{"id":4755,"date":"2013-08-07T05:58:23","date_gmt":"2013-08-07T10:58:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/?p=4755"},"modified":"2023-07-01T14:49:19","modified_gmt":"2023-07-01T19:49:19","slug":"one-downtown-building-many-new-retail-stores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smallbizsurvival.com\/2013\/08\/one-downtown-building-many-new-retail-stores.html","title":{"rendered":"One downtown building gives life to many new retail stores"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The

The Village now houses many new retail ventures with the flavor of a turn-of-the-century Iowa town. The small shop sizes and vendor carts act as incubators for new retailers. Photo by Cathy Lloyd.\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Guest post by Cathy Lloyd, The Village<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the summer of 2007, I had an idea to help the state of retail on the square in downtown Washington, Iowa.\u00a0 Since Wal-Mart came to town in the \u201870s, there had been a steady decline in the number of retail businesses in the downtown area. I hoped by making shopping an \u201cexperience\u201d we could keep some Washington people in town instead of defecting to Iowa City\u2026.but I knew it would have to be really<\/i> unique.<\/p>\n

A large historic two-story building on the square was in the process of being renovated. I talked to the owner about my idea to have a retail complex on the first floor. I would call it \u201cThe Village\u201d, and it would consist of small boutique-type shops surrounding a central courtyard. The shops would be designed with wood fa\u00e7ade fronts to replicate a turn-of-the century Iowa village. Clapboard siding, awnings and window boxes would be features, and each shop front would be different.\u00a0 I would rent the main area from the building\u2019s owner, divide it into small shops at my own expense, and those shop \u201cowners\u201d would pay me rent.<\/p>\n

In addition, the courtyard would feature vendor carts, and a comfortable sitting area (our \u201cgentlemen\u2019s area\u201d, we call it!) Complimentary coffee—or in the summer, lemonade— would be available. The rent for the vendor carts would be on a month-to-month basis, and would give timid souls the opportunity to \u201cget their feet wet\u201d in retail before moving into a shop. Thus The Village would act as a true incubator: vendor cart users might move into shops, and shop owners might move on to their own stand-alone shops.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Village courtyard between the stores includes comfortable places to sit, called the “gentlemen’s area.” Photo by Cathy Lloyd.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

A central checkout area would enable shoppers to wander from store to store with their shopping basket without having to pay for their purchases in each shop. Shop owners would not need individual counters and employees in their shop, allowing for the maximization of space.<\/p>\n

I knew I wanted to concentrate on retail\u2026not beauty shops, insurance, consignment shops or tattoo parlors! Some ideas for shops I originally envisioned:<\/p>\n