Elgin's DNA hoping $100,000 grant will help pop-up vendors become downtown store owners

Chicago Tribune

6 days ago

The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin is creating a new business incubator program with a $100,000 grant from Main Street America.
The nonprofit is one of three organizations nationally to receive the Small Business Accelerator Grant funded by The Hartford in partnership with Main Street America, DNA Executive Director Jennifer Fukala said.
There are 150 vendors who operate pop-up businesses as part of DNA's weekly Downtown Elgin Market on the Riverside Drive Promenade, which opens for the season this Friday. They could all be potential candidates for the incubator program, Fukala said.
'We see an opportunity to develop a program to help them become full-time brick-and-mortar businesses,' she said. 'We've had some businesses make the jump, and we know it's a big jump. This program is going to help businesses be better prepared to do that.'
DNA plans to have a 1,000-square-foot retail storefront and production space for eight to 12 businesses, which will revolve between businesses as owners work toward opening their own location, she said.
Expected to open this winter, the space will be downtown in a location yet to be determined, Fukala said.
Under the program, already-established small business owners will serve as part of a cohort to provide support and advice, including one component focused just on business development, she said.
Ultimately, the goal is to help grow more retail businesses in the downtown district and set them up so they can thrive, Fukala said.
DNA is a member of the Illinois Main Street program, and just became nationally accredited by Main Street America. With The Hartford being one of Main Street America's major sponsors, the local organization could eligible for additional funding in the future, Fukala said.
Downtown is evolving, DNA Board President Brian Piñon told the Elgin City Council at a recent meeting where the grant was announced.
'We have over a dozen properties under renovation. We have seen properties change hands that haven't changed hands in decades to new property owners that are really investing in our community,' Piñon said.
'This grant represents a national recognition that our downtown has value. (The Hartford and Main Street are) investing in us because our downtown matters,' he said. '(Downtown is) really the heart of our community, and it's where we come together, where we go to see each other. It's kind of our communal living room. It's what DNA has been working hard to create.'
The Downtown Elgin Market is one of the big attractions, drawing more than 22,000 visitors last year, according the DNA's annual report. Survey numbers indicate that 56% of those who went to the market also participated in other downtown activities, the report said.
This year the market will open two weeks earlier than normal. Held from 3 to 7 p.m. every Friday through Oct. 10, the first day Friday will include a ribbon-cutting with Mayor Dave Kaptain at 3:30 p.m.
'Every year we are looking at how to dial it further or try different things,' Fukala said. 'There are some markets that have already started. We thought we would give it a try.'
First Friday market days — with extended hours to 8 p.m. — will be held this Friday as well as June 6 and Aug. 1. It will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. on those days.
Food trucks, chef demonstrations, live entertainment and educational programming from community partners are some of the activities offered.