A Retail Incubator Extraordinaire

Situation• A downtown retail environment

that needed reenergizing• A declining entrepreneurial

merchant class• An economy that kept aspiring

retailers from committing to long term leases

• The expense of opening a start-up business was an obstacle

SolutionAn incubator setting that

provides:– Fully renovated space – Full-time, six-day-a week staffing– Point of sale system– Sales tax reporting – Training with a retail consultant–Marketing assistance– Short term leases

Process• Establish a non-profit entity to

apply for grants• Locate and renovate space• Secure a retail consultant • Develop a brand• Recruit new and expanding

retailers• Provide on-going education &

training for tenants

The space before and during renovation

Renovations Complete - October 2011

Early merchant mix

The Urban Emporium five months after start up

Media Coverage

Press-Register, August 2011

Local NBC affiliate coverage

Media Coverage

Sense MagazineJanuary 2012

Zalea MagazineFebruary 2012

Testimonials“I always knew I wanted to be downtown, and the Emporium gave me the opportunity to do it sooner rather than later.” –Debra Carey, UE graduate“Because of this [program], I have been

able to open Shonnese’ Boutique, which carries fine clothing in addition to the skincare and accessories that we carried at the Urban Emporium.” – LaTrynnda Hollins, UE graduate

“I applaud the Downtown Mobile Alliance for creating this new retail venture for the downtown community. If downtown is truly going to be a successful destination for tourists and residents, retail has got to be an integral part of the downtown experience.” – Bill Barrick, original UE tenant

Outcome after 18 Months•Two retailers moved from internet sales only into the incubator •Two start up retailers moved from the incubator into independent storefronts•One start up is now several months into the incubator experience•Another start up has more than doubled her space, with a one-year plan to locate to an independent storefront•One start up discovered that retailing was not what he expected, and wisely decided not to pursue that career•Armed with Urban Emporium training, one current tenant was confident enough to open a second retail location after the office of her design consultation business was destroyed by a tornado