This retail incubator is offering nearly free brick-and-mortar location in Edmond

Richard Mize, Oklahoman
3 min read
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Downtown Edmond is pictured May 23. Citizens RiSE, a Retail Incubator for the Shopkeeper Experience, will select one Oklahoma business to open a temporary storefront from July to September as part of the bank’s building at First Street and Broadway Avenue.
Downtown Edmond is pictured May 23. Citizens RiSE, a Retail Incubator for the Shopkeeper Experience, will select one Oklahoma business to open a temporary storefront from July to September as part of the bank’s building at First Street and Broadway Avenue.

EDMOND — Citizens Bank of Edmond and the Oklahoma-centered Independent Shopkeepers Association are looking for another aspiring entrepreneur to set up in a retail incubator this summer.

Citizens RiSE, a Retail Incubator for the Shopkeeper Experience, will select one Oklahoma business to open a temporary storefront from July to September as part of the bank’s building at First Street and Broadway Avenue. The pop-up retail space is 20 by 20 feet. Applications are now open until June 9 at isaok.org/rise.

“With RiSE, we are offering a low-risk, low-cost environment for Oklahoma’s entrepreneurs and shopkeepers to explore ways to take their retail experience to the next level,” said Jill Castilla, CEO and president of Citizens Bank of Edmond. “Whether you are a shopkeeper considering a brick-and-mortar future, or an Oklahoma business looking to test the Edmond market, Citizens is here for you.

"We are eager to find the next tenant for RiSE and are excited for this ongoing partnership with the Independent Shopkeepers Association to grow our retail incubator program.”

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Shop success stories from Citizens RiSE

Colby Collect holds his son, Colton, who was one of the models for the 3.21 Fashion Show in January to benefit the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma at The Criterion. All of the models in the show had Down syndrome and were wearing custom-made outfits by NASH Engineered Fashion, which was a participant last summer in Citizens RiSE, a Retail Incubator for the Shopkeeper Experience, in downtown Edmond.

Three bouncing baby businesses emerged from last summer's RiSE incubator, said Cléo Nash, executive director of the Independent Shopkeepers Association.

  • The Boho Babe Boutique moved into a permanent space inside Painted Tree, 308 S Bryant Ave., in Edmond "shortly after the end of her stay with us."

  • CleoElaine is focusing on doing more events and pop-ups to keep growing its brand.

  • NASH Engineered Fashion "stayed with us, right as they were also opening their first permanent space in Midtown OKC (at 1145 N Walker Ave.). They used the incubator to strengthen their business skills and grow their customer base as they were launching to ensure they'd have a strong foundation for their first year of business."

  • Also, the incubator space now has another business in it, Haze of Gold, until mid-June, shortly before the winner of this round will move in.

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How does it work?

Downtown Edmond is pictured May 23. Citizens Bank of Edmond and the Oklahoma-centered Independent Shopkeepers Association are looking for another aspiring entrepreneur to set up in a retail incubator this summer.
Downtown Edmond is pictured May 23. Citizens Bank of Edmond and the Oklahoma-centered Independent Shopkeepers Association are looking for another aspiring entrepreneur to set up in a retail incubator this summer.

For a fee of $50 a month, one selected shopkeeper will operate a temporary retail space on Broadway Avenue downtown. The selected shop will be open to the public for three months. Eligible applicants must be locally owned. A jury will review all eligible applications to select a winner to participate.

In addition to the low-rent pop-up space, the winner will have access to co-working space at Vault 405, at 10 N Broadway, and free annual membership in the Independent Shopkeepers Association.

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What fledgling shops should know

Downtown Edmond is pictured May 23.
Downtown Edmond is pictured May 23.

Some of the nitty gritty:

  • Winner will be responsible for signage, staff and merchandise.

  • Winner must adhere to hours of operation, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

  • Winner must adhere to design specifications set by Citizens Bank of Edmond.

  • Can be an existing or online shop.

  • Businesses not eligible to apply include medical marijuana dispensaries, liquor stores, food and beverage (only pre-packaged food will be allowed), full-service restaurants, and those with political or election-related content, explosive materials such as fireworks, or adult entertainment products.

  • No strong odors.

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Senior Business Writer Richard Mize has covered housing, construction, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com since 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com. Sign up for his weekly newsletter, Real Estate with Richard Mize.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Edmond's downtown retail incubator accepting entrepreneur applications

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