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El ID Michigan Street Shops
Holiday Retail Program
Background Last year, with great success, DTSB in partnership with the City of South Bend,
launched the region's first holiday pop -up shop program of its kind.
The uniqueness and creativity of the idea garnered an immense amount of positive
media attention that still, over a'' /z year later; has people in the community talking.
Our phone has already begun to ring with inquiries about the potential of repeating
the Holiday Pop -Up Shop program again this year.
Last year's programwas a definite success. The goals were to enhance the visitor
experience when coming downtown for the holidays, support the existing retail and
restaurants through synergy and the positive effects of clustering, and, to provide
businesses a chance to test -drive downtown as a location. Above and beyond the
stated goals, the program cast downtown South Bend as a business friendly location
that brings creative solutions to bear upon their problems.
We also were able to retain one of the shops, Imagine That! Imagine That! has
been a full -out participant in all the downtown events that DTSB has worked to put
together, so not only did the Michigan Street Shops gain a rent - paying tenant in a
formerly vacant space, but downtown received a "best in class" retailer.
We learned a few things from our initial experience, and with your blessings, intent
to launch the program a little earlier this year.
The Proposal To offer established business operatorsa no -cost, short-term lease from November
1, 2011 — January 8, 2012 for both 121 and 123 S. Michigan Street, the former Spark
Fine Stationary and Cort Furniture spaces. We would like to make the spaces
available by October 15, 2011 for the participants to begin setting up their
storefronts.
This opportunity will be offered through an application process (sample application
from last year is attached, modifications may be made). Businesses will be selected
based on the appeal of their product mix for holiday shoppers, how well their
concept works in synergy with current full -time tenants, their ability to add
excitement to the festive holiday atmosphere through in -store events, promotions,
and the quality of their window displays.
Stores selling the following goods will be given priority:
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• Gifts / decoration
• Home goods and accessories
• Specialty food
• Arts and culture related items
DTSB will promote the locations and hours of these new stores in conjunction
withadvertising and marketingof downtown holiday events and activities.
These short -term tenants will agree to be open certain hours which will include
daytime and evening hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays up through
Christmas eve. Pop -up shop participants will also be required to attend a
planning /kick -off meeting that will include all the business owners on the block, and
to participate in the First Friday events in December and January.
Timeline:
• Program participantswill be granted access to the store - fronts as early as
October 15th, to set -up their stores.
• Stores will complete set -up by October 31st and ready to open for business
by November 1st.
• The stores will have their grand opening November 4th in conjunction with
the DTSB First Friday event.
• Participants will be allowed time in January for the stores to vacate the
spaces after their official closing date of January 8 th
The goal The goal is three -fold:
1. To support our current downtown retailers and restaurants by bringing in
quality retailers to enhance downtown South Bend as a retail destination
for the holidays.
2. To take our current festive holiday atmosphere to the next level.
3. To build upon the opportunity and good will presented by the program
develop the long -term lease prospects for the spaces.
Legal Program participants will sign a legal document which stipulates the terms of the
Requirements short -term space use requirements and wherein they agree to return the space to
its original or an improved condition. Participants shall comply with insurance
requirements as stipulated by the redevelopment commission and or Indiana State
Law.
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Name of Business:
Contact Person:
Daytime phone:
Michigan Street Shops
Holiday Retail Program
Interest Sheet
Email:
What types of products /product lines do you plan to sell?
What are your proposed hours of operation'?
Would you be interested in sharing a space?
Are you planning any holiday activities? If so, please describe.
1 All Holiday Retail Program participants must have daytime and evening hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout
the month of Decemberup to Christmas Eve.
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