An H Street Design Shop Wifi Lounge

an H street design shop wifi loungeJuly 23 through August 15, 2010In the former R.L Christian Libraryat 1300 H Street, NEActivating vacant spaces.Promoting neighborhood corridors.Supporting creative entrepreneurs.Instilling temporary urbanism.Encouraging creative vibrancy.PRESENTED BY:

OVERVIEWThe Temporium was a pop-up design shopsupported by the DC Office of Planning’sTemporary Urbanism initiative to activatevacant spaces and enliven neighborhoodcorridors. The Temporium was developedto help meet several objectivesestablished by the District of Columbiathrough the Creative DC Action Agendaand the Retail Action Strategy includingsupporting creative entrepreneurs,highlighting the retail potential ofemerging areas like H Street NE,activating vacant spaces and promotingneighborhood commercial corridors.Over four weekends, the Temporiumwelcomed over 1,600 visitors.Opening and closing eventsfeatured local musicians,and H Street partners offeredspecial promotions for Temporiumcustomers. The Temporium wasdeveloped and managed by thePink Line Project and Green DoorAdvisors.

THE SPACER.L. Christian Innovation CenterThe Temporium was located in the R.L. Christian InnovationCenter, the site of the former R.L. Christian Library. The librarywas named in honor of Robert Lee Christian, who wasdedicated to education and community empowerment and cohesiveness. He was the founder and executive director of theNortheast Neighborhood House, he organized a Right-to-Readprogram, established an emergency food bank for families in thecommunity, and implemented numerous programs forchildren.We commissioned DC-based artists to transform the physicalspace into a fashion boutique. However, the spirit ofMr. Christian lived on!

THE SPACETRANSFORMEDWith the help of DC-based artists Billy Colbert, Albus Cavus andAM Radio, we transformed the kiosk into a cool design shop andevent space using repurposed materials and lighting.Billy Colbert was the lead designer intransforming the interior space.AM Radio paintedmurals in bothfitting rooms/bathrooms.Albus Cavus painted the exteriorof the building.

THE DESIGNERSAlmost 20 DC-based fashion, art, home deco,and jewelry designers circulated through toshowcase and sell their unique creations at theTemporium. Together, they reached over 11,000 in sales over four weekends. Designsranged from recycled vinyl record jewely byMishi, handmade graphic leather belts by JonWye, streetwear by Dopeville, dress shirts byHugh & Crye, and much more includinghandmade knits, ties and pocket squares,handbags, skateboard decks, and custompainted sneakers.Holland CoxBill JohnsonJon WyeDopevilleDe*NadaHugh & CryeDana GreavesDerringer Friday

THE DESIGNERSA Complete List of DesignersKRISTI LOVETHEMBE FASHIONS

THE FESTIVITIESMUSICWe programmed DC-based musicians and performanceartists to perform at the Temporium during hours of operation.The music helped draw and retain customers to theTemporium.Featured MusiciansOPENING WEEKENDJuly 23 - July 25DJ ObeyaWill RastAlex VansDJ MikeBoloMoonshine SocietyTHIRD WEEKENDAugust 5 - August 8U.S. RoyaltyMusic Selector PhoenixDJ JahsonicSally Shangming TsouSECOND WEEKENDJuly 31 - August 1DJ AnishDJ GoldCLOSING WEEKENDAugust 12 - August 15DJ AutorockAlvin RiskDJ Hays HolladayRifle Recoilnoon:30Ryan HolladayOpening weekend musiccurated by MonumentMusic & Arts Festival.Closing weekend musiccurated by BLUEBRAIN.U.S. Royalty performedThursday, August 5

THE FESTIVITIESNEIGHBORHOODThe Temporium coordinated activities with H Streetbusinesses to help drive traffic around the neighborhood.(e)merge discussion panel partyConner Contemporary Art hosted an event specifically for areaemerging artists beginning with a discussion panel focusing onhow emerging artists build communities. The after-after-partytook place at The Temporium.“Eat UR Heart Out”A hunger awareness project by DECOYDC-artist DECOY raised awareness about hunger in DC.On Sunday, August 8 from 1 to 3 pm, participants decoratedlunch bags in the Temporium. These bags were then donatedto area kitchens that provide meals to those in need.“Cheesecake” at Gallery O/HIn celebration of the Temporium, H-Street neighborGallery O/H hosted an exhibit entitled“Cheesecake: It’s all about the ladies,” a tribute tothe female form. The exhibit ran August 5 - August14 and included various musical acts, including:The Galt Line, Maureen Andary, Organ Grinder Lolaand Master Bob, and Arthur Loves Plastic. GalleryO/H also offered a 10% discount to area favorite,Dangerously Delicious Pies.iStrategy Labs sponsored theopening night festivities.

