Hey guys! Well here it is... Time Zone Vintage closed it's physical location on Park Avenue in San Jose, CA in April 2011. We have now gone Mobile! Time Zone Vintage is now a Pop-Up Retail Store! My decision was based on necessity, the location on Park Avenue was not working in the 3 years I was there. I decided some radical decisions needed to be addressed if the store was to continue. My time is valuable. After much research I discovered a new trend was emerging in the Bay Area, Pop-Up Retail Stores. This trend is actually not a brand new idea it's been around since early 2003, just recently it has become poplular in California and is the new trend phenomenon! Please click on the following link to learn more about these trendy Pop-Up Shops: trendwatching.com/trends/POPUP_RETAIL.htm . Type in their search window: Pop-up Retail Store to read the article.
This was not a light decision on my part, it took alot of thought and planning and will be hard work, but in the end the benefits far outweighed the inconveniences. Namely I'm mobile! You see, I basically drive around different Bay Area cities looking for vacant commercial retail space, in a desirable area, nestled amongst or near same or similar type shops. When I find such a space I negotiate with the landlord a short term rental agreement, usually anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. I get the key and start to set up my temporary Pop-Up Retail Shop! There is alot of driving involved. Then there is packing, unpacking, setting up, afterwards tearing down, repacking and storing, all relatively in a short time span. Then doing it all over again, until the next time. The upside is I still get to choose when and where I want to open and for how long! Basically, I'm limited by my own limitations, but now I have options! Didn't have that with the permanent location. Depending on what is going on at the time, I will try to schedule my Grand Opening on a day coinciding with a community event, neighborhood downtown festival or a holiday venue. The shop itself will be that of a full-scale retail clothing store, with a sidewalk window display and mannequins, inventory on racks, shelving, floor displays and dressing rooms. I will accept credit cards and local personal checks.
Nothing has really changed except my location, in this case many locations, many times over. There is no expensive overhead, no longterm lease, no lease at all. Electricity is paid only for the time I'm open. My cell is my business phone and the internet my target audience. I'll use my Website: www.timezonevintage.com, Facebook, Twitter and other means of social networking to get the word out for my next Pop-Up Retail Store location. The best part is I have friends and associates in the industry who want to join me in my Pop-Up Retail Shop! We all just split the rent, utilities and any out-of-pocket expenses and everyone keeps their own sales! An additional perk is meeting and making new friends and contacts at every new Pop-Up Retail Store location. What could be better than that!
Another change was introducing, new and gently worn Designer Labled clothing (when I come across it), Savvy sophisticated clothing, newer accessories and jewelry for both men and women. Including some unique collectibles. I will always carry more Vintage clothing than the latter, just because it's what I'm known for. I've always wanted to expand my clothing tastes, now I can. Not only do I feed the need for the Vintage Life-stylists, Vintage Enthusiasts, but also for the Fashion Conscious Divas! There will be a little something for everyone!
Last, but not least; I have opened an Ebay and ProStore (currently both are still under construction). Showcased will be same and simliar inventory as in the Pop-Up Shops. The ProStore will have more collectibles and then some. An announcement will be made shortly, once the Ebay and ProStore are 100% up and running. I'm so excited for the new direction my store, TiME ZoNE ViNTAGE has taken and can't wait to share it with all of you; my fans, friends and customers. I will always continue to do fashion shoots, shows and spreads, it's the artist in me, and post them here and on my Website. As of today, right now, I've expanded my horizons and it's gonna be a Blast!
Slideshow: photography by www.moyafotografx.com
