In Store Event Ideas From a Coconut Cart at Bloomingdale's

Bloomingdale's named their beauty event The Makeup Date, and I decided that meant we were bringing the dates. Of all the in store event ideas I could tell you about, this is the one where a department store beauty floor full of people went on a date with a coconut. One of them went on two.

Windandsea Coconuts is a San Diego company that serves fresh Nam Hom coconuts hot-stamped with a logo or design and opened in front of guests. On Saturday, May 16, 2026, we brought our coconut cart to the beauty floor of a Bloomingdale's store for The Makeup Date, with the coconuts stamped THE MAKEUP DATE over the Bloomingdale's wordmark.

in store event ideas, but make it a date

By 11:37 that morning the coconuts were stacked in a pyramid on monstera leaves, with purple orchids tucked in. Each one got a straw and a little paper umbrella in blue, green, purple or pink. These coconuts were more ready for a date than I have ever been for anything in my life.

The cart said THE MAKEUP DATE bloomingdale's across the front in black letters, under a big white fringed umbrella, with potted palms and monstera on either side. We were parked on a black-and-white checkerboard floor between the makeup counters, right by the fine fragrances sign and a lit-up CHANEL sign. Very fancy neighborhood. We were the only ones on the block with a straw in our product.

There was a mint-green sign in a mirrored frame with the plan on it: The Makeup Date, fresh coconut from us, May 16, 1 to 5 PM. So yes, the coconuts were dressed and waiting hours before 1. Showed up early to the date. Classic overeager move. I respect it, I've done it.

what does a coconut cart in a department store look like?

A white cart under a big fringed umbrella, stacked with chilled stamped coconuts, with two of our crew in aprons and black gloves opening them for people. Basically a tiny beach that took a wrong turn at the makeup counters and decided to stay.

The tray of opened coconuts was so packed with straws and paper umbrellas it looked like a very small, very festive forest.

The stamp was THE MAKEUP DATE over the Bloomingdale's wordmark, hot-stamped in brown right on the shell. People ask for engraved coconuts. It's actually a hot stamp. But sure.

everybody's date showed up

Turns out if you call it The Makeup Date, people commit to the bit harder than I do.

One woman in a denim jacket did the whole date, start to finish. She held her coconut in both hands, very polite, first-date energy. Then she closed her eyes and blew it a kiss. Then a selfie. Then she held it up in front of the sign by the Chanel counter, like she was introducing it to her friends. That's three dates of progress in one afternoon. They're basically engaged.

Then there was the guest holding two coconuts at once. Double-booked. At The Makeup Date. In public. I'm not judging, I'm just saying the whole cart saw it.

A woman in blue glasses held hers out at arm's length, grinning, like she'd won it at the county fair knocking over milk bottles. Plenty of people stopped in front of the cart to snap their coconut on their phone, which is what you do when a date goes well and the group chat needs to know. Several guests were even wearing name badges. Very first date. Hi, my name is, and this is my coconut.

the crew situation

Meanwhile, under the umbrella, our two people were high-fiving with coconuts in their other hands. Then they clinked the coconuts together like champagne. I have no notes. Best behavior anyone has ever pulled off in black gloves.

beauty event ideas from the coconut guy

Bloomingdale's wanted shoppers to stop and stay. Put a name on something cold, hand it over with an orchid, and people stop. The line never really cleared, which on a first date is a very good sign.

My whole list of retail activation ideas is that one idea, said with more confidence each time.

I started this business in 2021 with a breakfast sandwich cart on the Pacific Beach boardwalk. Nobody ever blew a breakfast sandwich a kiss. Believe me, I was watching.

If you want branded coconuts for events on your own floor, this is how we do activations. I'll bring the dates. I can't promise everyone sticks to one.