ANNISTON, AL — The City of Anniston’s Main Street Department, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is thrilled to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Small Box Shop, a retail incubator, on Monday, September 23, at 10:00 AM CT. This program, managed by Anniston’s Main Street Department, offers a unique opportunity for local entrepreneurs to launch small businesses with longterm goals of securing a downtown storefront. Karla Eden, Executive Director of the City of Anniston’s Main Street Department, shared the vision behind the initiative: “This incubator aligns with our goal of promoting local entrepreneurship. The Small Box Shop offers a six-month lease, allowing business owners to test their products in the local market while preparing for a transition into a permanent downtown location.” To apply for the Small Box Shop, applicants must submit a complete business plan along with their application. Approved applicants agree to an initial six-month lease, which can be renewed once, providing up to 12 months in the incubator. While in the Small Box Shop, businesses will receive support to establish a brick-and-mortar location in Anniston. Preference will be given to graduates of the city’s GETUP Anniston program, who will receive enhanced placement on the applicant list when applications open. Mary Helmer Wirth, President and State Coordinator of Main Street Alabama, commented, “The City of Anniston’s Small Box Shop is a brilliant example of how communities can support entrepreneurial growth. By creating a space where businesses can test their concepts before fully committing to a storefront, the city is encouraging sustained investment in downtown.” The Small Box Shop initiative is made possible through a USDA Rural Development Grant, and the City of Anniston’s Main Street Department has already partnered with a local business to launch the program. “Salads2Go, a beloved presence at our Downtown Farmer’s Market, has finalized their lease and will be our first tenant,” Eden adds. “We are excited to see how this incubator will enhance the vibrancy of downtown Anniston and contribute to the success of small businesses!” For more information on the Small Box Shop, please contact the City of Anniston’s Main Street Department at: MainStreet@AnnistonAL.Gov. CITY OF ANNISTON, ALABAMA MAYOR Jack Draper CITY COUNCIL Jay Jenkins – Ward 1 D.D. Roberts – Ward 2 Ciara Smith – Ward 3 Millie Harris – Ward 4 CITY MANAGER Steven Folks PRESS RELEASE – SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 – 9:00 AM JACKSON HODGES, PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR – CITY OF ANNISTON 4309 MCCLELLAN BLVD, ANNISTON, AL 36206 – WWW.ANNISTONAL.GOV JHODGES@ANNISTONAL.GOV – (256)-846-2044 MAIN STREET ANNISTON LAUNCHES SMALL BOX SHOP & BUSINESS INCUBATOR About City of Anniston’s Main Street Department: The City of Anniston’s Main Street Department is dedicated to fostering economic growth and revitalizing the downtown area by supporting local businesses and creating a vibrant, thriving community. Through various initiatives, including the Small Box Shop retail incubator, the department helps entrepreneurs develop sustainable business models that contribute to the local economy.