LONG ISLAND CITY — Queens, represent.
Pop-up shop, Made in QNS, is opening in an empty storefront on Queens Plaza between 27th and 28th streets with everything from hats, purses and artisanal foods, all made by people who live and work in the borough.
The store is currently accepting applications from local merchants who are looking for some extra exposure for their small-batch, unique goods, according to Sante Antonelli, the director of business services with the Queens Economic Development Corporation, a nonprofit group that aims to help local businesses.
"Queens has been the place where people manufacture things behind the scenes," he said. "There really hasn't been a big retail, out-in-front exposure."
Made in QNS will open the first week of June and run through spring of 2017. Showcased vendors will change from month to month, with products based around a different theme each time, Antonelli said.
So far, potential food companies that will be spotlighted in the shop include those working out of the Entrepreneur Space, a commercial kitchen the QEDC runs in Long Island City.
The pop-up will have it's own staff, so artisans won't need to peddle their wares themselves, Antonelli added.
"We don't want to be known as a flea market. We want to be more of a boutique," he said.
Made in QNS, at 27-24 Queens Plaza, is expected to be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays beginning in June. The LIC Post first reported on the store.
Companies interested in selling at the store can fill out an application online.
