The Bare Bones

248 people liked this

Bare Bones in the flesh!

A temporary, ever-changing (fluid) pop-up retail third place managed by Bristol Rising members (leased by Renaissance Downtowns) to demonstrate what a Main Street storefront business could be, as well as host Bristol Rising events.

Bristol Rising is about getting people to dream, to let go of their inhibitions about whether or not Bristol can change for the better. However, it also needs to be about getting things done, getting people used to the idea of shopping locally and spending time downtown sooner rather than later. It’s never too early to start creating a cultural feel in the location that we wish to shape.

Volunteers will maintain the day-to-day operations of the store and local artists will rent work space to keep the place lively. Everyone will bring their own mug to hang on the wall for when they want to socialize around a pot of coffee, and there will be a BYOB policy for certain events. Furniture will be eclectic and donated, along with books and other items. Eventually, many events can be held throughout the day, promoting other local businesses and building the community.

Activities-
Bristol Historical Trivia
Open Mic
Gallery night
Board game night
High school battle of the bands
Poetry slams
Bingo
Bridge
Caricature artists
Break dancers
Film festivals
Drum circles
Writing Cirlces
Author Series

Info sessions-
Sustainability
Writing grants
Business plans
Green thumb lessons

Bristol rising meetings!

Find us on Facebook!

Posted in: Public Amenities, Retail
Tagged: artists, beatnik, coffee, fab five, fluid, meetings, mug, open mic, piazza, temporary, webuiltit, workspace

Avatar of Robin Messerli Submitted by Robin Messerli
March 24, 2011 (last changed February 19, 2013)

24 March 2011 Written by Robin Messerli 34 Comments

Top Comments

  1. Avatar of dina coviello
    dina coviello
    September 20, 2011 at 3:47 pm
    2

    wait till I get to rock the house on open mic, or GraffitiRap night(if we do a graffitirap night, lol) !!!

    creativity wont stop!

  2. Avatar of Jennifer Calvo
    Jennifer Calvo
    September 19, 2011 at 3:25 pm
    2

    I am so excited for Bare Bones :-)
    The grass-roots feel, of creativity and community is such a wonderful idea. I cannot wait to be a part of it :-)

  3. Avatar of Liz Radl
    Liz
    September 19, 2011 at 2:53 pm
    3

    Can’t wait for it to open!! Thanks to all of you who have already put in so much time, love and energy into making this happen!

  4. Avatar of Amanda D.
    Amanda D.
    September 14, 2011 at 1:27 am
    2

    Voted!!! Great idea :-)

  5. Avatar of Sarah Radl
    Sarah Radl
    September 14, 2011 at 12:35 am
    1

    This space is so beautiful! I felt at-home as soon as I walked in. I can’t wait to spend time with all of you here when Bare Bones officially opens! We still need 45 more votes by Sept. 20th to show Bristol that the rest of YOU want to come out and enjoy BB. Please… continue to spread the word! Best, Sarah

All 34 Comments

  1. Avatar of Robin Messerli
    Robin Messerli
    November 26, 2011 at 5:43 pm
    0

    Don’t forget to like us now that we’re open!

  2. Avatar of Evan
    Evan
    September 30, 2011 at 10:14 am
    0

    PLEASE OPEN SOON. Thanks :)

  3. Avatar of Robin Messerli
    Robin Messerli
    September 20, 2011 at 5:59 pm
    0

    WOO HOO!!! Don’t forget to like the rest of the Fab Five while you’re logged in!

  4. Avatar of dina coviello
    dina coviello
    September 20, 2011 at 3:47 pm
    2

    wait till I get to rock the house on open mic, or GraffitiRap night(if we do a graffitirap night, lol) !!!

    creativity wont stop!

  5. Avatar of dina coviello
    dina coviello
    September 20, 2011 at 3:45 pm
    0

    lindsay is an amazing woman, who not only is successful in her ideas, but is creative and set on reaching her goals! BARE BONES rocks! i cant wait to volunteer!!

  6. Avatar of Jennifer Calvo
    Jennifer Calvo
    September 19, 2011 at 3:25 pm
    2

    I am so excited for Bare Bones :-)
    The grass-roots feel, of creativity and community is such a wonderful idea. I cannot wait to be a part of it :-)

  7. Avatar of Liz Radl
    Liz Radl
    September 19, 2011 at 2:53 pm
    3

    Can’t wait for it to open!! Thanks to all of you who have already put in so much time, love and energy into making this happen!

