Usually a pop-up shop is first, then a permanent space, but this time it’s reversed

As Have You Heard? reported Wednesday, Love of Character is opening a pop-up shop in the former Banana Republic space at Bradley Fair.

Mary Billings, who opened her shop at Douglas and Hillside four years ago, now shares the details on the new space.

“It is a great opportunity,” she says. “We’re excited to be closer to some of our east-side customers and hopefully get some more.”

At her original shop, Billings sells cards and party supplies, but she won’t be able to sell those at Bradley Fair because of exclusives other shops have.

However, the new 6,000-square-foot space will allow Billings to do a lot more events, including some Love of Character events that the shop can’t host now because it is so often booked with other parties and events.

“We’re going to do some more fun things with kids,” she says.

There will be reading parties, cupcake decorating and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

For adults, she’ll have a crafting club and calligraphy classes.

On the retail side, there will be more of a focus on children’s merchandise, such as toys, gifts and baby items.

Billings’ friend Caroline Potochnik will sell her Avery & Grey bows and headbands and bring in products such as fun T-shirts and children’s accessories, including cute socks.

There also will be home accessories, paper goods such as notepads, and stationery sets.

The pop-up store will debut on Saturday. It’ll be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Billings says she’ll be at the center for at least three months, but it could become a permanent store.

“We’re definitely testing the market out there to see how it goes,” she says.

“We’re excited to be in Bradley Fair.”

This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 5:01 AM.