A discussion over coffee with friends about shopping trends in the city has resulted in the women creating a new retail space aimed at supporting local designers and businesses.

Owner of the space, Olivia Brown, said the idea was to give designers and small businesses, who generally work online, the opportunity to have a physical place they can direct customers to.

“We’re building on the pop-up shops that have happened in Ballarat before,” she said.

“More people are opting to buy hand-crafted things again to get that unique quality product. It’s an opportunity to have something different.

“Selling online can only go so far before people want to touch things.”

She said the new space works like a retail space, where designers and business owners can rent out a space for a daily fee, while making 100 per cent of the profit from any sales of their products.

“Designers have been really enthusiastic. Some have concerns markets have had their day and shared collective space is the way to go,” Ms Brown said.

“Most of our designers are young mums who can be at markets from 5am setting up, so the space where they don’t need to be here is quite attractive to them.”

Currently 12 designers from Ballarat, Stawell, Geelong and Melbourne currently have their wares, which include jewellery, baby items, homewares and art, on display.

Ms Brown said the pop-up space was currently in its trial stage and will open again next Friday and Saturday (July 8-9) between 10am-4pm before closing.

“I’d love it to be permanent, hopefully this will kick-start it all,” she said. 

“We’re aiming to open again next school holidays and stay open until Christmas.”

She said if the concept proved popular, stock in the space would constantly change. 

The store is located at 52 Victoria Street, Ballarat East.