Locally Powered Change: What We Can Learn from West Hollywood and Boombox
WeHoX, West Hollywood’s forward-looking civic program has been named as one of the honorees in SXSW Eco’s Place by Design Competition under Urban Strategy and Civic Engagement.
Created to highlight projects that drive meaningful change, SXSW Eco Place by Design gathers innovators together to exhibit work with positive civic and ecological benefits. Finalists will meet in Austin from October 10–12, where a jury will decide the winners.
“I am very proud of the achievements of the WeHoX program,” said West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister. “Being selected as a Place by Design finalist is a great honor that shows our city’s commitment to forward-thinking solutions.”
WeHoX was established in 2015, when West Hollywood also published its first Innovations Annual Report. The document outlined a broad range of projects and innovation targets and remains accessible online.
While many Place by Design applicants work in architecture and urban design, others include artists, developers, and civic groups. In its category, WeHoX is recognized alongside initiatives like Chicago’s Boombox micro-retail kiosk and Austin’s Drawing Lines project.
Retail is facing a rapid transformation, driven by evolving consumer expectations, emerging technologies, and creative community partnerships. Across the country, communities and organizations are experimenting with fresh approaches to help retailers adjust, grow, and engage with their audiences. These retail innovation hubs are showing how flexible kiosks, technology solutions, and collaborative spaces can reshape the shopping experience.
One of the most prominent trends is the rise of pop-up and micro-retail kiosks, which provide temporary storefronts for entrepreneurs. These spaces give small businesses, independent creators, and online brands to pilot products in live settings without the cost of long-term leases. Projects like Boombox in Chicago have demonstrated that transforming vacant public spaces into micro-shops can revitalize neighborhoods while giving retailers accessible, adaptable opportunities to reach customers.
Innovation in retail doesn’t stop at physical space. Many retailers are blending digital engagement with in-person experiences to strengthen customer connections. From QR-enabled displays that extend stories online to livestream product launches from inside pop-up spaces, retailers are discovering new ways to merge the immediacy of brick-and-mortar with the reach of online platforms. This hybrid model not only broadens access but also provides important data for retailers to optimize their strategies.
Retail innovation is also being advanced by partnerships between businesses, local governments, and community groups. Programs that link retail pilots with civic engagement goals—such as promoting sustainability, supporting local artisans, or rebuilding main streets—show that innovation can have both financial and social impact. By creating platforms where entrepreneurs and communities interact, these initiatives demonstrate that retail can be a tool for connection and civic renewal.
As cities move forward, retail innovation hubs are emerging as blueprints for the future of commerce. They offer more than just places to shop—they create opportunities for storytelling, education, and cultural exchange. By encouraging experimentation and reducing barriers to entry, these initiatives help retailers of all sizes adapt to shifting landscapes while keeping communities vibrant and strong.