The Arts Marketplace (AMP) at Studio Park and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) are launching the Downtown Retail Incubator Program (DRIP) to support aspiring business owners in their journey from a retail concept to a permanent storefront presence Downtown.

AMP is a collaborative retail space launched in December 2020 that will serve as the primary home of the program. Over the years it has supported over 125 local artists, entrepreneurs and maker businesses.

The creation of a formal retail incubation program compliments a series of additional business support initiatives led by DGRI. These include various attraction and retention efforts that provide funding support to help new businesses pay their rent for 18 months, enhance their marketing efforts in partnership with other Downtown businesses, host special events and partner with DGRI to maximize their brand awareness and profile Downtown.

DRIP will work with aspiring entrepreneurs to create a road map for their business that involves skill and gap assessments, connections to local economic support organizations, trainings and education (retail trends, business marketing, event planning), success monitoring and continuing support mechanisms.

“Over the last six to eight years, we’ve had solid success working with partners to attract and retain new retail businesses Downtown,” said Melvin Eledge, Director of Operations at DGRI. “This program represents the next step of working to cultivate new businesses and ensure that we maximize the start-up and support resources that are available from the many partner organizations we work with. We’re all working towards the same goal: a thriving and unique retail community Downtown. This program formalizes partnerships, maximizes efficiencies and puts all the focus where it belongs: on the business owners.”

Jamie Dionne, Board Chair and Founding Member of Arts Marketplace, shares: “At AMP, we believe in providing entrepreneurs and artists a safe space to build their brand, grow their customer base, and navigate early challenges with support. This foundation is key to long-term economic success. Many of our makers have gone on to open their own shops or secure regional and national distribution. We’re more energized than ever to keep investing in these emerging business owners and their visions for a stronger community.”

DRIP is actively recruiting entrepreneurs to sign up for the program. Benefits of participation include:

  • Dedicated retail space in the heart of Downtown at a highly affordable rate
  • Business planning support, workshops, coaching and personal consulting that fully supports the preparation and successful launch of a retail business
  • Visibility and exposure at the Arts Marketplace (events, campaigns, promotions, etc.)
  • Access and connections to local business support organizations and more

DRIP will create opportunities for aspiring local entrepreneurs and expand access to the resources needed to build a sustainable retail business.

The growing list of supporters and partners includes People First Economy, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Grand Valley State University, the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Rapids Chamber, Michigan SBDC, Start Garden, West Michigan Community Bank, Western Michigan University, GROW, Huntington Bank and TACT Marketing Strategy.

People First Economy plays a significant role in the overall effort that includes the time and effort of Arick Davis, the Co-Founder of Last Mile Coffee and the Director of Growth & Partnerships at People First Economy.

“As an entrepreneur in Grand Rapids, I deeply value our city's support ecosystem. The Arts Marketplace gave us a firsthand experience with Downtown retail and helped us connect with new customers – momentum that was instrumental in launching our café on the southeast side,” Davis said. “The addition of DRIP brings vital education and relationship-building opportunities that I know would have made a meaningful difference in our journey.”

The DRIP’s implementation and operation is a multi-year effort to provide support for and guidance to up to 20 aspiring businesses. The three-year program includes the following goals:

  • Year 1: recruit at least 10 micro-entrepreneurs into the program
  • Year 2: fill the remaining micro-entrepreneur spots available (the program is currently capped at 20)
  • Year 3: graduate at least 3 to 5 micro-entrepreneurs into independent storefronts

An application form and additional information can be found here: https://artsmarketplacegr.com/drip/

Preview and Opportunity to Engage:

The Arts Marketplace is welcoming the community on September 30th from 8 AM – 10 AM for an open house event that will celebrate the launch of DRIP and showcase the many ways the program will support Grand Rapids’ Entrepreneurial Community. More details to follow.