This past September, Main Street Alabama and Main Street Anniston co-hosted a Small Box Shop ribbon-cutting ceremony, helping to launch a local small business in the process.

Main Street Alabama President and State Coordinator Mary Helmer Wirth remarked, “We are proud to continue this innovative program in Anniston, allowing its Main Street organization to offer entrepreneurs an opportunity to test products and secure a spot in the local market before moving into a storefront. Our program strives to keep investment here in Alabama, and we know the design of the unit will add to the downtown landscape and contribute to the district’s vibrancy.”

Karla Eden, Main Street Anniston’s executive director, said the initiatives of the Small Box Shop fall in line with the entity’s existing entrepreneurial program. The organization’s new program can be completed in three months, and the Small Box Shop’s initial lease will last for six months. The first tenant is Salads2Go, a staple Downtown Farmer’s Market vendor. 

Eden explained, “We hope to see graduates of this program move into the Small Box Shop, where they can benefit from mentorship by the previous tenant and collaborate with other industry professionals. This support will help them prepare for transitioning to a new location downtown.”

Main Street Atmore will co-host an open house to celebrate its recent installment of the Small “Boxcar” Shop with Main Street Alabama this November. 

The retail incubator is located inside Boxcar Park, a public space and outdoor stage where popular events take place for the community.

Shinora Redmond, Main Street Atmore’s executive director, explained how the initiatives of the Small Boxcar Shop also fall in line with Atmore’s existing entrepreneurial program.

“We hope to continue building a thriving entrepreneurial community where business owners can focus on working ‘on’ their business, not just ‘in’ their business,” Redmond said. “We actually have businesses which started as vendor businesses inside other stores downtown and have found success in their own storefronts. The Small Boxcar Shop is the perfect way to expand our small business ecosystem, continue fostering an entrepreneur-friendly environment, and add to the allure of our downtown experience.” 

The Small Box Shop program is made possible through a USDA Rural Development Grant.