Creative Gift Shop Opens In Melrose Through Project: Pop-Up Program

MELROSE, MA — As part of the City of Melrose's Project: Pop-Up, which aims to re-invigorate vacant storefronts in downtown Melrose and support local entrepreneurs, the city has opened a creative gift shop called Paper & Clay on West Emerson Street.

The shop, co-founded by artists Lesley Keegan of Melrose and Revere resident Denise Boucher, features the owners’ products as well as a rotation of other brands, and the space will eventually feature artist classes and events, the city shared in a news release.

Paper & Clay is the second pop-up initiative led by Mayor Paul Brodeur that is funded through a state economic development, the release said. The first phase of Melrose’s program gave homes to Rou Mi Candle and Friends, as well as the Mothership of All Design on Essex Street, which went on to open a permanent location on Main Street.

“This program has proven to be a successful way to provide immediate opportunities for economic growth and added vitality in our commercial districts,” Brodeur said, according to the release.

In collaboration with UpNext, a Newton-based, woman-owned business that connects emerging brands to available spaces, Project: Pop-Up is is designed to fill storefronts with small retailers, artists, and makers at a significantly reduced cost, the city wrote.

While the pop-ups are available for a limited time, they provide retailers an opportunity to introduce their businesses to a wider audience while having access to support services such as marketing and PR opportunities.

“Paper & Clay is a welcome addition to West Emerson Street that will generate new economic activity here and complete a block that is already home to several thriving businesses,” Lauren Grymek, Director of Economic Development for the City of Melrose who spearheads the Project: Pop-Up program said, according to the release. “Small businesses are still recovering from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and are challenged by the current rates of inflation and a tight labor market, making it even more risky to start a new business venture. This initiative helps to overcome some of these challenges.”