DRA Accepting Interest Forms for Pop-Up Business Program

March 11, 2021 
 

RALEIGH, NC – Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) is now accepting interest forms for Pop Up Downtown Raleigh, a program designed by DRA to help attract new storefront businesses to downtown.

The program has two parts: (1) DRA will assist interested pop-up concepts with finding and securing space in Downtown Raleigh and (2) DRA will offer grant funding to select pop-up businesses in Downtown Raleigh with lease terms of less than one year. The grant is a competitive funding opportunity offering reimbursement up to $2,500 to cover upfit and stand-up expenses associated with the pop-up space. Pop-up businesses that are 50% or more minority-or-women-owned may apply for an additional $2,500 in funding (up to $5,000). 

With this program, DRA hopes to attract new businesses that provide unique products, innovative concepts, and needed services to the downtown community. Pop Up Downtown Raleigh is also a way for businesses to test the storefront market while contributing to the overall vitality of downtown. 

DRA has seen a history of success with pop-up businesses downtown. Triangle Pop-Up opened a successful holiday-themed store at 15 W. Hargett Street and has since extended its lease through Spring 2021 with expanded product lines. Black Friday Market opened at 23 W. Hargett Street in December 2020 as a space for predominately Black-owned businesses to display and sell products. After a successful holiday season, they continue to attract new vendors and customers. And dating back to 2015, DRA has helped bring other successful pop-ups to downtown including Republic Wireless, Flight, Twisted Oak and others.

“We are excited to add to the vibrancy of downtown Raleigh’s storefront economy through Pop Up Downtown Raleigh,” said Roxanne Lundy, Storefront Manager at Downtown Raleigh Alliance. “Our community is built off the hard work of small business owners and entrepreneurs, and we are proud to foster that entrepreneurial spirit even more with this grant opportunity.” 

Eligibility information as well as process timeline and application materials can be found at www.downtownraleigh.org/pop-up-downtown/

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