The SoHo Shops at Town Center, a retail incubator project designed to allow small business owners to test the experience of running a brick-and-mortar location, held a grand opening Friday with its first set of 10 participating businesses.
“Honestly, it’s a very surreal moment,” said Gabriela Najera, owner of LaBelleFleurr.2, a flower arrangement business and one of the participating storefronts. “I’m really excited. It’s something I’ve been waiting to do since I opened the shop.”
Najera has been in business for five years. She said she hopes to eventually transition her business into a permanent location.
“For me, this was like a perfect opportunity, because it’s giving me the idea and the feeling of how it would be if I actually opened my own shop one day,” Najera said. “I’m hoping that by December this year, I’ll have that opportunity.”
The site, which consists of 10 tiny storefronts on a shared lot at 16114 South Park Ave., is planned to be open on weekends from May to December, to accommodate business owners who work other jobs during the week.
The stores will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.
“We had soft launch last weekend, and it was overwhelmingly positive,” said Kendra Shaw from KPGS Consulting, a firm specializing in retail incubators that partnered with the village. “Honestly, this whole community’s embraced it since day one.”
The business owners were given broad leeway when it came to decorating their 12-by-14 foot storefronts, Shaw said.
“They had a training with us to learn about retail setup, but in general they just ran with their own creative brains,” Shaw said. “They really got white four walls, and then got to take it and have their brands reflect the space.”
The plan is to host a new set of 10 small businesses every year going forward. The first set were selected from a group of more than 120 applicants, Shaw said.
Shaw said hopefully the plaza where the storefronts are located will be used for other events, such as musical performances.
“We want it to turn more into a community space, not just a shopping space,” Shaw said. “So people can use the open courtyard area and work with the vendors and host all sorts of events.”
Travis Bandstra, South Holland’s director of community development, said the incubator was an important step toward revitalizing the village’s Town Center District.
“Back in a different era of retail, it was a gathering place for everything you might need: the bowling alley, you bought everything you needed at the hardware store, the cafés,” Bandstra said. “That’s really the vision of what we see, this helping facilitate in Town Center, is a hub of activity, a new version of what retail is today.”
Previously, the lot hosts the retail incubator was vacant.
“Anytime you see a vacant lot transformed into something like this, it’s just an amazing experience,” Bandstra said.
Shortly after noon on Friday, the business owners lined up for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. Bandstra commended the group on its commitment.
“Starting and growing a business requires tremendous courage and persistence,” Bandstra said. “You’re taking that next step, so kudos to you. We’re excited to watch you grow and thrive here in South Holland.”
Kim Kislowski from Visit Chicago Southland said she hoped the shops would serve as a draw for visitors from outside the Southland.
“People like to buy local, and they want the unique experience,” Kislowski said. “For most people, they like to buy at something unique that they can’t get anywhere else, so that’s what this offers to visitors and residents alike.”
Maya Williamson, another of the participating business owners, run the skincare business Skin Privilege. Williamson’s mother-in-law, Phyllis Haley, helped her by demonstrating products for customers Friday, including charcoal soap and a rosewater scented spray.
“It’s been a ride, but it’s been a blessing,” Williamson said. “I’m just very excited, like I said, for the people. Come on in, see what we got!”
Williamson said she hopes to have a plan lined up for a permanent location in South Holland by next summer.
“Right now, I’m really focused on finding something within South Holland to keep this momentum going. I don’t want to shut it down in eight months and then, you know, I’m back to online only,” Williamson said.
Sisters Leslie and Vicki Pinter came to visit the shops together for the grand opening because they’d noticed the construction underway on the lot.
“I think it’s wonderful,” Leslie Pinter said.
The sisters have lived in South Holland since 1970, they said.
“We’ve been living here forever,” Vicki Pinter said. “We watched this all come to fruition and we’re happy to be here at the grand opening.”
elewis@chicagotribune.com
