I have been involved in the revitalization of cities and towns for over twenty-five years and it has become crystal clear to me, and many others, that if we are to infuse local character into a community and stop the scourge of Big-Box retailers—then we need to create entrepreneurial downtowns and commercial districts—period. In an era when one place has begun to look like every other place, local entrepreneurs can make the difference in creating a unique local identity. Incubators become centers of creativity and change –no matter the size of the community.

I started a business called the Downtown Entrepreneurship Project (http://www.downtownproject.com) to help downtowns and commercial districts become more entrepreneur-friendly. That business, now two years old, has helped many downtowns find their footing through entrepreneurial growth. What we discovered in our research and by getting to know first-hand the real needs of communities across the country, is that Retail Incubators can be a wonderful entrepreneurship tool. Not the only tool—but an interesting and vital one. One you should be exploring.

Retail Incubators allow people to enter the world of business inexpensively and with support and guidance along the way from peers, trained professionals and the community! Sure, Retail Incubators are not for everyone, they are not even for every community—but they can be a catalyst for economic rebirth in downtowns, commercial districts and neighborhoods across the country—if done right. They create a win-win situation. New retailers are hatched, born and move out into the community—and the community gets increased economic stability when empty storefronts are filled with vital, interesting and thriving businesses that “graduate” from the incubator.

We at the RETAIL INCUBATION GROUP have taken the time to study what makes Retail Incubators work and how Incubators can be successful over time—and how they can transform a community. We understand that Retail Incubators have to be managed correctly from day one and need to be managed as businesses unto themselves. We bring professionalism, experience, realism and unbounded enthusiasm to the table. We do not offer a “pie-in-the sky” approach to Retail Incubation, but rather a business model that will increase the chances of success for your Retail Incubator. In short, we know what works and does not when it comes to Retail Incubators.

So if you are thinking about starting a Retail Incubator, please call us here at the Retail Incubation Group. This is a labor of love for us—and we will work with you every step of the way to ensure a successful Retail Incubator for your community. Innovation starts with that first bold and creative step. Let’s get started.

Chuck D'Aprix

Principal