IT'S HERE // The 3rd Ward SHOPBOX at the Dekalb Market Reinvents Retail

Photos by Liz Clayman

What's green, part-department store window, part-automat and part-robot? We won't leave you scratching your head too long, because we're dying to show you the 3rd Ward SHOPBOX, which we gave the New York Times a sneak peak of last week.

The SHOPBOX, located at the Dekalb Market (where we've also been farming and hosting free workshops), is a retail store from the future. Anyone can browse the stunning window displays, which showcase American-made products like Topo backpacks, a Mopha tool roll and a Makerbot 3D printer. See something you fancy? Send a quick text message or buy online at www.3rdward.com/shopbox and it's headed for your doorstep.

As with the rest of Dekalb Market's vendors, all of the magic takes place within a converted shipping container. We've spruced it up quite a bit though, with spinning, multi-level pedestals and a colored light program, all orchestrated using experiential design software.

Yes, the SHOPBOX is as cool as it sounds (just look at the pictures below), and yes, you need to pay it a visit ASAP. It's right by the market's main entrance, so you can't miss it. Window shopping is, of course, welcome.

More photos of the SHOPBOX after the jump.