The world as we know it is constantly speeding up as humans and technology advance. Trends come and go; here for a day, and gone in the next. Even though we as humans tend be creatures loyal to our habits, we also tend to love the rush of the fast-paced and always changing. For some of us, like inhabitants of the standstill of the Midwest, it can be hard to keep up with the latest. However, there is a new trend, seeming to spread throughout the country, that will allow those of us who value feeling of “limited time only”: pop-up shops.

  The concept of pop-up shops is simple: a store that rents out a location for a short time, one day to a few weeks, and then packs up shop, and moves on. This may seem a bit unconventional to the loyal Target frequenter, but there’s something about this concept that excites and intrigues people.   According to consumers, Pop-up shops enhance the shopping experience.  These stores allow shoppers to be exposed to specific products, providing them with the opportunity to learn about new creative brands. “Identify your brand and the story behind it. Since pop-ups lend themselves to creativity, what’s the creative aspect of your brand? A pop-up allows merchants to be creative and tell a story,” says Jeremy Baras, CEO of PopUp Republic. That, combined with the thought of missing out if you don’t get it before it’s gone, makes for a large crowd of shoppers.

  If the idea of temporary shops doesn’t sell you, then it may be the people behind them. More and more celebrities are using pop-up shops the sell their own brands in major cities.

“Pop up shops are only appealing if the person or the brand behind them is relevant and popular. The person or brand behind the shop makes a pop up shop appealing,” said senior Alfonso Soto.

 Stars like rapper, Kanye West, and Rihanna have already had successful shops in the Chicago area. Kanye West has had two pop-up shops of his own in the past few years.  The first one, three years ago for his Yeezus tour, was located in downtown Chicago.  This shop had a minimalist aesthetic that included white walls, the the dirt bike used in one of his previous music videos.  The second of his shops was for his Life of Pablo tour. It was entitled “Pablo” and took place in Northbrook. This shop too was decked out in all white.  Both shops sold tour merchandise, and lasted 72 hours.  Rihanna, alongside Puma, launched a pop-up shop in Schaumburg that sold sneakers and clothing from her Fenty line.  

  Though the prospect of celebrity pop-up shops in Northwest Indiana sounds pretty appealing, no stars have had any plans to set up shop in our local storefronts. Luckily, celebrities aren’t the only ones who are doing them. Businesses around the area have had their own contributions to the trend. Highland had their annual Holiday Pop-up Shop on December 7 at the Silver Buckle Saloon. This pop-up shop had a toy drive, raffles, giveaways, crafters, food vendors, a silent auction, and cocktail sampling.  This was the 6th annual installment of this pop-up shop.  

  Even if you are uninterested in the shops that have taken place, there is a possibility to get in on the trend. Local can take advantage of these shops by creating their own.

  “My friend had a pop up shop up at Royal Skate shop in lansing for his new brand, Omas Motif. It was pretty cool; it was lots of creative people–painters, rappers, stylists just talking and having a good time,” said Soto.