New retail concept kicking off this weekend in downtown Batavia
Eight businesses will begin operating this weekend out of small shops in downtown Batavia, kicking off a new retail concept designed to boost foot traffic and spur economic activity.
Home decor, pet supplies, baked goods, granola and other artisan items are among the products expected to be available during the first season of the Batavia Boardwalk Shops, which begins with a soft opening at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Similar to an incubator program, the house-style stores at 114 E. Wilson St. serve as an interim-level space for startup businesses that aren't quite ready for a brick-and-mortar location, said Sherri Wilcox, executive director of Batavia MainStreet. Entrepreneurs had to submit an application and business plan to be considered for one of the eight sites.
But the shops are only intended to be temporary, she said, with the hope that by next season, the businesses will move to larger-scale operations, and Boardwalk leaders will receive a whole new batch of applications.
"That's certainly our goal, to help these small microbusiness organizers," Wilcox said, "to give them a chance and the leg up they need to hopefully become more permanent members of the downtown Batavia business community."
The season runs from June 13 through Oct. 31. During that time, all businesses pledged to be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Individual shop owners can choose to offer additional hours or pickup services beyond those times.
Batavia MainStreet worked in collaboration with the city and several community volunteers and businesses to launch the retail concept, which is designed to resemble beach boardwalks in coastal towns. Eight shops were constructed for the inaugural season, with an option to expand to 12 sites in the future, Wilcox said.
Project leaders hope the "little shopping neighborhood" will serve as a destination, she added, attracting more people to downtown Batavia and supporting other local establishments, too.
This year's participating businesses include The Unboring Granola, which offers natural butter-baked granola and other delicacies; Desmond Brown Design, selling handmade pillows, gifts and seasonal decor; Dash Ten Works, which creates wood signs, boxes and custom furniture; Larson Pet Shack, a pet supply and treat shop; The Other Half, which makes leather goods and menswear; Haylie B's Bakery, serving freshly baked cakes, cookies and cupcakes; Light & Pine Collective, which sells handmade candles, scents and other curated items; and The Sweet Life Confectionary candy shop.
"We were really impressed with the strong selection of businesses that wanted to jump on board," Wilcox said. "It's a nice mix."
Because of coronavirus regulations, shoppers will be asked to wear a mask, stay home if they're feeling sick and adhere to social distance guidelines. For now, only one shopper will be allowed in each store at a time. Many of the shops offer online and pre-order options.