By Kris Leonhardt

Editor

MARSHFIELD — Main Street Marshfield is once again offering new entrepreneurs the opportunity to try out their business concept at a pop up shop.

“The whole point behind the pop up shop is to let these people try out their business idea, whether they are a new business or they are thinking about expanding to the Marshfield market,” Main Street Marshfield Executive Director Angie Eloranta explained. “It gives them a chance to try it out and see if it is something that they can be successful at in Marshfield and if we have the market to support them.

“We ideally want them to open up a storefront in our downtown, but a lot of people are hesitant to do that because it is such a big risk, so this pop up shop is a way to encourage them to do that without taking a huge risk.”

The shop also fills a vacant storefront while increasing traffic downtown.

“This is a project that the Economic Development Board from the city of Marshfield is helping fund, and our Economic Restructuring Committee is implementing this program,” said Eloranta. “We are accepting applications right now. We really want to give these people some time to build up their inventory and get ready to open up their shop for the holiday season.

“We really like doing the pop up shop in the holiday season because it is a time when we know it is going to be beneficial for them because you automatically have more traffic during the holiday season. So the pop up shop during that season will bring more traffic to our downtown because people are going to be interested to see these new businesses, and it is going to spin off, and that traffic is going to go to our existing businesses as well, so it is beneficial to all.”

Through the Main Street program, participants will receive signage, marketing assistance, and inclusion in holiday events and promotions as well as a prominent location in Marshfield’s downtown.

“We want entrepreneurs. We want small businesses to stay local and to be a part of our community and to make our community better,” Eloranta added.

The 2017 pop up shop program runs Oct. 2, 2017, through Jan. 6, 2018. All applications must be submitted to Main Street Marshfield by Aug. 11. Applicants will be notified of the selection committee’s decision by Aug. 18.

Call the Main Street Marshfield office at 715-387-3299 to inquire about further details.