Holiday pop-up shops offer unique gifts

Shoppers can take the chance to support local or small businesses.

Holiday pop-ups became a thing back in 2002 when Target pioneered the trend by opening a holiday shopping pop-up on a barge in the middle of the Hudson River in New York City.

Last year, the retail giant used pop-up shops to pilot test a new shopping concept that combined the physical and digital shopping experiences. Guests at Target Wonderland could use digital Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) keys to scan items they liked and the items appeared on a digital shopping list.

Holiday pop-ups pretty much happen everywhere now, including right here in metro Atlanta, but unlike Target, most of them give shoppers the chance to support local or small businesses while finding unique gifting items.

Here are a few pop-ups and markets that you may want to check out beginning this weekend:

2016 Shoppe Artisan Market

Find handmade goods from more than 120 artists including about 40 to 60 based in Georgia. The selection includes gourmet, fashion, home and garden gift items. Shoppe Artisan runs from 12 – 8 p.m. on Fri., Dec. 9, and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 10 and Sun. Dec. 11 at the Cobb Galleria, Centre, 2 Galleria Parkway SE, Atlanta. Tickets are $8 online and $10 at the door. For information, visit shoppeartisan.com .

Indie Craft Experience

Visit this one day market at the Yaarab Temple, 400 Ponce De Leon Ave. N.E. on Sun., Dec.

11 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. for last-minute shopping with 50 craft and vintage vendors, local food vendors and more. The first 100 attendees will receive swag tote bags designed by Atlantabased artist Leela Hoehn Robinson of Native Bear. It costs $5 cash at the door. Kids 12 and under are free. For more information visit www.ice-atlanta.com.

Kirkwood Artist Market — A Holiday Bazaar

A range of vendors featuring jewelry, cultural goods, art, body butter, leather good and more will take residence at this market from Dec. 8 through Dec. 24 at 1619 Hosea Williams Dr., Atlanta – the new home of That’s a Wrap!, a luxury gift wrapping service in Atlanta. Hours are Sun. – Sat., 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Interested in being a vendor? Contact Mia Canada at 678469-1716 or thatsawrapatl@ gmail.com. Visit thatsawrapatl.com for more information.

Peachtree Center Holiday Green Market

On Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Peachtree Center’s Green Market returns for a special holiday market in the shopping center. Local vendors will offer a variety of merchandise such as baked goods, local honey, bath bombs and more for lunch break shopping at Peachtree Center, 225 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta.

Southern Exposure, Pop Up at the Loft

The December event features artists such as S. Carter Designs, Ingrid Ysla Jewelry, Twine & Twig, Sally King Benedict, Lacefield Designs and Hippie Kids Apparel. It runs Wed., Dec. 7 at 7 – 9 p.m, Thurs., Dec. 8 from 12 – 5 p.m. and Fri., Dec. 9 from 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at SOEX / Southern Exposure, 887 West Marietta St NW, Studio B, Atlanta. For details visit SouthernExposureATL.com.