| rev:text
| - Highland Yard is a "Pop-Up" used goods mercantile selling merchandise that has been repurposed, refreshed and reimagined by pickers, designers and artists into home décor and home and garden furnishings in the latest, trendy styles and color palettes. It is called a "Pop-Up" because it does not follow a 'regular' schedule or 'normal' business hours: it is only open four days a month.
There is a theme to the merchandise, decor and setup that the designers follow each time they are open. For instance, 'Road Trip' and 'Endless Summer' have been the first two themes. Yet, I would classify the overall theme and style of Highland Yard as one of Shabby Chic/French Country Cottage with some Vintage and Mid-Century styles thrown in. Alas, there is an occasional retro vintage piece or bona fide antique thrown in that could have migrated in from the sister building, Merchant Square, that adds a bit of flair to each vignette.
I visited; saw a few items that I liked, and returned a few days later, only to find that they were closed until next month. The concept of a pop-up business is certainly fun and unique, and getting dozens of vendors to collaborate on a central theme, setup merchandise and make it marketable to sell to the public is not an easy feat. I can understand only being open a few days of the month to allow time for a change of venue, however only being open 13% of the month does not allow for much shopping time, nor does it allow access for the uninformed spontaneous shopper passing by. Perhaps more shopping days would be an improvement. A pop-up requires informed visitors through interactive, friendly staff, having easy access and detailed signage throughout to create an informed following, all of which was lost on my fellow shoppers and me on two visits.
All in all, I like the idea of a rotating or changing theme and merchandise that is fresh and different; I think it is important to keep a shopping experience novel and I like the excitement that a pop-up brings, but I do feel as though there is an aura of excitement and friendliness that is missing from the staff . . . especially given this only happens four days a month. Also absent is a sense of pride from the business or management. I'm not certain where this sense of pride should emanate from, but it is evident with the absence of friendly, excited staff and a tidy, clean and accessible entrance. Improving in these customer service areas would certainly align itself with the quality of the furnishings within.
It is worth a stop if it happens to be one those coveted days that The Yard is open. If you enjoy this style of décor, you will probably find an item of interest making it worth your while to stop in. Perhaps in a few months, when some of the newness wears off, I will return and visit again . . . let's just hope I choose the correct four days to do so.
Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars
Service: 2 Stars
Cleanliness: 2.5 Stars
Atmosphere: 4 Stars
Price: 4 Stars
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