PQ Blackwell in New Zealand is the latest art and coffee-table book publisher to promote its brand with pop-up stores during the holiday season. After testing a New York City pop-up in the Financial District last year, yesterday it opened a 1,000 sq. ft. Love and Care store in the Meatpacking District. It will open a second 600 sq. ft. Love and Care in what had been the ticket office for the Seaport Museum on November 18. Both stores are scheduled to close on December 30.
According to Amelia Wilson, who opened the stores for PQ Blackwell, the Love and Care name was selected to reflect the love and care that goes into the production of the press’ books. “We really wanted to underline how much work went into these,” she said. The inventory includes overstock titles not just from from PQ Blackwell but from Chronicle Books and Abrams. All books are on sale at 50% or more off the suggested retail price, with the most expensive being a $250 book from Albert Watson that has been reduced to $60. The stores carry books by Andrew Zuckerman, Stefan Sagmeister, and James Victore. To round out the inventory, they also stock interior design, beauty, fashion, travel, pop culture, music, and nature gift books.
Love and Care is offering free gift wrapping and free same-day delivery service within Manhattan on orders over $100. From now through Thanksgiving it is also giving a free copy of Dear Mom or Dear Dad to shoppers who bring a donation of canned goods for City Harvest.
For a complete look at today’s pop-up phenomenon, look for a story in Monday’s issue of PW.
