WESTBOROUGH – Attention budding entrepreneurs, artists, makers and innovators – the Westborough Economic Development Committee (EDC) has announced a partnership with UpNext and the 495/MetroWest Partnership to launch Project: Pop Up in downtown Westborough.
Begun in 2021, Project: Pop Up is an initiative created by UpNext to help revitalize town centers and commercial hubs still emerging from the economic effects of the COVID-19. Through this initiative, UpNext partners with municipalities to activate empty storefronts as temporary, pop-up incubators for emerging entrepreneurs seeking to test their concepts in brick and mortar retail.
By offering premium space at a discounted rate to brands that want to experiment and expand their concepts, as well as providing those businesses with the resources needed to seed their success, Project: Pop Up facilitates local entrepreneurship and innovation.
Additionally, pop-up storefronts help attract new patrons to existing businesses near the host storefront. UpNext has already piloted Project: Pop Up in several Greater Boston communities, including Newton, Needham, Melrose, Wellesley, Brookline, Burlington, Gloucester and Lexington, with much success.
At the end of its first year, Project: Pop Up saw 93% of its brands either extend their pop-up term or open in another area immediately following their Project: Pop Up run. It also saw 53% of its brands convert from a pop-up to permanent tenancy in their host storefront or a neighboring space.
Beginning in late April or early May, the EDC will activate 57 East Main St., Unit 139, with an incubator space to host emerging pop-up brands for three months. The space is 1,220 square feet with great visibility.
Jin Huang, the property owner at 57 East Main St., has provided critical support and collaboration on the project.
Applications are live and are currently being accepted on a rolling-basis. The town is seeking retailers, artists, makers and other entrepreneurs eager to test their concepts in brick-and-mortar retail. Selected brands will have the opportunity to test brick-and-mortar retail at a subsidized rate, and be provided with access to a suite of resources to help seed their success. Interested parties can learn more and apply for pop-up tenancy here.
This project is being funded by the Massachusetts Office of Business Development REDO grant program as part of the state’s efforts to accelerate economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The 495/MetroWest Partnership played a critical role in securing grant funding for this project.
