The Garages | Retail Incubator Application

THE MISSION.

Attract new businesses that provide needed/desired services or products within downtown and surrounding area to address demand of residents, employees and visitors, as well as increase foot traffic and create a viable commercial core.

Contribute to the overall value of downtown by encouraging retail, which makes downtown a more vibrant, sustainable, livable place and adds value to other businesses and investments in downtown.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR.

A Garage business is fresh, innovative, and not afraid to bend the rules of the traditional business model. The strongest applicants will have concepts that embrace new business ideas and the ability to thrive in the modern era. Ones that create unique experiences, products, and services. We want entrepreneurs who understand that the place they create is just as important as the product they offer. Above all, we’re looking for businesses that exemplify: incredible design, regular activation, and exceptional offerings.

ELIGIBILITY.

New retail businesses or existing retail businesses looking to expand current facilities by more than 30% which complements the downtown retail mix and help strengthen the existing retail clusters. Type of businesses eligible:

Apparel/other clothing
Shoes, boots and other footwear
Home furnishings and furniture, hardware
Specialty food stores/grocers/gourmet establishments such as fruit and produce
markets, seafood, butcher shops, bodegas, etc. (does not include convenience stores)
Pharmacies
Bookstores, music, and other entertainment media
Electronics
Used merchandise (vintage, etc.)
Toys and games, hobbies
Gift card/stationary
Sporting goods stores
Jewelry stores
Crafting or production workshops such as glass blowing, ceramic/pottery, antique
reclamation

The following businesses are not eligible for the Retail Incentive Grant: bars, restaurants, financial services, offices, or any uses that do not allow for the sale of products or services to the general public. We retain discretion to consider stores that fall outside the above definition, but sell goods and serve a retail function for downtown that does not currently exist or is very limited. Additionally, as downtown adds new retailers with the above goods, The Garages retains discretion to turn down applicants who provide goods already being sold in downtown or where no market demand is demonstrated.

BENEFITS.

The Garages will provide you:

• $1,000 start-up investment 

• $500 professional services budget to be paid by the program manager

• A lease at a retail incubator location with tiered rent 

• A customized mentorship team for support during the business startup and evolution phases 

ONGOING REQUIREMENTS.

As a Pop Up Retail business, company agrees to maintain an active business, occupy the space listed above, and remains in good standing with property management. They will participate in regular coaching meetings and mentorship meetings as needed, and provide business profile information (including employees, space investments, traffic counts and revenue) to help inform as to the need for and benefit of its assistance for the purpose of building small businesses in the Wichita core.

The Garages is committed to engage with company to facilitate its growth as a small business beyond the incubator term to expand, support and encourage retail presences in the Wichita core.
 

This is an ongoing program, and all applications submitted will be considered for future openings.