Behind the scenes here at In Search Of, we've been toiling away with the really difficult decision of choosing to stay in Lithuania for another year, or moving elsewhere. Since about October, J and I have been going back and forth about where we most want to live and what our personal and professional goals are for the upcoming years. We've been trying (and failing) to make future plans, decide whether to stay expats or re-pat, all while attempting to consider what's best for Baby ISO and for our parents. And let me tell you, with that many factors in play, it has been a very stressful several months.

Our big decision was made in November/December when J chose not to re-sign his contract to stay in Vilnius. Really, saying it like that sounds like I had no vote in the matter, but it was a unanimous decision. Though we love living in Vilnius, there are some things that we need right now that it doesn't readily offer. I'm rather torn about leaving because I do love it here and have made such wonderful friends, but it is time; I don't want to overstay.

So that means we are moving at the end of the school year! For months after choosing to leave our expat home in Vilnius, we both have been filling out job applications like mad people and worrying that neither of us will get a job and we'll have to move back in with our parents (with a kid and a cat at the age of ~30). Talk about stress and worry. Talk about a lot of late nights and working weekends. That limbo period is really not a fun time.

But about a month ago, we got good news. J was offered a fabulous job in a location where I'll be able to pursue ample freelance opportunities. But I'm totally going to be that blogger and share the good news with you next time (please don't hate me!).

In the meantime, do you have any guesses where we are moving to? Are we staying abroad or moving back to the US? I'd love to know what you think.

Sometimes living in Lithuania can be a challenge (oh those dark winter days!), so I wanted to focus on forgetting about the challenges and enjoying the positives. I started this series a few years ago to make myself get out and experience the more creative side of Lithuania. For this series I wanted to focus on creative events, unique aspects of the culture or language, and cool places that I find around Lithuania. Previously I've written about Open Kitchen, the Beer Marathon, the Lithuanian Design Block, Pottery Class, Coffee Enthusiasm, and Vilnius Gastro. If you have any suggestions of things to check out I'd love to hear them!


Vilnius is pretty awesome when it comes to pop up events featuring local designers and small business owners doing there thing. I find new designers on Instagram and Facebook nearly each week. Every couple of months a new designer event makes its way onto my schedule.

Maybe you love supporting small designers and local businesses as much as I do, or maybe you are looking for a very authentic souvenir to remember your cool trip to Vilnius. Whatever it is, today I wanted to share how to find pop up shopping events and local designers in Vilnius.

 

Pop Up Events

 Kauno Kulturos Kablys

I'm starting off with my favorite pop up design event in Vilnius -- seasonal pop up shops held at the Kauno Kulturo Kalbys (otherwise known as the Hook Building). Held quarterly, these pop ups feature everything from clothing and accessories, to cake, coffee, and books. I've been eyeing some jewelry by several of the local Lithuanian brands (I love DD Workshop), so I think I'll be treating myself soon!

The pop ups held at Kablys are my favorite because the venue is smaller and feels a bit more manageable, even in crowds. It is easy to get to and the guys from Crooked Nose and Coffee Stories are always selling their awesome coffee and cool brewing devices. The Hook is also just a super cool building, making it fun to stop by and shop!

The Kablys will be hosting the Spring Pop Up on April 8 and 9 from 11 am until 7 pm.

Find out more on their website and Instagram, which announces all of the designers.

Loftas

Loftsa is a cool (way too cool for me) music venue that occasionally hosts design festivals, called Uptown Markets. These markets are held roughly once per quarter and feature similar local designers as PopUp.LT. Loftas is a much large venue, with outdoor space and potentially two large indoor spaces open for designers.

The only problem really with Uptown Markets held at Loftas is that they can be sometimes really confusing to enter. Though Loftas has a clearly marked entrance on Svitrigailos g. 8 (behind the bus stop), sometimes this entrance is closed and you must go around the side of the building.

The benefit of holding a design pop up at Loftas is the ample outdoor space allowing for food trucks, street art, tables, and sometimes, live music. They also tend to have far more designers due to the larger space.

To find the side entrance, walk past the Iki grocery store and store selling home items -- towards the building with street art (the written art, you'll see what I mean). Enter through the sort of dilapidated gates and wind your way through kind of creepy industrial buildings. As the street art becomes more concentrated, you'll start seeing signs and spotting food trucks and designer wear. Don't get discouraged! You'll find it! **If you'd like me to draw a map or have specific questions, feel free to email me!

The next Up Town Market is on April 22 and 23 from 12 pm to 6:30 pm.

Local Designers

If your trip to Vilnius doesn't happen to coincide with one of the pop up design events, don't worry! You can still shop great Lithuanian designers at brick and mortar stores in Vilnius. I've written quite a long post about second hand, vintage, and local designer shops before, so I'll link that here. Stores do tend to come and go pretty quickly in Vilnius and a couple of the stores I featured in that article are no longer around (I've noted it in the original article).

Locals.LT

Conveniently located in the mall Gedimino 9, Locals.LT stocks the most popular items from several Lithuanian designers. In store they sell clothing, jewelry, accessories, and home items -- a perfect place to stop for a locally made goodie to take home! The store is also really nicely organized, making it easy to find what you are looking for.

Aukso Avis

Aukso Avis is a jewelry store selling only handmade items from local designers. They carry both affordable and more luxury brands (prices tend to be about 10 EUR to 150 EUR), and everything is color coordinated!

Sarka

Sarka is one of my favorite places to shop in Vilnius as it has such a wide array of options to choose from. This small store is packed with high quality vintage finds, beautiful re-worked pieces, and clothes from their in-house designer. They also carry shoes, accessories, and decorations for the home.

Linen Tales

Lithuania is well known for its linen products, so it seems only natural to purchase a linen item. Linen Tales has two stores in Vilnius as well as a really great online shop. Be warned -- those who are nesting or love decorating are going to want to watch their wallet here!

Eva Design

I love the gorgeous dresses by Eva Design! Selling very carefully tailored women's shirts, skirts, and dresses, the option is very selective, but really creative and beautiful.

Pop ups can also be found in Kaunas -- the 2022 European Cultural Capital! Check PopUp.Lt, although they same to be held less frequently. Local designers also sometimes share a text (the one that looks like a bubble) during large weekend festivals that happen pretty regularly in the summer months in Vilnius (also at Kaziukas and the pre-Easter festival).


What would you add to the list? Any other pop up events I don't know about yet?