Temporary store, or "pop up", opens for holidays

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Lyonstate, a Fairhope-based online men's clothing store has opened a temporary location in downtown Mobile for the holiday season.

The temporary storefront idea is called a pop-up store. The store, on 111 Dauphin Street, is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., through December 31.

The pop-up store idea is not new; that's how the Spirit Halloween costume shops and others like it operate.

Owners Reba Cunningham and Jason Miller call south Alabama home. They lived in New York City for a while, but returned to the area about two years ago.

When they came back, the couple created their online clothing site and called it Lyonstate.

“I'm drawing inspiration from family members that were sort of the quintessential southern gentleman, but then it also represents me and my own history of working in New York,” said Reba Cunningham.

And now they're going to the people with a limited engagement shop near Royal Street.

“It obviously gives us a chance as a small business to come in and test the market, but it also provides something for the community; it fills a vacant space downtown that would otherwise be empty,” said Cunningham.

If you look around downtown Mobile today, there are empty spaces on several streets; spaces that appear to be waiting for a pop-up of their own.

Cunningham and Miller worked hand-in hand with the Downtown Alliance in finding a turn-key space with a flexible landlord.

“We knew the challenges of being downtown, there's not a lot of people that live down here, but there are a lot of people that work down here,” said Cunningham, “I think it's important for people to shop local because it brings something to the community.”

“There's nothing better than getting the support of your hometown, getting the support of the folks that live here and hopefully trying to continue it on past the end of the year,” said Jason Miller.

Miller says they would love to stay in downtown Mobile, but they need people to support their business. In the meantime, the couple said one goal for them is to bring people downtown.

Lyonstate sells menswear that Cunningham describes as classic in a modern way.

“Were not out of the comfort zone for a lot of men around here; we're selling things you could wear in the field if you're hunting or fishing,” said Cunningham.