I don’t think it was an original idea. I must have heard it somewhere before. But, for the longest time now, I’ve been thinking that it would be neat to open a store here in Ypsi, in one of the otherwise unused downtown buildings, for a single day. The idea would be that it would pop up out of nowhere, like a dandelion, and then disappear as suddenly as it had appeared.

I didn’t give much thought as to what would be sold in my 24-hour store. I just imagined having a big opening party, complete with bands and a ribbon cutting, followed several hours later by a going-out-of-business sale. I had vague ideas about t-shirts and paintings that I could peddle, but I never really devoted the time to fleshing the idea out.

Well, while I was sitting on my hands, doing nothing with the idea, someone in Portland came along and did it better. Or, at least, they’re about to. My friend Chloe in Portland, who owns the small press emporium Reading Frenzy, just told me about a venture launched by an artist there named John Brodie. It seems as though he’s launching a store that will exist for one month only. And here’s the cool part… He’s gotten 60 artists from the pacific northwest to create products that will only be available there, in the store. Here’s a clip from the website for Store for a Month:

Loosely based on Claes Oldenburg’s “Store” from 1961, Store for a Month will be a temporary art object and “product” store that includes a working studio for the Proprietor and Store artists to make works on-site, although many works will be made in advance. Store for a Month will feature art and products made specifically for the project by over 60 of the NW region’s best and brightest artists. While the emphasis is on 3D art objects and sculpture, some 2D work will be included. Artists have been encouraged to make works they might not usually make, explore new mediums outside their traditional process, and create works of an unusual or outrageous nature – all priced for the “Store” environment.

Location: 1216 SE Division Street, Portland Oregon
Store Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, Noon – 7pm

The store opens June 3… If you’re in Portland, check it out, and send photos. I’d appreciate it.