Target is coming to SF for 2 days.

Starting Dec. 11th, the bulls-eye is setting its sights on San Francisco for a limited time only in the form of a pop-up store. With the amount of vacant real estate due to the economy, brands are do some unique things to generate buzz. It's a smart edition to any ad campaign. The following article is from SFGate. -Jon

Target squeezing into Mint Plaza (Chronicle photo)

Local media is buzzing about the new Target that's heading San Francisco. But unlike the one proposed for Metreon, this Target will be temporary. On Dec. 11, the Target-to-go will park itself in Mint Plaza, sell its wares and then vanish Dec. 13. [Tip to Curbed SF | SFist | Examiner]

While ephemeral establishments have been around for years, the concept is gaining steam, especially in this economy. Retailers see the pop-up as a relatively easy and fast way to make a buck. They get cheap space, (there's no need to sign a long-term lease), cheap publicity and a cheap outlet to test new products. They also fill vacant space, making desperate landlords happy.

But as you'll see below, the pop-ups vary in style and concept:

-- Some stores emphasized presentation. Puma City was a traveling 11,000-square-foot space made of 24 shipping containers. It landed in Boston in May. Uniqlo, from Japan, roved the streets of New York in 2007. Delta's SKY 360 -- part ticket kiosk, part lounge, part nightclub, part grounded jet -- showcased everything from luxury airline seats to in-flight menu tastings.

Puma City (more photos from Street Attack)

Delta SKY 360

-- Other pop-up stores try to entice customers with gimmicks. Lexus turned into a mini art gallery, Ford Fusion kiosk offered makeovers, while JVC broke out the karaoke machine. Nonretailers include Design.Starts.Here. -- a collaboration of four Manhattan architecture firms -- the U.S. Potato Board (Mr. Healthy Potato Head and all) and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Visitors Bureau
(video)

-- And who can forget one of the most iconic pop-ups of all?

[RELATED LINKS: North Beach's Local Patron | Pop-ups in NYC | Pop-ups in S.F.]