Conroe Courier November 7, 2023

This holiday season, downtown Conroe shoppers have a new option for making their list and checking it twice. 

The new Holiday Pop Up Shop is set up in the old State Hotel building at 213 North Thompson Street. The indoor market with 19 vendors opened Nov. 1 and will continue through Dec. 31. 

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Here are five things to know about the holiday pop up:

Who are the organizers? 

The pop up is organized by downtown Conroe business owner Farralyn Withrow. Withrow runs the weekly Saturday morning Main Street Market on the courthouse square and earlier this year she opened the vintage Western boutique Small Town Famous also in the State Hotel building. 

The former hotel building is owned by Rodney Pool who also owns the Corner Pub in downtown Conroe. While visiting San Antonio, Pool saw a holiday pop-up market there and brought the idea to Withrow who ran with it.

History of the State Hotel

The two-story State Hotel, located at the northwest corner of Thompson and Metcalf streets, was constructed back in 1932 — a time of great prosperity and opportunity in Conroe’s history following the major oil discovery by George Strake.

With rooms at a premium, the facility became home to a significant number of workers in the oilfields and the fast-growing retail community that came from a rapid expansion.

The 37-room brick hotel was built by local dentist Dr. John L. Hicks and Houston architect Blum Hester — who would later design the Crighton Theatre.

The property operated as a hotel until the late 1980s.

In the 2000s, the property was bought by Conroe businessman Rodney Pool. Now there is retail space on the bottom floor and apartments on the top floors. The pop-up space was most recently a wellness center. 

About the pop up

Visitors enter a lobby area where the check-out counter is located. To the left is a studio area where she hopes to bring in Santa for pictures. There is a long hall with rooms full of goods set up on either side of the hall. 

The market focuses on local, handmade artisan items including clothing, accessories, purses, art, holiday decor, jewelry, soaps, candles, candies, hair accessories, handcrafted cutting boards, jams and jellies, bakery items and handmade chocolates. 

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Withrow said the most unique vendor is Joshua Chocolate from Turkish chocolatier Yetkin Degirmenci who is newly in Conroe but has been making chocolate delights for a decade. 

Market hours are Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. 

Withrow said the market will continue through the holiday season and then she and Pool will consider the possibility of extending the shopping experience into the new year. 

For more on the Holiday Pop Up Shop visit the Main Street Market Facebook page.Â