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Pop Up Business Program Launching In Ypsilanti

ypsilantidda.org

Ypsilanti's Downtown Development Authority is launching a new program to bring businesses downtown, at least temporarily.  The Pop-Up Business Program launches Monday night with the first of two orientation sessions.

DDA director Tim Colbeck says the aim is to put some of the vacant storefronts downtown to use for the fall and winter seasons. 

The Pop-Up Business Program lets business owners set up shop temporarily to find out if there is a market for their products, and to figure out if their business model works. 

It's also geared toward companies looking to expand or change locations.

Colbeck says once established, the newcomers can turn a short two-month lease into a longer commitment.
 
"It benefits the downtown because we're going to create activity," Colbeck says.  "We're going to get people in, and we're going to open up some storefronts that haven't been open for a while.  More foot traffic, more excitement, more people buzzing.  It benefits the business entrepreneurs and different businesses because it's going to give them a foot into the market."
 
Colbeck says the program will also be beneficial to landlords, who will have some rent money coming in with the possibility of developing a long-term tenant.

Monday night's orientation session takes place from 6-7:30 at B-24's.  Tuesday's session runs from 9-10:30 a.m. at SPARK East.

The Pop Up Business Program is a joint effort of the City of Ypsilanti, the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority, and the Michigan Small Business Development Center.