  9. Avatar of Sarah Radl
    Sarah Radl
    September 14, 2011 at 12:35 am
    1

    This space is so beautiful! I felt at-home as soon as I walked in. I can’t wait to spend time with all of you here when Bare Bones officially opens! We still need 45 more votes by Sept. 20th to show Bristol that the rest of YOU want to come out and enjoy BB. Please… continue to spread the word! Best, Sarah

  12. Avatar of Robin Messerli
    Robin Messerli
    September 10, 2011 at 1:14 am
    0

    Being in the space today with furniture and everything was beyond exciting! I know that once you see the space, you’ll make sure to double check that you’ve ‘liked’ the Bare Bones here. I bet you’ll even be motivated to help all your friends and family double check that we’ve gotten your thumbs up! This count on the survey site is vital to showing that we can reach our goals and prove our worth, so please help–it doesn’t take long! Thanks to everyone who’s made us a success so far!

  14. Avatar of Joanne Triolo
    Joanne Triolo
    July 13, 2011 at 10:08 pm
    2

    This is a really important landmark for Bristol Rising! Like Phoenix rising from the ashes…starting over and a back to the future kind of landmark, yet with a brand new twist. Support this 200%

  15. Avatar of Gary Graff-Lawton
    Gary Graff-Lawton
    July 7, 2011 at 7:27 am
    2

    This will be a great addition to the enitre downtown area. Working together we can bring Bristol to the forefront of Connecticut.

  16. Avatar of Lindsay Vigue
    Lindsay Vigue
    July 6, 2011 at 8:19 pm
    0

    We need just THREE more votes!!!!

  17. Avatar of Charlie Cyr
    Charlie Cyr
    May 16, 2011 at 12:34 pm
    0

    Spoke to Lindsy Vigue about this yesterday. Looking forward to seeing this go forward.

  18. Avatar of Robin Messerli
    Robin Messerli
    May 1, 2011 at 7:47 pm
    0

    FYI there will not be a BYOB policy for certain events within the first three months. We may still have wine-tastings or other events involving alcohol, but they will be organized on a case-by-case basis.

  19. Avatar of Robin Messerli
    Robin Messerli
    May 1, 2011 at 6:54 pm
    0

    http://www.refresheverything.com/fluidspacecafe

    Now you can vote for the Fluid Store-front in the Pepsi Challenge!

  25. Avatar of Robin Messerli
    Robin Messerli
    April 12, 2011 at 2:39 pm
    2

    Mission Statement!

    The “Bare Bones Cafe of Bristol” is a work place, home base, and meeting place for artists of all media and a showcase for their work. In addition, the cafe will be representative of the vitality of Bristol’s art’s community, past, present, and future, and will strive to be a welcoming presence to all, within as well as outside of our city.

  26. Avatar of Neil T
    Neil T
    April 1, 2011 at 1:22 pm
    0

    Look up ‘pop-up retail’ which explores the trends surrounding the fluid storefront idea, and if you wanted to take it deeper, check out ‘nowism’.

  27. Avatar of Andy Adams
    Andy Adams
    March 31, 2011 at 8:57 pm
    1

    I love this!! I know it will be a hit…Can’t wait! great ideas listed!

  28. Avatar of Dante Cimadamore Jr
    Dante Cimadamore Jr
    March 31, 2011 at 6:18 pm
    1

    I think this is a great place to start.

  29. Avatar of Robin Messerli
    Robin Messerli
    March 31, 2011 at 12:24 pm
    2

    How has this been recommended by 25 people on FB but have only 16 votes? Come on, Bristol Rising, let’s not slack on our voting power!

  30. Avatar of Sherri Schon
    Sherri Schon
    March 29, 2011 at 3:25 pm
    2

    If we want to have a trivia night I know some people who might be able to host it. :)

  31. Avatar of Camille Essel
    Camille Essel
    March 28, 2011 at 12:46 pm
    0

    I like the suggested offerings. They are very mainstream.

    Also the location seems ideal at this point.

  32. Avatar of Michelle St. Pierre
    Michelle St. Pierre
    March 25, 2011 at 5:04 pm
    0

    Thanks for submitting this, Robin!

  34. Avatar of Robin Messerli
    Robin Messerli
    March 24, 2011 at 9:05 pm
    0

    Haha… we have those exact chairs (the grey and green square ones in the back of the drawing) at the student center of my College. The furniture in the Fluid Store-Front will be less expensive and more mix-matched, but thanks for adding those pictures–they’re perfect!

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