Seattle artists present themselves in tiny pop-up shops along the waterfront

This summer, eight local artists are selling their wares in tiny metal boxes right on Seattle’s downtown waterfront. For now, it’s just a pilot program with an irregular schedule, but the vendors may return next year.

Flor Moreno has never sold her shirts and earrings in a store. For the past two years, she has relied on social media and online marketplaces to find customers.

This summer, everything changed for Moreno. The Seattle-based artist now has a prime spot on Seattle’s waterfront, just feet from the busy Pier 55.

“It’s incredible. I feel good, I’m happy and it’s a good experience for me,” she says in her pop-up shop. “It’s a good opportunity for us.”

The four boxes stand out on the concrete path. Each one is brightly colored and features a mural by a local painter. They are mini storage containers that close and lock so they can withstand any weather.

They are tiny, about 3 by 1.8 meters, and have small ramps leading into them.

“Yes, I think it’s a bit small, but it’s okay,” laughs Moreno. She also shares the space with another salesperson.

On a recent Tuesday afternoon, Moreno’s shop was the only one of the four open. Hours vary for each artist, and Friends of Waterfront Park, the group that opened the shops, says they expect each to be open at least six days a week.

Nico Onoda-McGuire, senior manager of community impact at Friends of Waterfront Park, says the group worked with local organizations to find vendors from diverse communities and backgrounds.

“Businesses that are representative of not only the waterfront neighborhoods, but also neighborhoods in the CD (Central District), the CID (Chinatown-International District) and Belltown,” Onoda-McGuire said. “We’re just making sure that people who are here, potentially tourists, get a sense of the entire Seattle communities.”

The booths will be set up next to Pier 55 through Labor Day weekend. It has not yet been decided whether the program will return next summer.

Onoda-McGuire said there is a lot of potential for merchants along the water, especially with the entire waterfront park scheduled to open next year.

“For most of these businesses, this is their first experience with a brick-and-mortar store,” Onoda-McGuire said. “So they’re learning a lot themselves and teaching us a lot about what selling in the waterfront park might look like.”

With only a pop-up shop open, business was a bit slow, but many people strolling by stopped and took selfies with the murals on the boxes.

People said they hope one thing will remain on the busy promenade: the extra tables and chairs that will be placed next to the shops.