NEXT GEN COLLECTIVE
Pop-Up Finds A Storefront Home

‘Tis the season, and the season always includes thoughtful gift-giving. During the pandemic years there has been a growing focus on purchasing gifts and personal items made locally and from small businesses, giving those important sectors of the local economy, and cornerstones of our sense of community, the support they needed to get through tough times.

New Gen Partners Pria Chohan (left) and Kelly Goebel.

When Kelly Goebel launched the first Next Gen pop-up market last summer at Robson Plaza (corner of Robson and Bute) applying her background in retail sales and experience as a chandler, she may not have been planning to turn it into a full-time business. But after repeat pop-ups this past summer back at Robson and also Jim Deva Plazas, her success started to make it look like a good idea.

Partnering with Pria Chohan, another candlemaker who had taken part in the pop-ups, Kelly, (who moved on from candle making to jewelry) began the search for an appropriate storefront to feature the works of the dozens of craftsfolk and artisans whose unique products had made the pop-ups a popular neighborhood experience.

We are delighted to report that as of early last month you can find New Gen and a rotating roster of vendors at 1289 Robson, open for business daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Currently with a six-month lease and negotiating a six-month extension, all things working out New Gen may have found its forever home.

It’s the former home of CNKW handbags, but don’t be fooled by the current lack of Next Gen signage. That’s coming, and in the meantime keep an eye out for the sidewalk sandwich board indicating that they’re open for business.

As with the pop-ups (which they plan to do again this coming summer) you’ll find an array of handcrafted goods, artisanal products, and organic items.

The vendors will rotate every three months, and the current group include: Primordial Gems with their handcrafted, Old-World silver jewelry and accessories inspired by Greco-Roman mythology; the Coconut Candle Company with a selection of hand-poured, scented candles made from premium coconut wax; and Fleurs Tea with their herbal, hemp-based and CDB teas as well as healing and relaxing organic lotions, potions, and bath salts.

There are more, at least 20 more, craftsfolk’s work represented, but you get the idea.

So shop local, treat yourself and your friends to something special, and welcome Next Gen to the neighborhood.