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Want to start your own business or expand your existing business? Here’s a low-risk opportunity

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Potential small business owners and entrepreneurs have a low-risk Pop-Up Shop opportunity to test their ideas in a retail market setting in Prairie du Chien. 

Couleecap, Crawford County UW-Extension, Driftless Development and Prairie du Chien Main Street want to help make people’s business dreams a reality, and they have grant funds from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to assist with this goal.

Pop-Up Shops in Crawford County and other communities have shown impressive results. The Sweet Tooth, in downtown Prairie du Chien, was a 2019 Pop-Up Shop business, who has experienced remarkable success. 

Pop-Up Shops can be a great opportunity for a new business to get started or for an existing small business to test a new market for expansion. Entrepreneurs will be able to operate their business—rent free—in a storefront located in a central commercial district for two to three months. This allows retailers a taste of reality without making any initial longterm commitments. If entrepreneurs wish to remain in the space after the Pop-Up Shop period ends, they then assume full responsibility and costs of the lease. 

The goals of this program are two-fold: create businesses, and fill vacant commercial spaces. Retailers get to enjoy the benefits of a storefront in a commercially-viable area, while landlords see increased foot-traffic in their previously empty space and an increased chance at finding a longterm tenant. Plus, the existing businesses in the area tend to benefit from new activity and excitement. 

Applicants will be expected to have regular store hours, maintain the interior and exterior of the building, and proactively market their business. However, through this process, they will also have the chance to consult with other small businesses and economic development professionals, who can provide other resources to help them succeed. 

Anyone interested in the Pop-Up Shop program should apply by Tuesday, Aug. 31. Because of limited funds, any applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. Applications will be accepted via: 1) email at spayde@wisc.edu and driftlessdevelopmentcarol@gmail.com (with the subject line “Pop-Up Shop Application,” or by 2) hand delivery or mail to Jessica Jane Spayde, Community Development Educator, Crawford County Extension Office, 225 N. Beaumont Rd., Prairie du Chien.

Applications can be found at crawford.extension.wisc.edu/cd/popup. Interested entrepreneurs can also contact Amanda Warthensen, Business and Income Developer for Couleecap Inc (amanda.warthesen@couleecap.org); Jessica Jane Spayde, Community Development Educator, Extension Crawford County (spayde@wisc.edu, 326-0223); or Carol Roth, Executive Director of Driftless Development (driftlessdevelopment.carol@gmail.com, 608-279-2293). 

Notification will be sent to applicants by email or phone no later than Sept. 15.

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