Creative and culinary entrepreneurs can apply now for a scholarship program that pairs them with a downtown storefront through the month of March.
The scholarship is provided by the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association thanks to a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
Please carefully read through the information below. Download the application here. Applications may be mailed to Susan Alexander at 700 E. Firmin St., Suite 100, Kokomo, IN 46902, or emailed to salexander@greaterkokomo.com.
Downtown Kokomo Pop-up Shop Initiative timeline:
Jan. 15: Deadline for Creative & Culinary Entrepreneur Application
Jan. 17-21: Applications reviewed by committee
Jan. 24: Applicants notified of inclusion in program
Jan. 25-31: Entrepreneurs matched with pop-up locations or kitchen hours through discussions with committee and property owners
Feb. 1-11: Applicants access and complete small business resource links
Feb. 14: Entrepreneur Logo due to facilitator to be included in promotions
Feb. 25-28: Entrepreneurs move in to commercial pop-up space; Culinary entrepreneurs receive orientation to kitchen space
March 1-3: Soft open/kitchen hours begin
March 4: Pop-up shop open house from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Chefs may participate if ready.
April 1: Chef food featured at First Friday open house; Final business day and evening open house from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
April 2-4: Entrepreneurs move out of space, keys returned to building owner; Chef final days to access kitchen and remove personal supplies
April 5: Completed review survey due to facilitator
Creative Entrepreneur Pop Up Shop
About:
The Pop-Up Program is an initiative of Greater Kokomo Downtown Association, Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance and private property owners in downtown Kokomo designed to offer low rate or free, short-term leases to local entrepreneurs. We are seeking proposals from local businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups to participate in this program. Selected applicants will occupy vacant storefronts and/or share retail spaces with the potential for long-term occupancy. The ultimate goal of the Pop-Up Project is to create a vibrant Downtown that serves as a destination. We will achieve this goal by facilitating the short-term lease of vacant storefronts in the heart of Kokomo to assist small retailers with entering the downtown market.
Eligibility Requirements:
Eligible program participants (pop- up shop business owners) include creative entrepreneurs and businesses seeking to develop a presence in downtown Kokomo. Local or regional establishments and start-ups that feature art and art-related services and gifts, home goods and decor, apparel and accessories, specialty foods, books, sporting goods, pet supplies, boutique items, locally-made goods, and books and toys are encouraged to apply.
Legal Requirements:
Program participants will sign a short-term lease which stipulates the terms of the short-term space use, and wherein they agree to return the space to its original condition at the end of the lease.
Participants shall comply with insurance requirements as well as applicable City of Kokomo, Howard County and State of Indiana rules and regulations for property use.
Selected participants who do not comply with these rules or the rules outlined by the Pop-up Shops Program will be evicted from the pop-up space and will be required to refund the Program and/or the landlord the grant money awarded. The Program Administrator will provide a draft lease agreement unless the property owner (Lessor) and program participant (Lessee) have their own agreements.
Selection Process:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and evaluated on the following:
- Product mix, store concept, marketing approach, operations strategy, availability to install, events, readiness to proceed references, willingness to work with the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association and other retailers, store design.
- Ability of Program Applicant to meet program requirements as noted above.
- Eligibility of project and applicant and completeness of application.
- General application form (see below)
- All necessary licenses/certifications
Greater Kokomo Downtown Association
Creative Entrepreneur and Culinary Entrepreneur Scholarship Initiative
Culinary Entrepreneur Commercial Kitchen Usage
About:
The Culinary Entrepreneur Commercial Kitchen Initiative is a program of Greater Kokomo Downtown Association, Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance and commercial kitchen owners in downtown Kokomo designed to offer free, short-term usage to local culinary entrepreneurs. We are seeking proposals from emerging chefs, farmers, prepared food developers, food truck operators to participate in this program. Selected applicants will gain access to a Howard County Health Department approved commercial kitchen. The ultimate goal of the Commercial Kitchen Initiative is to give culinary entrepreneurs access to a kitchen to start, develop, and grow a food-based business or pop-up restaurant that adds to the vibrancy of Downtown Kokomo. We will achieve this goal by facilitating the short-term lease of a commercial kitchen in downtown of Kokomo.
Eligibility Requirements:
Eligible program participants include culinary entrepreneurs, start-up restaurateurs, caterers, farmers, food product developers and meal preparation service start-ups as well as food truck start-ups seeking to develop a presence in downtown Kokomo. Local or regional start-ups and chefs wanting to offer pop-up restaurant experiences, cooking and nutrition training to the downtown Kokomo community are encouraged to apply.
Legal Requirements:
Program participants will sign a short-term kitchen usage agreement which stipulates the terms of the kitchen use, and wherein they agree to return the space to its original condition and abide by all kitchen rules throughout the usage term.
Participants shall comply with insurance requirements as well as applicable City of Kokomo, Howard County and Howard County Health Department and State of Indiana rules and regulations for kitchen use.
Selected participants who do not comply with these rules or the rules outlined by the Culinary Entrepreneur Commercial Kitchen Program will be disallowed access to the kitchen and will be required to refund the value of the unused proportion of the grant money awarded if any. The Program Administrator will provide a draft kitchen usage agreement.
Selection Process:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and evaluated on the following:
- Food Product idea, pop-up restaurant concept, marketing approach, operations strategy, availability, events, readiness to proceed, references, willingness to work with the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association and other facilitators, business plan.
- Ability of Program Applicant to meet program requirements as noted above.
- Eligibility of project and applicant and completeness of application.