Pop-up Shops and Restaurants Grab Temporary Spaces and Permanent Fans

Image Source: biggayicecream.com

Pop-up restaurants evolved to ubiquity in 2011, during which news of temporary eateries—from late-night casuals like Sloppy Town in Portland, Ore., to high-end, packed-house events like LudoBites in Los Angeles—flooded in steadily like Twitter feed updates. What’s all the appeal? To diners, it’s that now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t exclusivity; to chefs, culinary freedom (versus five- or 10-year leases) or a low-risk opportunity to test a concept. Filipino restaurant Maharlika in New York City started as a brunch pop-up before taking up a permanent space this summer. Even food trucks have gotten in on the game. NYC’s Big Gay Ice Cream Truck set up a temporary shop in Cape Cod, Mass., and the BBQ Bus is the first in a line of D.C.-based food trucks setting up shop in vacant buildings sponsored by Uncurbed DC. Cheeses of France showed that retail has a place in the pop-up world, opening up cafes and cheese shops across the country in rented locations that sell wedges and wheels at near-wholesale prices. Expect pop-ups to keep doing what they do best for some time to come. —Eva Meszaros

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