New Candle Shop Opens Downtown

The newest Pop-Up Shop, part of an initiative to fill downtown storefronts called Activated Spaces opened today!  Starred by Tamika, located at 37 S. St. Clair in St. Clair Lofts is a candle shop featuring candle workshops and other events. Specials throughout the day include free Starred tote bags to the first 20 customers, and anyone who registers private group candle-making sessions in advance will receive a grand opening discount.

The new shop is a part of the eleventh phase of the Pop-Up Project. Additional pop-up shops are in lease negotiations and will be announced later. “We applied for the pop-up shop project because our business was growing and we needed to expand out of our home,” said co-owner Tamika Doakes. “We love how eclectic the downtown scene is and we knew we wanted to open a store here.” Starred by Tamika is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Private candle-making sessions are available after regular hours by appointment only.

This Activated Spaces program builds on the success of the first ten phases of the Pop-Up Project, launched in November 2011. The Pop-Up Project provides potential business owners the opportunity for shorter leases at below-market rates as a way for them to jump-start their businesses and contribute to the vibrancy of downtown Dayton. Since it was started, the project has launched 22 shops (15 of which stayed open past their initial pop-up phase), filled more than 20,000 square feet of previously vacant space and created 48 jobs. “Starred by Tamika brings not only a retail shop to Downtown Dayton, but also a fun new type of DIY workshop experience,” said Pop-Up project leader, Melanie Wagner. “We are excited to welcome Starred to downtown!”

Pop-Up Shops from the previous phases of the project include Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth St.; Vintage Barber Shop, 110 W. Fifth St.; Peace on Fifth, 234 Dutoit St.; two stores at 16 Brown St., Spice Paradise and Hicks’ Barber Shop & Shave Parlor; Twist Cupcakery, 25 S. St. Clair St.; Fronana, 27 W. First Street; Baker Salvage, 31 S. St. Clair St.; Mitosis, 14 W. First St; and Soccer Shots, 39 S. St. Clair St.

The Pop-Up Project is driven by volunteers from the young professional organizations UpDayton and Generation Dayton with support from the Downtown Dayton Partnership, the City of Dayton, the City of Dayton Neighborhood Mini-Grant program and community volunteers. Activated Spaces is part of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan, a strategic blueprint for the future of downtown.