<a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2012/02/pop-up-redux-pop-up-shopping-big-success-for-tulsa-retailers/bison-and-bear/" rel="attachment wp-att-10418"><img src="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/bison-and-bear-500x500.jpg" alt="bison and bear downtown Tulsa Oklahoma by Jennifer Luitwieler" title="bison and bear downtown Tulsa Oklahoma by Jennifer Luitwieler" width="500" height="500" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-10418" /></a>

<em>Today's post comes from <a href="http://jenniferluitwieler.com/" target="_blank">Tulsa blogger and writer Jennifer Luitwieler</a>. <a href="http://www.jenniferluitwieler.com/blog" target="_blank">She blogs at jenniferluitwieler.com/blog</a>, and her book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Run-Me-Accidental-Runner-Power/dp/0615524761/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322145278&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Run With Me: An Accidental Runner and the Power of Poo</a>, was released earlier this year. Welcome back, Jen!</em>

During the five weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, nearly a dozen stores opened temporary spaces in downtown Tulsa's Deco District. According to Libby Auld, president of the Deco District business owners' association, the idea spawned new life for some of the vacant buildings there. 

And today, several of them are extending their stay and sinking their roots in downtown. Candy Castle, Indie Emporium and Bison & Bear are just a few that have signed month-to-month leases, helping to bring a robust offering of retail shopping choices back to the core of the city.

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"The experience was great," Auld said. Collectively, sales at the stores topped $100,000, according to a release about the store openings. Auld's Elote saw a 23 percent increase in sales while the holiday pop-up shops were doing business near her store, while Mod's Crepes saw an increase of 76 percent.

Indie Emporium is a market offering the handmade goods of dozens of local and national artists. Once an annual event for Tulsa, owner Christine Crowe and her husband Thom designed the space to be an offshoot of the local crafting event they started six years ago. Their calling the shop <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MADE-The-Indie-Emporium-Shop/136343493151817" target="_blank">Made: Indie Emporium</a>, and their open their doors Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Crowe's shop carries her own work, screenprinted linens and book prints, as well as handmade soaps, jewelry, accessories and paper goods. The couple plans to find ways to participate in the Two Bucks on Boston event every Wednesday, which offers puffy tacos and gelato specials at a price fixed at $2, along with short classes and crafty giveaways.

And then there's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bison-Bear/304785372892339" target="_blank">Bison and Bear</a>, a menswear store that's a "collaboration between my brother and Michael and me," according to co-owner Joel Hitsman. Between his fly fishing and outdoor gear and his brother's line of custom neckwear, they found that the holiday season was a perfect time to see what they could accomplish together. They added a line of skin care and shaving items which are selling well, too, they said. 

Other stores opening in the Deco District either today or soon include <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/HOOD/267503700239?sk=info" target="_blank">HOOD, a resource for modern design enthusiasts and collectors</a>, and Earthly Organics. Candy Castle is slated to open after some construction work is complete.

Learn more about the Deco District Shops and get the latest news about sales and openings at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deco-District-Shops/284400941620933" target="_blank">their Facebook page, Deco District Shops of Tulsa</a>. 