On a recent Tuesday, an old building in downtown Shreveport was infused with new life and a lot of excitement as the entrepreneurs that make up the Central Business District Pop UP checked out their new space. 

The 100-year-old Zodiag Building, the structure that Austrian immigrant Herman Zodiag built way back around 1900, was at one time a popular women’s store, a shoe store and a hat shop. The 1970s through ’90s were not kind to the historic building, and for a time, it appeared its best days were behind it. But now, the Zodiag and two other buildings including the old Sears Department Store are getting a fresh look and second chance.

Sept. 22 through Oct. 3, the Zodiag will return to its retail roots as the setting of downtown’s next Pop UP series intended to transform vacant storefronts into active commerce. Thanks to owner and developer Roland von Kurnatowski, these business men and women will be able to imagine their business in a brick and mortar location in the heart of downtown’s Central Business District.

Baked is the food of Northern Italy. Owner Christa Free was born and lived in Italy and learned to cook watching her mother. She believes that food is an insight into culture and that everything must be market-fresh. Expect mouth-watering paninis, lasagna, fresh-baked breads and desserts, cinnamon-maple rolls and fruit drinks. Free’s cooking has been an avocation much longer than a vocation and is a long way from her role as chief of the Dallas business office of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. 

TWINE – Rick Rose opened the popular TWINE restaurant two years ago as a place for food and fellowship. Twine is creative in its menu, flavors and presentation. Freshness is key in TWINE’s creative sandwiches, salads and desserts. Rose loves trying new things and believes it is important not to be scared of change and reinvention. 

If energy equals success, it would be good to bet on Summer Black, outgoing owner of Fleur De Crème. Black bubbles with personality and has found a way to satisfy every sweet tooth with homemade ice cream infused with roasted strawberries, creole cheesecake and salted caramel. Black’s background is in logistics and transportation, but a life change provided her the opportunity to encourage people to begin eating dessert first. Her ice creams start with fresh, steroid-free local milk and many of the fruits are sourced locally. Black has a roadmap for success and her five-year plan is to become a regional producer of fine ice creams.

Fashion-minded Latoya Amos’ Le Affine’ Couture shows women that smart and chic need not be expensive. Her online clothing and accessories business has done well enough to make her think about her own line of women’s, children’s and men’s clothing and home décor. Amos has been in the fashion business for 15 years and hopes the experience and contacts she gets during Pop UP will allow her to one day open her own brick and mortar location.

India Mona loves, wears and collects hats and through her interest, her business Red I was born. Mona provides custom-made headwear with a nod to stylish Fedoras, re-imagined for modern use. She promises style and surprises and thinks of fashion as an expression of personality. Her wide range of unique hats work equally well for women, men and children. She also carries specialty extended T-shirts. 

Artist Megan Davis Taylor has never met a family pet she couldn’t paint in a portrait. Llama? Yes. Goldfish? She can do that, too. However, some of her cutest models are of the furry family member variety. Taylor can paint from a photo or in person (yes, your dog is welcome to come model in person). No pet? No worries. Taylor also has a line of paintings of wild and domestic animals from which to choose. 

Hot off the presses is Global Images, LLC – what we think will be the “next big thing.” Owner Shelley Hoppaugh has a patent pending on a new and innovative frame that incorporates LED lighting in the frame. Her frames will initially be offered in 11x14 in different colors and styles. The photograph or painting does not need to be professionally mounted and can be changed as often as the owner would like.  There is already great interest in Hoppaugh’s invention by some major retail chains. 

Pop UP runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 22-Oct. 3 at 616 Texas St. and you are invited to pop in early and often.