What People Actually Buy at a Small-Town Pop-Up

There is something very different about watching people shop in person.

Online, I can see clicks and page views and what gets added to carts. At a pop-up, I get to watch what people actually pick up. What they laugh at. What they call their friend over to see. What they immediately decide is “so-and-so’s birthday present.”

And after Golden Hour last week, I definitely noticed a few things.

First: people really do love local.

Our Chatham-Kent pieces got a lot of attention, including the Halfway to Everywhere tee, which continues to make me happy because it is such a very specific little CK joke.

There is something about wearing a place you belong to. Not necessarily in a giant souvenir-shirt kind of way, but in a quieter, if you know, you know way.

That is exactly what I want our CK collection to feel like.

Then there were the little things.

Stickers went. Birthday cards went. Coasters went. Mugs went.

Things you can pick up, smile at and immediately know what you’re going to do with them.

I think there is something to that.

Not every purchase needs to be A Purchase.

Sometimes you just want a really good mug.

Sometimes you see a sticker and think, yep, that belongs on my water bottle.

Sometimes you remember someone’s birthday is next week and find the card that is exactly right.

And sometimes you buy yourself a tote bag because apparently no human being has ever had enough tote bags.

Tote bags did very well.

I support this completely.

The other thing people were clearly drawn to was anything with some personality.

Jess from Thrifted Styles had a really good night with her vintage pieces, and it was fun watching people go through the racks looking for the thing that felt like them.

That is one of the things I love about vintage, and honestly one of the things I’m trying to build into The Curious Gift Co. too.

I don’t really want a shop full of things that are simply nice.

I want the thing you pick up and immediately think:

Oh. That’s me.

Or:

I know exactly who needs this.

That is the sweet spot.

And maybe that was my biggest takeaway from Golden Hour.

People were drawn to things that told a tiny story about them.

Where they live.

What they like.

Who they’re shopping for.

What makes them laugh.

What they want sitting beside their coffee maker every morning.

Which, when I think about it, is probably why I started this shop in the first place.

I love finding the things that are just a little different. The good shirt. The funny card. The perfect mug. The oddly specific gift that makes someone say, “Where did you FIND this?”

Doing more markets and pop-ups has also been a very useful reminder that the things I love online aren't always the same things people immediately reach for in person.

And I’m paying attention.

As I start choosing more for fall and, somehow, already thinking about Christmas, I’m keeping all of this in mind.

More local.

More useful little treats.

More personality.

More things that feel like someone.

Because apparently that is what we’re all looking for.

That, and another tote bag.