FOCAL POINT STYLING: Vintage Market Pop-Up Shop: September's Sweet Salvage

Sweet Salvage did it again! Another fantastic monthly installment of visual splendor! Coming across this Vintage Market Monthly Pop-Up Shop has definitely been a bright spot since moving here to Arizona. This shop merges the thrill of thrift or vintage hunting with the visual excitement retailers these days have thrown to the wayside. Sweet Salvage artfully layers dramatic vignettes, based on a monthly evolving theme, and proves "more is more" is a GOOD thing. This was my third visit and tour of this vintage pop-up market, curated by local vintage dealers, and I have not yet been disappointed. Sure, big-box retailers like ZGallerie, Pottery Barn, West Elm and Crate & Barrel execute floor moves and store sets, tweak visual presentation monthly or weekly, and may even flip the store merchandise flow (tip: it's a merchandising trick to make you believe what is old is new again), but they all play it "safe". The visual presentation at Sweet Salvage transports you another time or location, and not always just to celebrate a season or a holiday... but Fall did kick off this past weekend and touring Sweet Salvage was a wonderful way to be inspired for the new season...

This month's installment was called "Wicked Faire", a theme chosen from the engagement of their fans on the Sweet Salvage Facebook page. This concept (IMO) totally beats out the "centralized" format of big-box stores. Why? Because it speaks to the local market. (I wish more of the big-box retailers would have select stores with these special localized shops!!) Sweet Salvage brings to life the imagination of what people want to see. This month's Wicked Faire was a combination of a vintage Halloween + Fall finds, with a bit of "steampunk style" mixed in and it just works!

Touring big-box stores is a great way to get inspiration for color combinations or seasonal changes. Touring specialty shops in your area is a wonderful way to support your local businesses. Did I buy something during this visit? No... but I did share my photos I shot on Facebook and that helps other locals to know about this shop. I also tweeted about the shop and from the shop, which is another way to help hype up a pop-up shop. The crowds seem to be increasing, and Sweet Salvage even introduced a Pre-View Party on Wednesday evening (no shopping, just looking) which is another way to help increase hype & traffic to a pop-up shop. Next months installment is called French Market and I'm looking forward to it. If you're in the Phoenix area, I hope to see you there!