Guest feature: Leeann Crews is associate director at the Downtown Frederick Partnership. Follow along with the partnership on Facebook.
Downtown Frederick Partnership has received a grant from Truist Foundation to launch a new retail incubator, providing unprecedented support for emerging entrepreneurs and expanding diversity in business ownership and opportunity in Downtown Frederick.
The program will be managed in partnership with SOUL Street, a Frederick-based collective of Black business owners and community leaders dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial success.
This first-of-its-kind retail incubator will be located at 22 S Market St, inside the historic Federated Charities building. The incubator will host three participants at a time for up to 12 months, providing access to affordable retail space, shared operations, mentorship and hands-on business training.
The program is designed to help emerging retail entrepreneurs test and grow their business concepts in a supportive, lower-risk environment. Businesses interested in applying to participate in the incubator should fill out the interest form online.
Photo by Ali Chaturbhai
