© Paul Markow

POP-CYCLE

Located along Tucson's historic Fourth Avenue, Pop-Cycle specializes in sustainable, organic and "up-cycled" materials. Here, artist-owner Jennifer Radler explains up-cycling and how her store is defining Tucson's indy-shopping scene.

Your tagline is "pop-art up-cycling and a refreshing treat." What's your definitionof up-cycling?
If you recycle something, you're breaking it down and using it again, but up-cycling is using it in its original form and using it for a different purpose..

Explain the evolution of Pop-Cycle.
We opened the store on September 20, 2008. It actually came pretty easily to us, surprisingly. It was a collection of my sister's and sister-in-law's designs. We thought, Why not create a recycled-art store in the front and a workspace in the back? The grand opening was my favorite moment because there were a lot of people present, and we all felt very lucky to have the support we did, right from the start. We immediately felt a sense of community.

How has Tucson responded to Pop-Cycle?
I think we're in the best location in the city, because Fourth Avenue is where all the greatest locally owned shops and restaurants are in this area, so there are a lot of walking-traffic visitors. Our customers have really promoted us and are so supportive of the store. I think it's the loyalty of the customers that has really allowed us to grow as we have.

— Maggie Pingolt

Pop-Cycle is located at 422 N. Fourth Avenue in Tucson. For more information, call 520-622-3297 or visit www.popcycleshop.com.

>> Back to Local Favorites Archive