The D.R.I.P.

The Decatur Retail Incubator Program

 

The Decatur Retail Incubator Program (The D.R.I.P.) provides online-only, homegrown businesses the opportunity to test their concepts and adapt to a brick-and-mortar shop. The goal is to recruit diverse new retail businesses into downtown Decatur.

 

The D.R.I.P.'s co-op space is at 431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. and will be open Wednesday-Saturday from 11 am - 6 pm and Sunday from noon-5 pm after the ribbon cutting on October 15.

 

How The Program Works

Up to six business owners lease a shared space, The D.R.I.P., for a six-month period

Prospective participants are vetted through a formal application process funded by the Decatur Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and carried out by the program advisory committee. The committee reviews the applications of prospective participants and selects the entrepreneurs to participate in the program. The committee is made up of a DDA board member,  the Downtown Program Manager, a local retailer, a local accountant, and a local business investor and is approved by the DDA.

Once accepted, the DDA covers half the lease cost and provides monthly trainings and resources to guide the selected businesses through the process of establishing a physical space for their business in Decatur. 

A key aspect of the retail incubator is mentorship from established, local brick-and-mortar business owners.  Mentors are selected through a formal interview process by the program advisory committee and with city staff recommendations.

 

“This incubator program presents a tremendous opportunity to entrepreneurs who have built a strong business online and are confident the market will support a physical presence,” said Conor McNally, DDA chair. “Our research showed similar programs have been very successful in places like Memphis, Tenn., and Dayton, Ohio, so we are excited for the economic growth and innovation this can spur for Decatur.”

 

To qualify, a small business must have 10 or fewer employees and must have existed for at least two years.

 

Decatur's Newest Tenants at The D.R.I.P.

Stace Loyd, Michelle Loyd, Michael Loyd, Htwe Htwe, Mary Ellen Sheehan, and “Buzz” Busbee

The Tenants

The three businesses selected for the inaugural program year are: ABETTERBUZZ Brand Goods, Dope Coffee Company and Royal Thanaka Natural Skincare.

 

“We are thrilled with the three entrepreneurs helping us launch this program and proud of how well they showcase Decatur’s diversity, as they are owned and operated by women, people of color and a member of the LGBT community,” said McNally. “These businesses represent the best of Decatur, so we certainly hope the community will visit them and make their long-term dreams a reality.”

 

ABETTERBUZZ is a bold, graphics-inspired apparel and goods provider. Founded by “Buzz” Busbee, the company’s mission is to create high-quality, fun and affordable goods, while giving back to the communities they serve.

A Black-owned and focused beverage business, Dope Coffee Company creates special products inspired by Black culture to reject the stereotypes surrounding premium coffee and the people who drink it.

Royal Thanaka Natural Skincare is a socially conscious skin care brand proudly representing the dreams of immigrants, with co-founders Htwe Htwe and Myo Naing emigrating from Myanmar (Burma) to the U.S. in 2002, while fellow co-founder Mary Ellen Sheehan’s formative years were spent in Ireland.

 

Ribbon Cutting

Mark your calendars and be sure to stop by and see Downtown Decatur’s newest tenants when they open their doors for the first time on October 15, 2021 at 11 am.

 

More About the Program

The DDA created a retail recruitment incubator program and appointed members to its selection and advisory committee at the July 9 City of Decatur board meeting. Downtown Program Manager Shirley Baylis presented the program to the DDA at the June 11 meeting and requested $25,000 to fund the program. 

 

Future Applicants

Check back in early 2022 for the next round of applications.