The Pop-Up Shop opened in the University Union on Aug. 25 to help support student entrepreneurs, build a sense of community and offer Sacramento State students goods at affordable prices.

A weekly rotation of up to five vendors are hosted in The Pop-Up Shop, all selling a diverse curation of items like jewelry, art, plushies and more.

Veronica Aros, an assistant coordinator for Union Services and Special Projects, said the overall goal of the shop is to increase student and campus engagement, as well as to help student entrepreneurs and business owners.

“It’s so important to really support our students, especially during these times when things are uncertain,” Aros said. “We don’t keep any money. We don’t charge for rent. The vendors keep 100% of the profit. Whatever goes into their pocket, stays in their pocket.”

The Pop-Up Shop offers students a local and accessible place to shop. Aros said up to 350 students stop by the shop everyday. 

“The shop keeps small businesses alive and helps students rather than a bigger corporation,” Aros said. “We’re really here to give back to the students.”

Junior business administration major Oscar Rios is the co-owner of Cool Cat Classics, a business that sells streetwear, sportswear and Y2K-style grunge attire, at The Pop-Up Shop.

“The shop helps me with bringing in experience of what it is like owning a store, and it helps me connect with other Sac State students,” Rios said. “I’ve met a lot of people here that are good connections to have. I can better them and they can better me.”

Each vendor brings their own merchandise, sets their own prices and keeps all of their profits. Rios said the prices from Cool Cat Classics range from $15 to $150. 

RELATED: Creativity was in the air at the Create, Make and Share Faire

“I’m very flexible on my prices and I value every single person’s interaction,” Rios said. 

Sonky’s Loot, another business featured in The Pop-Up Shop, is owned by junior history major Ulysses Figueroa and junior sociology major Jordan Cartier, where they sell vintage video games from their childhoods. 

When customers visit Sonky’s Loot, Figueroa said they feel nostalgia for the games they used to play as a kid. 

“Nintendo handhelds are best sellers, like DSs and Game Boys,” Figueroa said. “Next week, I’m going to bring a CRT-TV and let people play on old consoles.”

Cartier said the best part of vending is creating connections with people who have similar interests. 

“I have made so many friends through all this stuff. You meet a lot of people,” Cartier said. “Not only are you fueling your hobby, but you get to meet people.”

Samantha Holcomb, a senior studio art major, sells her art in The Pop-Up Shop and emphasizes affordability by selling pieces as cheap as 25 cents.

“I’m a broke college student,” Holcomb said. “I wanted to give prices that people of my demographic–college students–could afford.” 

Holcomb said both gothic and cheerful artworks can be found at her table in forms of wood prints, stamp sheets, pins and more. 

The Pop-Up shop not requiring a vendor fee was one of the biggest incentives for Holcomb to sell in the shop. She said other places can charge up to $100 to vend. 

Aros said food and beverages are the only items that are not allowed to be sold in the shop because of food handling regulations, but The Pop-Up Shop is always open to promoting student food businesses. 

The Pop-Up Shop is open on weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located on the first floor of the University Union. It will be open until the end of the spring semester.