development professionals can encourage more collaborations to drive economic growth and development.
Industry Implications
1. Real Estate - Popuphood's program of renovating and providing rental space in empty properties can disrupt the real estate industry by transforming unused spaces into thriving businesses.
2. Retail - Popuphood's support for small businesses and designers can disrupt the retail industry by promoting unique and local products and experiences.
3. Community Development - Popuphood's initiative can disrupt the community development industry by revitalizing neighborhoods and creating a more prosperous environment for residents and businesses.