Five Puerto Rican entrepreneurs selling jewelry, teas, rums, postcards, crafts and other small gifts are presenting their work at Paseo de Diego.
If you're looking for local products or a unique small gift for someone special, a new store at Paseo de Diego, in Río Piedras, may have what you need.
It's called Pop-up Store San Juan @ Río Piedras, and it brings together five Puerto Rican entrepreneurs selling their products, as part of a city initiative to encourage the economic revitalization and cultural renewal of the area.
Here's what the Municipio de San Juan initiative involves and what products you'll find there.
San Juan's First Pop-up Store
This first pop-up, or temporary, store aims to boost local commerce, encourage creativity and offer new opportunities to small business owners in high-foot-traffic areas, said the mayor of San Juan, Miguel Romero.
Pop-up San Juan will operate for an initial period of six months and is free of charge for the selected entrepreneurs. The goal is for vendors to use that time to secure a permanent space for their businesses.
"(This pilot project) not only promotes community commerce in a sustainable way, but also strengthens the vibrant identity of the historic downtown of Río Piedras. With this initiative, we seek to promote Paseo de Diego, create spaces that celebrate the creativity and talent of San Juan, and connect this commercial area with residents and visitors from around the world."
Miguel Romero, mayor of San Juan
For her part, Daphne Barbeito, director of San Juan's Department of Economic Development and Tourism, indicated that the initiative could expand to other areas of San Juan.
Meet the Puerto Rican vendors and their products
Participants in this first edition were selected through an open call on Aug. 2, 2024. After an evaluation process, the entrepreneurs chosen to take part in Pop-up San Juan are:
💍 Ural Studio: Designer Melissa Ramírez presents her first jewelry collection, called "Reja Criolla." It draws on the decorative iron grillwork of Puerto Rican homes from the 1970s and '80s. The collection pays tribute to grandmothers' houses and blends influences from Cuban and Guatemalan heritage with the essence of the Caribbean.
🥃 Ron Artesano: Created by entrepreneur José Muñoz, this rum made in the mountains of Jayuya is distinguished by its extended fermentation process and double distillation in a copper pot still. Each bottle is unique, labeled and numbered by hand, reflecting the effort and dedication behind its production.
🫖 T Love Cup: Founded by Amarilis Silva, this brand offers loose-leaf teas and high-quality herbal blends designed to promote well-being and provide moments of calm in daily life. Each blend is carefully selected to ensure a unique experience.
🖼️ Mikeyla Jerian Art: Created by visual artist Mikeyla Maldonado, this specialty gift shop offers handmade products, including illustrations, stickers, keychains and other unique items that inspire creativity and mark special moments.
👜 Believe by Maritza: Led by Maritza Hernández, this business offers exclusive hand-painted and hand-engraved pieces, including clothing, bags, wallets and canvas paintings. Maritza also personalizes items on the spot with custom messages or designs. Her ceramic heart line, "Mi pedacito de cielo," is a tribute to her grandchildren.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
