Middle Village Accepting Applications for Next Cohort

Small businesses are difficult to start — finding an affordable brick-and-mortar location, creating a business plan and carrying through can be difficult for even the strongest-willed entrepreneur. Sometimes you need a boost; a way to work through your plan in a space that allows for some learning opportunity so that after a year or so, you can expand and have more tools for success.

Local retail startups are finding a home in a shared retail space in the heart of downtown Lansing. Middle Village Micro Market is an incubator space that allows retail merchants to test the Lansing market, grow their customer base and build their brand while also diversifying shopping opportunities for those who love unique local item.

Current tenants include The Gold Mine, Sylvia’s Sudsery LLC, Shebeeka Monique Young, Nubian Jewelry, Nature’s 92 and Capital City Sweets.

Now, more startups are invited to apply to join.

Middle Village Micro Market is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 cohort. Merchants rent storefront space as part of the year-long program where they will build their brand, increase their clientele and earn capital. Merchants also receive monthly business training sessions, weekly financial counseling and marketing exposure. Those that complete the program and wish to open permanent locations downtown will continue to be supported by Downtown Lansing Inc. and its network of partners.

“Middle Village Micro Market has allowed us to build a sustainable model for addressing vacancies downtown; diversify our business mix; and start the transition to around-the-clock shopping options for those that live, work and play downtown,” said Cathleen Edgerly, Downtown Lansing Inc. executive director.

Just a few spots remain.

Apply now by emailing Julie Reinhart at Julie@DowntownLansing.org for more information.