DEALSThe following H Street businesses offered Temporiumcustomers great deals!Temporium customers receivedtwo tickets for the price ofone to any of the movies in theAtlas Summer Film Series!Dangerously Delicious Piesoffered a 10% discount topatrons of the Temporiumand the Gallery O/H“Cheesecake” exhibit!Sova offered 1/2 pricespecials on selectwines and beers toTemporium customers!Biergarten Haus offered 10% off Temporiumcustomers’ entire checks!

PRESSThe Temporium was featured in over a dozen major media orneighborhood news outlets and blogs.The Temporium engages with the H Street communityin the creative and economic development of DC.- Washington Life Magazine

SUCCESSThe Temporium attracted residents and visitors to H Street NEand grew the creative framework. The Temporium also helpedmeet several objectives established by the District ofColumbia through the Creative DC Action Agenda and theRetail Action Strategy, including supporting creativeentrepreneurs, highlighting the retail potential of emerging areas like H Street NE, activating vacant spaces and promotingneighborhood commercial corridors. District partners includethe DC Office of Planning, the Office of the Deputy Mayor forPlanning and Economic Development, and the DC Departmentof Real Estate Services.Dana Greaves selling herwares on opening weekendCustomers visitingthe TemporiumPatrons in front ofArtistic Aya’s displayVisitors sifting throughJon Wye’s graphic designsI wish the Temporiumwould ‘pop-up’ around thecity about once a month,because DC has the talentto fill the space and manypatrons that are hungryfor the artistic product!- Anna Sebourn,Temporium customer

SUCCESSIN NUMBERSTOTAL SALES 11, 427.73( 12,060.42 with tax)TOTAL VISITORS1,616TOTAL CUSTOMERS198BREAKDOWN BY WARDWARDWARDWARDWARDWARD1 20%2 12%3 6%4 2%5 2%WARD 6 25%WARD 8 1%MD14%VA14%Other4%

TESTIMONIESTemporium offers kind of a pilot on how this can bereplicated by others. We have a process that they can latchon to, promote their space and create longer-term tenants.- Harriet Tregoning, director of the Office of PlanningThe Atlas was pleased to join other local organizations inpromoting Temporium. Its designers and musicians reinforcedH Street as a growing creative community, but its retailmodel reminded us that we need to strengthen H Street andNear Northeast as an economic community as well.- Sam Sweet, Executive Director of Atlas Performing Arts CenterTrunk shows only last for a few hours, and that doesn’talways give customers enough time.So the store is greatbecause people have more time to view the collection anddecide to buy.- Dana Ayanna Greaves, designer at the TemporiumIt was a great experience getting to play around the artistsand sort of feed off that collectively creative vibe.- Jonny Grave, musician from the TemporiumiStrategyLabs was a proud sponsor of the Temportium because itis creative experiments like this that have the potential to catalyzeeconomic development and innovation in DC unlike any other method.The more we can find lightweight, low risk ways to develop products,services and experiences in our city, they better off we’ll be.- Peter Corbet, CEO of iStrategyLabsMany artists simply can’t afford table fees at events, and mostboutiques take 50% of the retail price. In these cases, artisans haveto mark their work up significantly, perhaps even overprice it, toinsure they do not sell themselves short. Therefore, the Temporiumpop-up boutique offers a unique opportunity to present verytalented artists to the public, making unique and affordable art,accessories, and clothing designs easily accessible.- Deidree Bennett, designer at the TemporiumIt was great to see so many different agencies and organizationsworking together to make something like this event happen. I hopeto see this project grow into a regular event, and I plan on attendingmany more!- Anna Sebourn, Temporium customer

11,000 in sales over four weekends. Designs ranged from recycled vinyl record jewely by Mishi, handmade graphic leather belts by Jon Wye, streetwear by Dopeville, dress shirts by Hugh & Crye, and much more including handmade knits, ties and pocket squares, handbags, skateboard decks, and custom THE DESIGNERS painted sneakers. Bill Johnson Jon Wye