As part of the city’s new Temporary Urbanism initiative, the DC Office of Planning awarded Mount Pleasant Main Street a grant to establish the Mt. Pleasant Temporium, a pop-up shop in an unoccupied retail space in the heart of the neighborhood’s commercial corridor. In early 2011, the Temporium engaged its community and highlighted the creative energy and retail potential of Mt. Pleasant.
Read all about this project in the Mt. Pleasant Temporium Final Report!
The Mt. Pleasant Temporium announces the completion of its 24-day experiment in temporary urbanism and sales figures that doubled expectations. Mt. Pleasant’s first pop-up shop grossed more than $31,000 in sales from its 1,030 customers, 70 percent of whom reside in the District’s Ward 1.
The Temporium, developed by Mount Pleasant Main Street (MPMS) and funded by the DC Office of Planning’s Temporary Urbanism initiative, housed 34 local artisans and crafters from Feb. 18 to March 13. Over the course of the project more than 6,800 visitors came to the Mt. Pleasant St. NW business corridor to shop at the Temporium and attend its 23 special events—which included storytelling, crafting, book readings, and live music.
The Temporium's afterschool printmaking workshop—How to Screen Print Monsters!—was attended by Bancroft Elementary School students and hosted by local printmaker Anthony Dihle. (photo by ©Renée K. Carl)
“The revenues generated by the Temporium show that creative daytime retail can be incredibly successful in Mt. Pleasant,” said Temporium project manager Jessica Scheuerman. “We hope that this project spurs more investment in the arts and retail in our neighborhood and that more people begin to discover the diverse range of shops, restaurants and experiences we already have here.”
To help activate the corridor, visitors were encouraged to explore the neighborhood and its businesses. Seven Mt. Pleasant businesses offered specials, ranging from $1 coffees to $5 discounts, to Temporium shoppers and three special events were housed elsewhere at La Casa Community Center and Don Juan Restaurant.
The Mt. Pleasant Temporium was located in an under-utilized storefront at 3068 Mt. Pleasant St. NW. The space was loaned from Nana, a clothing retailer relocating from U St. NW and re-opening this Saturday, March 19.
“My husband and I dreamed about how nice it’d be to open a store in our own neighborhood,” said Jackie Flanagan, co-owner of Nana. “Working with vibrant business owners and neighbors on the Temporium shows how great it is when reality surpasses the dream. It’s an honor to open Nana in Mt. Pleasant.”
Hello Craft, the organization that curates the popular Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair, was the vendor curator for the Temporium. “They played an invaluable role not only in curating a diverse selection of handmade goods, but in managing the nuts and bolts of setting up a retail shop including inventory management and merchandise presentation,” said Scheuerman.
Kimberly Dorn, executive director of Hello Craft, greets vendors at the Temporium's closing reception on March 13. (photo by ©Tyler Strickland)
The Mt. Pleasant Temporium was the District’s second. The first Temporium was implemented on the H Street NE corridor in July 2010. A third Temporium, the Garment District in DC’s Shaw neighborhood, closes this weekend.
“This success demonstrates how powerful it is when community members come together and build something based around their hopes for their neighborhood’s commercial strip,” said Natalie Avery, who worked on the Temporium. “Mt. Pleasant is filled with so many creative people and hidden gems. It’s been great to be part of—and see the city support—an effort that really showcases what a special and dynamic place this neighborhood is.”
MPMS, in partnership with SpeakeasyDC, Hello Craft, Radio CPR, Partners for Livable Communities, and the DC Office of Planning, developed the Mt. Pleasant Temporium. The Washington City Paper, Old School Hardware and Mythic Paint were sponsors.
“MPMS is thankful to the DC Office of Planning, its program partners and dedicated volunteers for the opportunity to implement a Temporium in Mt. Pleasant,” said Adam Hoey, president of MPMS.
For more information, please visit www.mtptemporium.com or contact Jessica Scheuerman at mtptemporium@gmail.com.
How quickly the time has gone!
The Mt. Pleasant Temporium is closing Sunday, March 13. We’re bidding adieu to Mt. Pleasant’s first pop-up store with 5 days of free events–and there’s a little something for everyone.
Check out our updated schedule below, and enjoy photos from previous events!
Free this week!
Photo credits: Brian Tropiano, Kathy Del Gesso Photography, Tom LeGro, Rakhee Jethwa, Doan Nguyen
Melissa Esposito has been crafting with paper since before she could write. Once she could write, she wrote letters to her friends and family and played at postmaster instead of with dolls. It was only a matter of time before the two came together in her handmade business, {craftgasm}.
All items are handmade with love near Dupont Circle using reclaimed and eco-friendly materials and processes. Due to the nature of the unique materials, no two items will ever be exactly alike. Opening a mailbox and finding a hand addressed letter gives a thrill that opening an email can’t replicate. Recognizing the handwriting on an envelope addressed to you feels like getting a little hug from a friend who’s miles away. Melissa makes pretty stationery in the hopes that the art of letter writing will stay alive and let future generations have a glimpse into our stories the way old letters tell us about our ancestors.
Join Melissa for her trunk show at the Mt. Pleasant Temporium!Tues. 3/8 (5:30 – 6:30 pm): Vendor Trunk Show featuring {craftgasm}: Learn how to make envelopes and origami folds that will survive the postal system.
**This class is full, to receive information about future classes sign up here.**
Saturday, March 5, 3-6 pm
Mt. Pleasant Temporium, 3068 Mt. Pleasant St.
Documenting Mount Pleasant’s Untold Stories, Part I – Go beneath the radar with Radio CPR and uncover some of the neighborhood’s secret histories and hidden gems with those that lived it. In this 3-hour workshop, you will learn the basics of audio recording and interviewing. We will go out to collect voices and stories from the Mt. Pleasant corridor with the hope of adding another layer to the quilted narrative of Mt. Pleasant.
Snacks and beverages will be provided. No experience needed.
The name Lanyapi is derived from the Louisiana French word lagniappe – a little something extra; and Lanyapi jewelry embodies this spirit of generosity and uniqueness. Each thoughtfully crafted piece tells a story. Whether it’s incorporating antique chandelier crystals from 19th century Paris or vintage perfume bottles, each design incorporates stories of the past to help the owner create her own stories going forward.
The designer, Daisy, loves imagining how the components she uses were used years ago and how now in her jewelry they can be loved all over again by someone new. Daisy grew up in the South with a family of four brothers. While the boys played video games together she filled her room with paintings and explored her mother’s closet for vintage items to add to her wardrobe.
Now living in Capitol Hill with her husband she continues to express her artistic vision through her handmade, vintage inspired jewelry.
Join Daisy for her vendor trunk show at the Temporium!
Tues. 3/1 (6 – 7 pm): Vendor Trunk Show featuring Lanyapi Designs. Local DC jewelry designer, Daisy will have her whole collection available for purchase and will be hand to talk about her work. Sparking lemonade and cookies will be served.
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