With the gift-giving season right around the corner, BKLYN Commons is hosting their 6th annual Open Desk: Small Business Pop-Up event on Flatbush Avenue on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 5pm. The event gives over 300 members of its members and local small businesses a chance to showcase their various products and services while networking and taking part in business-building workshops and activities.
Johanne Brierre, CEO of the coworking space and founder of the pop-up shop, started the event to provide vendors who don’t have a workspace at the Commons with an opportunity to collaborate with “like-minded creatives.” The CEO relies on company partners and sponsors to make sure the event is free for vendors and attendees.
“Six years ago when we started working and building the space, that’s one of the things I wanted to do — once a year come in with a signature event for the community,” Brierre told Brooklyn Paper. “That’s how we are giving back because we know especially in the fourth quarter, holiday season is a really tough time for a lot of small businesses.”
In addition to the holiday-themed marketplace with over 40 vendors, the event features an opportunity for businessowners to network with local entrepreneurs, a health and wellness pavilion, access to financial resources, an annual pitch competition hosted by CAMBA, and presentations from Brooklyn business leaders.
“This is the year back post-COVID in person to help the small businesses in the area, especially those that have been pushed out and don’t have a brick-and-mortar [but] want to continue to build,” said Brierre. “We’re really excited to be the bridge for small businesses in Brooklyn.”
The Commons is known for being a hub for innovation, with a focus on helping small scale businesses get off the ground by giving them access to community-based work spaces, resources and experiences. Chock full of live music, art, and goods, the Pop-Up event aims to celebrate local creativity while equipping small businesses with the tools to succeed. This year’s small vendors include Zansèt Tea Co., Blush Velvet Boutique, Obocho’s Closet, Ebaata Natural Skin Care, and more.
Visit the BKLYN Commons Open Desk: Small Business Pop-Up on Nov. 17, 2022, from 5-10pm at BKLYN Commons, 495 Flatbush Ave. between Lefferts Avenue and Empire Boulevard in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. To RSVP and find more information on the event, visit the Brooklyn Commons webpage.
