How Much Does It Cost To Rent a Storefront?

Need retail space and are wondering: how much does it cost to rent a storefront? At Peerspace, we understand! Pop-up shops have become one of the fastest-growing trends in retail over the last few years. Originally a Los Angeles trend that originated in the early 2000s, they’ve since gone global. Pop-up retail is a multi-billion dollar industry that draws in thousands of customers every year.

So what’s the huge draw? Hosting a pop-up event is an amazing way to build hype around your small business. The exclusivity of a limited-time event drives customers to buy items quickly before they’re gone. 

If you want to get in on the hype, too, you’ll need to rent a storefront for your pop-up extravaganza. That’s where Peerspace comes in! Peerspace makes it easy and simple to find venues for all kinds of retail events. There’s something for every budget, too! Read on to learn how much it costs to rent a storefront for your next big retail event. 

Why rent a temporary storefront? 

If your business is ordinarily online-only, renting a storefront can be an amazing way to interact with your customers. While customers love the convenience factor of a purely online experience, sometimes they crave a more personal experience.

Nothing beats being able to interact face-to-face with the person behind the brand. And plenty of customers will pay well for this experience. Pop-ups are an amazing way to generate extra revenue for your brand without committing to a permanent brick-and-mortar location. You get all the benefits of a traditional storefront without any of the overhead costs. 

Instagram loves pop-up events, too. Kicking off a new line of products with a special grand opening event is one of the best ways to generate buzz about your business.

Influencers are always on the lookout for exciting new brands to feature in their posts. It creates a mutually beneficial relationship that boosts the influencer and the brand alike. Hosting a limited-time event at a stylish venue is an amazing way to get on an influencer’s radar. And, of course, all their followers will be paying attention, too. 

Need some creative brand activation ideas? We have you covered with this helpful guide!

What should I look for when renting a storefront? 

First, you’ll need to consider how much space you need for your event. Do you need a large area to spread out in, or will a single room do? Consider the type of products you’re selling and the best way to show them off. You’ll want to make sure that there’s ample room to set up clothing racks or display tables for your merch. 

You also need to consider the ambiance. Do you want a minimalist space to highlight your colorful products? Do you prefer an industrial setting to complement a new tech item you’re selling? Consider your product and your brand before choosing a space to ensure the venue matches both.

Remember that running a pop-up is all about curating an experience for your customers. Think about ways you can utilize your chosen venue’s best qualities to promote your brand.

Rent a venue that has a little something extra, like an Instagram-friendly mural, neon lighting, or another attention-grabbing feature. It’s all about creating something photo-worthy that people will want to share with their friends! 

Where’s the best place to rent a storefront online? 

This is the most daunting part for would-be pop-up hosts. Finding the ideal venue for a limited-time event can be intimidating if you don’t know where to look. Fortunately, Peerspace is here to make things simple. 

Peerspace is the largest online marketplace for finding and booking event spaces. Thousands of amazing event venues in cities all over the world use Peerspace to connect with would-be guests. You can find venues for pop-ups, grand openings, promotional events, company parties, and plenty of other retail events.

Just tell Peerspace what kind of event you want to host and where, and you’ll see tons of pop-up shop options. Each venue has its own listing, complete with pricing, features, and user reviews. And thanks to the high-quality photos, you’ll know exactly what you can expect from that space. You can use the filters to refine your results further until you find a venue that suits your brand’s unique aesthetic. 

Storefront spaces you can find on Peerspace

So now you know that using Peerspace is the easy way to book storefront spaces in cities across the globe. But what exactly will you find when you try it?

