Popping Up Entrepreneurs can showcase goods at two new pop-up shops

By Collin Kelley

Intown’s evolving retail landscape is making way for two innovative pop-up shops at high profile locations giving local entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their goods.

The Village at PCM

The Village at Ponce City Market – a marketplace offering apparel, home goods, body products and other goods from local Black entrepreneurs – opened just before the holidays at the Old Fourth Ward shopping and dining destination.

Located on the Second Floor of the Central Food Hall next to Root Baking Co., the store features a modern, minimalist look and showcases individual brand identities. Makers include Hairbrella, J. Dow Fitness, Abeille Creations, Just Add Honey Tea Compnay, The Muted Home, World of Unoia, Savoir

Faire, Miso Living, and more.

The shop was created by Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, creator of The Village Market – an online shopping hub and networking site for Black-owned businesses that has also become well-known for its regular marketplace events and weekend pop-ups at malls.

The Village Market now reaches small businesses in

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Lalani plans to extend the nightlife and energy created by the popular Masquerade music venue in Kenny’s Alley by creating outdoor patios and places for bands to perform.

“We are passionate about Downtown Atlanta and its future as a lively city center with walkable streets and exceptional entertainment,” Lalani said. “We look forward to immersing ourselves in the community and working with the brightest minds in the business to bring the vision for Underground Atlanta to life.”

Lalani said he would assemble a team of top real estate experts to collaborate on the project, including civil engineers, urban planners, architects and JV partners. He is also commissioning a feasibility study for the district.

Lalani said he is open to exploring partnerships with the right investors, but intends to retain an ownership stake in each parcel to ensure consistency throughout the district.

According to the press release, Lalani has worked in retail his whole life, starting out as a store clerk, and he bought his first real estate property in 2012. He has since grown BFG’s real estate portfolio to more than one million square feet of commercial, retail and office space, with the vast majority of properties located in Georgia. The core business strategy for BFG is to buy underperforming assets and add value through renovations and leasing strategies. Lalani is also the CEO of Lucky Fortune, a coin operated amusement machine (COAM) company, which is licensed by the Georgia Lottery Corporation.