The Colliery

Carbondale's Unique Retail Hub

Mission Statement The mission of the Greater Retail Incubator is to create a strong foundation for retail entrepreneurs in order to foster their long-term growth and strengthen the overall economic climate for retail businesses in the Greater Carbondale Area.

Greater Carbondale Retail Incubator Project Description The City of Carbondale and the Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce are unveiling the Greater Carbondale Retail Incubator that will provide a venue that is designed to foster the growth of new retail businesses in the Carbondale Area. The Retail Incubator is designed to act as a catalyst for new start up business, business expansion from home to storefront, and Internet based business looking for retail storefront space in order to bring long-term economic growth by fostering a solid foundation for retail entrepreneurs. The Incubator will provide individual interior storefront space with sharing of administrative overhead resources including a centralized checkout system. The Retail Incubator will also promote a strong educational component allowing business to learn and grow for long-term profitability utilizing the SBDA and other educational resources designed to assist new business in creating successful startups. Retail Incubator businesses will also learn effective marketing methods and the importance of marketing their business for long-term success.

The Retail Incubator will allow start up business up to three years of shared interior storefront space with low monthly rent. From the commencement of their participation in the Retail Incubator businesses will begin the 36-month process to grow their business financially and create a clientele that will support their transition to a storefront within the City's Downtown Corridor. The concept of the Retail Incubator provides both short term and long-term growth for the economy of the City of Carbondale and the Greater Carbondale Area. In the short term there will be an increase of 10 small businesses within the City increasing retail opportunities for residents and those seeking a destination. In the long term the Retail Incubator is designed to create long-term economic growth cultivating business from the incubator to the Main Street. Increased retail business will increase foot traffic within the City furthering the goal of creating a regional destination hub.