Here are some of our favorite options to help you get started:

• This converted bank that’s now a cafe in Baltimore, MD (pictured above) that has space for 75 guests and is ideal for food-based products and services
• This clean and airy East Village space in NYC that has space for 50 guests and is perfect for clothing and personal care brands
• This versatile pop-up shop in Sydney, Australia that has space for 100 guests in its retail floor space, back of house, and outdoor courtyard
• This outdoor Midtown courtyard in Atlanta, GA that has space for 150 guests and is great for kids’ products, fitness and outdoor gear, and more
• This South Lake Union pop-up window in Seattle, WA that is ideal for serving small snacks and treats or beauty products
• This beautiful gallery space for events in London, England that’s the perfect blank slate for an art show
• This Logan Square open concept storefront space in Chicago, IL with room for 40 guests that is ideal for a book or album release

You get the picture! Peerspace offers you access to thousands of locations like these in cities across the globe. All venue listings include upfront pricing, high-res photos, amenities and features, and reviews from past renters. If you have any questions or requests, simply reach out to a venue’s local host through the listing.

It couldn’t be any easier to ensure you’re booking the perfect storefront venue that suits your style, space requirements, and budget!

Check out these launch party ideas to wow your guests!

How much does it cost to rent a storefront? 

How much does it cost to rent a storefront on Peerspace? It depends on how much space you need. But as you can see, Peerspace hosts all kinds of venues suitable for first-time business owners and well-established brands. For business owners on a shoestring budget, it’s possible to rent a micro space for less than $20 an hour on Peerspace. Yes, really.

Let’s use our examples above to bteer answer the question: how much does it cost to rent a storefront?

The Seattle pop-up window

You can rent that display window in Seattle, WA, for a mere $15 an hour. Your products will be able to share display space on a busy street alongside major corporate brands. It’s an amazing way to dip your toes into promoting your brand before committing to your first pop-up event. 

The NYC storefront

For small events that only need a few hundred square feet, you can expect to pay around $50-$100 an hour in a major city. You can find some awesome spaces that suit your needs for very little money, like the airy storefront in NYC that’s a steal at only $50 an hour.

There’s tons of opportunity here to customize the space however you like, thanks to the storefront’s clean aesthetic. You can’t beat that location, either.

The Aussie pop-up shop

Next, let’s take a closer look at the versatile pop-up shop in Sydney, Australia. It’s one of the most spacious on this list at more than 1,000 square feet and costs A$121 per hour. It also provides indoor and outdoor space, which can be a boon to business on those sunny Sydney days. The host is also flexible in terms of rental periods, so you can book it by the day, week, or month.

A marketing coordinator who booked this shop for an artist shared the following Peerspace review. “This space was absolutely perfect! We were able to have a pop-up space for a music artist – it was able to act as a launch with drinks, food and a place for people to mingle as well as get an incredible performance from an artist. The venue manager was easy to work with and very reliable, I highly recommend this space for use on Oxford Street!”

The Atlanta courtyard

The outdoor courtyard in Atlanta would be ideal for small brands or influencers who want the room to spread out.

It boasts 3,500 square feet of artificial turf, making for the perfect private oasis. There’s a real opportunity here to curate a one-of-a-kind experience that your customers will never forget. And at $85 per hour, it’s still on the low end of the cost scale. 

The Baltimore cafe space

If you’d like something a bit more spacious or upscale, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100-$500 an hour, depending on your city of choice. And the converted bank in Baltimore is a great example of this.

It has retained its vintage bank grandeur with high ceilings, huge windows, and beautiful architecture. It’s also spacious and provides you with a functioning kitchen and tables and chairs. Its $150 per hour price tag actually makes it quite a steal!

The London gallery space

Finally, let’s check out the London beautiful gallery space. It has an open floor plan, Victorian architecture, and a layout that allows for plenty of sunlight. Its adjoining cafe space can also provide catering for your pop-up event, if you like. This lovely space rents for just £110 per hour.

Once you’ve chosen the perfect location, remember that your venue’s host makes it easy to arrange anything else you need for your pop-up, like extra tables for your displays or A/V equipment to shoot promotional materials. Simply reach out and ask!

How much does it cost to rent a storefront: conclusion

As you can see, booking a storefront can be easy and budget-friendly when you use Peerspace. If none of these spaces suit your needs, simply start your own search by entering your location, clicking “search,” and seeing what “pops up!”

In minutes, you’ll be well on your way to planning a successful pop-up event that charms your guests and elevates your brand.

Find the perfect pop-up space on Peerspace