Melrose Pop-Up Store Extends Stay

It’s the pop-up store that’s popping for little longer than expected.

The that opened on May 2 in the former Alpha men’s clothing boutique at 8654 Melrose Avenue will remain open through July 4.

The store was originally scheduled to close on May 31, but incredible demand is keeping the store around for another month.

“Interest in the store has been overwhelming and we wanted to seize the opportunity to present our customers with even more great pieces and displays,” said Apt2B founder Mat Herman. “We have not only brought in more large furniture items but also great additions for all of your summer needs.”

Apt2B is a year-old, gay-owned, LA-centric online retailer that’s been described as a cross between IKEA and Crate & Barrel.

With a fun but function line of colorful products, Apt2B bridges the gap between those two well-known furniture and home furnishings chains. The website has helped many late 20s/early 30s, career-oriented Angelinos fill their apartments with style and whimsy, but at affordable prices.

Herman opened the pop-up store to increase awareness about the website and also give people a chance to see the merchandise in person.

The 900-square-foot store is set up like an apartment with living, dining, office and bedroom areas, each displaying items appropriate for that section. HGTV’s Design On A Dime’s Frank Harker designed the space using nothing but Apt2B products.

With the extended stay, Apt2B has switched out many of the items on display during May and brought in new items for June, these emphasizing summer.

Smaller items can be purchased in the store. Larger items like sofas, chairs and beds can be ordered in the store, then will be shipped within 10 days from Apt2B’s warehouse in Van Nuys.

The name Apt2B is a play on the idea of “what you want your apartment to be,” Herman said.  

Even though the pop-up store is proving successful, Herman is not interested in having a permanent brick and mortar location because of the overhead involved.  

“We’re an online retailer. I want to pass the savings on to you guys,” reported Herman, a Cleveland native who previously worked 14 years as a furniture sales rep covering Southern California.

The affordability of Apt2B’s products leads some people to believe the products are low quality.

“I’ve had so many people come in saying our products are so much nicer than they expected them to be given the prices,” Herman said.

The Apt2B pop-up store is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday noon-6 p.m.

To visit the Apt2B website, click here.