Pop-Up retail incubator available

It’s not an easy task to open a business; it’s a big risk. But in downtown Red Oak there’s an opportunity to “try it before you buy it” with LOCAL, a rotating retail experience.

Jill O’Neal, owner of J Mercantile in Red Oak, said the concept for LOCAL came from her store starting as a pop up in the back of Alley Poyner Macchietto’s office, and from the work Jill’s husband, Daric, is doing with ROOT Development.

“With the closure of Kmart and Shopko, Red Oak is in this prime position for a retail revitalization,” said Jill.

The space, located at 320 E. Coolbaugh, is located on the square and offers free Wi-Fi, dressing rooms and a restroom. It can be rented for one week at a time.

“It’s an incubator space for those that have a business plan ready to take the next step of owning a retail space, or they have a small home business and they’re ready to move toward having their own brick and mortar store,” said O’Neal.

Rent is dependent upon several perimeters, said O’Neal. She added once the space has been rented, the business can move into the space on a Wednesday, open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and remove their items Monday. On Tuesday, the space is cleaned and prepped for the next entrepreneur.

Renters do need their own point of sale system and those selling food or alcohol will need the proper license. LOCAL opened in late November and was wildly successful, said O’Neal. They will reopen in February, after taking January off to crunch numbers and see what direction to take.

“I have had people contacting me like crazy,” O’Neal said.

She added, an incubator space wouldn’t work in just any community, but the atmosphere is ripe in Red Oak and the community is supportive and inviting.

“I have really high hopes for it and we’re really excited to have more retail in this town.”

O’Neal can be contacted a jill@jmercantile.com or at 712-310-6519.