Pop-Up MKE Tool Kit Details the Implementation and Benefit of Pop-Up Business Programs
The Pop-Up MKE pilot program fueled local economic development and BIPOC entrepreneurship by creating short-term “pop-up” businesses along historically disinvested commercial corridors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The pop-up model provides a low-risk opportunity for entrepreneurs to occupy commercial space on a short-term basis to operate their business, exhibit products and services, and establish their brand.
To support other organizations or individuals interested in creating their own pop-up program, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Milwaukee created a tool kit that outlines the history of the Pop-Up MKE pilot, partners that made it possible, incentives and benefits that make a pop-up model worthwhile, best practices for making pop-ups a success, and how a pop-up program can be replicated.
As a result of the Pop-Up MKE pilot, property owners made improvements, repairs, and cosmetic upgrades to storefronts along three commercial corridors. Two of the property owners entered into long-term leases with pop-up entrepreneurs, and three more entrepreneurs found long-term homes for their businesses in other locations. Businesses totaled between $500-$10,000 in sales individually and totaled over $40,000 in sales cumulatively. Three business owners successfully secured KIVA loans ranging from $5,000 - $15,000 to continue expanding their operations.
The 2018 pilot was made possible by a grant from JPMorgan Chase & Co and by the principal Pop-Up MKE partners: LISC Milwaukee, City of Milwaukee Commercial Corridor Team, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC), MKE United, and three Business Improvement Districts; North Ave/Fond du Lac Marketplace, Historic King Drive, and Cesar Chavez Drive.
The success of the Pop-Up MKE pilot and related activities encouraged JPMorgan Chase & Co to award an additional $3.5 million to launch the full Brew City Match program. Similar to Pop-Up MKE, Brew City Match aims to revitalize underinvested commercial corridors by pairing small business owners to vacant commercial spaces.
Please visit www.brewcitymatch.com for additional business resources and details about the program.