This past Sunday, May 17, Entrepreneuership@DU, in collaboration with DU Launchpad, hosted the fifth annual Pop-Up Palooza. And in true Denver fashion, sporadic weather forced the nearly 77 vendors to move indoors.
Similar to a farmers market, Pop-Up Palooza featured everything from baked goods, jewelry and ceramics to handmade clothing and crocheted goods. Although the bands were unable to move their performances indoors, vendors and shoppers alike quickly adapted to the storm, relocating to the first floor of the Community Commons.
“It was a little stressful on the front end due to the rain, but it brought a certain level of camaraderie among the vendors that was beautiful to see,” said Nina Fentriss, a senior film major. “Now that we’re all set up, I’m having a wonderful time.”
Fentriss is the entrepreneur behind Another Man’s Treasure, a business centered around reworked antiques and engraved goods ranging from glass panes to lighter cases. Through her work, Fentriss prioritizes using secondhand and found materials as a way to combat overconsumption while creating one-of-a-kind pieces.
The event’s primary goal is to provide members of the DU community with an accessible space to showcase their creativity, connect with fellow entrepreneurs and gain firsthand experience selling their products. While many vendors were students, the event also welcomed local creators and small businesses from the surrounding Denver community.
“Our big thing with these events is to give creative people an outlet to be entrepreneurs on campus. I think a lot of people are entrepreneurs, but they don’t realize it,” said Charlie Peterson, former president of the Entrepreneurship Club. “Events like this bring people together and give them an opportunity to share what they are working on and show that they really are entrepreneurs in a low-pressure way.”
Despite the sudden change in venue, the energy of Pop-Up Palooza never faded. Community Commons was livelier than ever while shoppers and vendors alike enjoyed the event. What some might have viewed as a set back was momentary and ultimately highlighted the adaptability and sense of community that the event encourages each year.
As the event continues to grow into one of DU’s most anticipated spring traditions, Pop-Up Palooza has become more than just a marketplace. It serves as a reminder that entrepreneurship can take many forms — whether through art, fashion, food or handmade crafts — and that creativity thrives when given a shared space.
Even with the unpredictable weather, the event proved once again that the DU community will continue to show up in support of one another and the ideas they bring to life.
