PHKC planning to open its retail incubator in mid-May; here’s a first look inside the east side space

A new space for entrepreneurs to test-run their retail businesses is envisioned as a 12- to 16-month stepping stone to their own permanent storefronts or locations, said Dan Smith, and the resource could be open as soon as this spring.

“We’re preparing entrepreneurs to open their own brick and mortars on the east side,” said Smith, co-founder of The Porter House KC (PHKC). “It’s our goal to help with economic viability through small business ownership.”

Inside The Porter House KC’s 811 Retail Incubator at 811 E. 31st St.; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

The 811 Retail Incubator — which received financial support from various sources, including Kansas City Community Development Block Grants funds, Missouri Technology Corporation, and JPMorgan Chase — offers nine booth spaces in a two-story building, each featuring individual pod spaces for the eight selected entrepreneurs. Each pod includes storage, and digital displays for advertising their own logos and/or commercials.

PHKC hopes to welcome the first group of entrepreneurs to the space in mid-May.

ICYMI: Porter House KC earns MO infrastructure grant, pushing its retail incubator closer to opening

“This is a literal bridge for these business owners to pop-up, sell their products in temporary spaces, and be able to fail and learn without losing everything in the midst of them trying to do so,” said Miranda Schultz, director of programs for PHKC.

Newly delivered dividers for pod spaces for eight selected entrepreneurs within The Porter House KC’s 811 Retail Incubator at 811 E. 31st St.; photo by Miranda Schultz, PHKC

Participating entrepreneurs are required to be present to sell their products for at least 30 hours weekly. With about 5,000 square feet at their disposal, they have access to their own lockers, a coffee bar, free wifi and internet available to the public, and individual workspaces.

“All the things that come with overhead and running your own store, they don’t have to worry about,” said Smith. “All they have to pay is 300 bucks a month for this. We’re trying to make it as accessible as possible for those folks to succeed.”

Click here to apply for the 811 Retail Incubator.

The second floor of the building at 811 E. 31st St. features an open workspace, restrooms, and changing rooms. Additionally, an outdoor patio with tables and seating offers extra work areas for the entrepreneurs. The open backyard space will be used to host PHKC events.

While working within the incubator, business owners will also participate in the Missouri Small Business Development Center’s GROWTH360 program, receiving training and resources. PHKC also offers financial, networking, and mentoring support to 811 Retail Incubator retailers.

“With the educational component, it’s really about being able to help them grow, not just in the space they have now, but also for them to learn how to get better at what they do,” said Schultz.