A new shopping venue, featuring local retailers under one roof, opened in downtown Tucson last weekend.
It is modeled after the co-working office concept, where businesses share space and resources.
But instead of offices, Proper Shops allows small shops to test the waters of having a physical presence downtown, without the risk of taking on a lease of their own.
Several local businesses, with a store in Tucson or an online operation, have already signed up for spots in Proper Shops at 300 E. Congress St. It is named after the former occupant Proper restaurant, said Krystal Popov, founder of the The L Offices, a flexible office space.
Krystal Popov, left, and Tracy Nicasio, opened a new shared retail space, Proper Shops, where local businesses can rent a spot to sell their products downtown.
She got the idea from small retailers who kept contacting her about renting space downtown.
"I'm a huge advocate of downtown Tucson and I know we need retail downtown but the cost of commercial retail space is really risky," Popov said. "I wanted to create this opportunity for local retailers."
The mix of businesses that have already signed on include a makeup and lingerie shop, a crystal shop and a small gallery to support local artists such as Joe Pagac, Sean Parker, Jessica Gonzales, Ignacio Garcia, Julie Bonner, Jeff Brack and Amy Lynn Bumpus.
“We were immediately on board as soon as we learned The Proper Shops were coming to downtown Tucson,” says Tony Ray Baker of The Tucson Gallery. “This is the perfect retail, co-op type space to bring The Tucson Gallery and its vision to light.
“From here we will share the works of Tucson's local artists with the world.”
Anjela Bradstreet places merchandise in her space for Volitional Health 365 at Proper Shops.
The 4,000-square-foot space is separated with divider walls and most will have windows.
Rents range from about $600 to $2,200 a month, depending on the shop size, for a minimum of three months.
Proper Shops is open Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
There is small bar inside and the patio, that Proper Shops shares with Little Love Burger, will be used for events.
The courtyard patio behind Proper Shops will be cleaned and used for periodic events.
Earlier this year, the Rio Nuevo board agreed to support the endeavor with $125,000 to help the small businesses set up their space and for marketing.
Events are something that Popov's business partner, Tracy Nicasio, will be in charge of organizing.
"My vision, in addition to creating the ultimate shopping experience for our customers, is to use this platform to serve and give back to our community by highlighting and bringing awareness to many of our local nonprofits in Tucson," she said. "We will center lots of events around various charities in our Tucson community."
Nicasio said she also wants to have an interactive element between the community and local artists.
"We want events that allow the public to speak with the artists, paint with them or have wine with them," she said. "We can’t wait to share all the fun things we have planned.”
Artist Amy Bumpus sorts greeting card prints of her work in the Tucson Gallery corner at Proper Shops.
These local merchants and artists are the initial tenants at Proper Shops:
- Willow's Bazaar Boutique: Curated trendy styles for every adventure and life’s most memorable moments.
- The Bra Spa: The place to go for all things undergarments including bras, panties, lingerie, and pajamas — both for function and fashion.
- Mineral Artisan, Stone and Steel: One-of-a-kind art and home decor using stones and steel.
- Volitional Health 365: A metaphysical crystal shop with a crystal-infused natural beauty line, wire-wrapped jewelry, and one-on-one intuitive crystal guidance sessions.
- Heart of Earth Collective: Collective creators bringing art from the heart of the Earth and offering a variety of unique jewelry, rare gems, crystals and original paintings.
- The Tucson Gallery: A small gallery supporting local artists Joe Pagac, Sean Parker, Jessica Gonzales, Ignacio Garcia, Julie Bonner, Jeff Brack and Amy Lynn Bumpus.
- Cactus Jack Beverage Co.: Offering a variety of espresso, specialty coffee drinks, boba teas and craft lemonades.
- Flirté Beauty: Clean, vegan and cruelty-free products for your lips and locks.
- Desert Mariposa, The Boho West Boutique: A women’s apparel and handbag destination with the Southwestern flare of the Old Pueblo.
- Theguywhodancesoncongress (TGWDOC Shop): A brand started by the guy who dances on Congress, whose main focus is spreading positivity.
- Braided Chain Designs: A wide range of handmade jewelry using beautiful gemstones, crystals, and glass beads wrapped with non-tarnish metals and base metals.
- Reap & Sow: A green beauty, well-being apothecary and zero-waste eco-boutique of curated wellness products and planet-friendly goods with 350+ brands.
- Sport Class Customs: A lifetime woodworking hobby turned business.
