Merchants Test Pop-Up Stores In Downtown Tulsa

A new shopping mall has popped up at 5th and Boston, with picture window displays and the anticipation that customers won't just be looking - they'll be buying.

"It's totally different. It's a lot of fun to be downtown. There's an excitement in the air," says Rachel Simons.

Simons has a store at Promenade Mall, Candy Castle, but she's testing out downtown. She's still building out her pop up candy store, which opens Monday.

"We have two stores now. That's what makes it so exciting. We've wanted to expand, but weren't sure where, so this is a great way to test something out," she says.

The storefronts may be small, but hopes are high.

About a dozen stores have put down temporary roots at the intersection.

Shirley Rimpley runs what's normally a mobile book fair business, and her store, Books Are Fun, is the entrance to one section of the pop up stores.

"In order to get to them, they've got to come through me," she says.

She's a believer this experiment is going to work.

"As long as people know there's something available for them down here, yes."

A few blocks away, Winterfest returned with an ice rink covered in puddles because of the warm weather.

"It's fun, kind of gets you in the spirit..." says Yvonne Jones.

She and her family were out to get started on the season.

"There's a lot to do. I think it could be wonderful down here."