WITH more than 70 bodies passing through the sliding doors of Queanbeyan's newest retailer, it seems PopUp! Monaro Arts Space has made an impressive debut on the main street.
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The pop up shop launched on Saturday, December 8 to great fanfare and is located in the former Spackman Real Estate building at 138 Monaro Street.
The shop space has been divided into seven different sections and is available for lease on a month by month basis.
Manager Ros Hales said there were no restrictions on what the spaces could be used for and said the shop had been well-received.
She hoped it would stay open for quite some time.
"We've had a very positive response from the local community, the building owners and the artists. Everyone is happy, they're all rather chuffed," she said.
"I can see a future for it...there's a lot of interest."
The shop includes a permanent gallery which is currently hosting Canberra artist Neil Lade's Delade Reaction exhibition.
Ms Hales said four of Mr Lade's works had already sold and they had also already booked their next featured artists for the next two months.
The other spaces are currently leased for a gift shop and exhibition spaces for artists Ric Bennett, Jenny Sheppard, Julie Cowden and Aria Stone.
Ms Hales explained the store is part of an "Empty Spaces" project which introduces new and different functions to disused areas.
She said she was inspired by the work of Mark Westbury who established Renew Newscastle and rejuvenated the town's CBD.
"A lot of people have been interested in something like this but they didn't have the time [to set it up]," she said.
"Having something like this is more colourful and lively and far more inviting than just an empty space."
The PopUp! Monaro Arts Space is open from Tuesday - Saturday between 10am to 5pm.
For more information please contact Ms Hales on 0438 768 754.