Love Shop Vintage Popup at Record Guys on Feb. 9
A People Party Productions and Record Guys will co-host the Love Shop Vintage Popup on Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
A People Party Productions hosts many popups in Texas, but is best known in the Abilene community for their bi-annual Craft Fairs.
At each craft fair, the group collaborates with up to 50 vendors and small business owners to sell unique products.
Jen Harmel, founder and curator of A People Party Productions, said the craft fairs have grown from about 20 to 50 vendors over the course of a few years, giving them the opportunity to reach out to local vendors for future events.
Harmel said the popups have become an opportunity for businesses and vendors to collaborate in marketing and sales of their products.
Recently, they have coordinated multiple popups in Austin, helping them recruit people from the handmade market across central and west Texas.
“It’s a great opportunity for people who have full time jobs and hobbies on the side to have an opportunity to present their product or even develop their brand and gain clientele,” Harmel said. “With the course of being an event coordinator for these markets, we realized it’s really a marketing tool for the people who participate and sell their products.”
As A People Party Productions began hosting smaller popups in other cities, they decided to look into hosting similar events in Abilene between the two craft fairs.
Harmel said she struggled to find a business in Abilene that was willing to co-host the vintage popup, as several local businesses do not see the value in collaborations for marketing events.
“Many Abilene businesses either don’t see the value of the marketing that we provide through an event that brings plenty of foot traffic, or they’re just so busy that they can’t really stop to get a full idea of the concept we are trying to give them,” Harmel said. “So it’s really a partnership we’re looking for, and it costs nothing to the business we co-host with.”
(Photo courtesy of Record Guys)
When she reached out to Record Guys, she found a co-host that was eager to work on a themed event.
“When I reached out to the owner of Record Guys, I could tell that he understood the way his business would benefit from us being there, and he didn’t see us as an intrusion, but as a draw,” Harmel said. “So he’s definitely taking advantage of that and having some record sales.
“Overall, we were looking for someone who values and appreciates the time and attention we put into all of our marketing, branding, and coordinating, but also can provide a cool vibe for the event that we’re going for.”
Harmel said she is most excited to finally be able to participate in a popup shop.
“I am typically so tied up in the event coordination and management, that I cannot participate in my own events,” Harmel said. “So I am really excited to be a vendor at this popup.”
Harmel said she has always been interested in vintage homemade goods and thrifting, but recently opened her side business, Esther’s Vintage Thrift, where she began selling all of the inventory she has collected over the years.
“After meeting other small businesses that focus on vintage, I wanted to pull us together and throw a popup that was small enough for me to be able to participate in my own event,” Harmel said. “So I’ll be selling home goods and things I’ve thrifted at this event.”
Vendors include:
Esther’s Vintage Thrift – @esthersvintagethrift
Hello Retro – @helloretrotx
Salty Lady Vintage – @saltyladyvintage
Wilderness Sister – @wildernesssister
Weather permitting, the event will take place inside and out of Record Guys. Any changes due to weather will be posted online.
