Participants in the Los Alamos Retail Accelerator Program listen to Los Alamos County Economic Development Administrator Dan Ungerleider. Photo Courtesy LACDC

LACDC NEWS RELEASE

Los Alamos MainStreet and the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce have announced the first cohort of the Los Alamos Retail Accelerator Program will be moving into a pop-up retail storefront location this Fall and Winter. The new storefront, located at 174 Central Park Square across from Boese Brothers Brewpub, will temporarily house three entrepreneurs who completed the first portion of the 7-week Los Alamos Retail Accelerator Program. The entrepreneurs who successfully transitioned to the pop-up portion of the program:

Jill Lang – Samizdat Bookstore & Teahouse

Joanne Kozuchowski – Little Studio on the Mesa

Kevin & Michelle Talley – Inspired Jewelers

“We are excited for Jill, Joanne, Kevin and Michelle in taking this next step to pursue a storefront in Los Alamos,” said Lauren McDaniel, Director of Los Alamos MainStreet and Interim Director of Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation. “We have a unique set of retail challenges in Los Alamos, and we applaud these entrepreneurs for putting forth the tremendous dedication to learning the environment, enhancing their business model and having the commitment to pursue a storefront and help diversity our local retail offerings. We hope this accelerator can serve as an annual program moving forward. We encourage the community to show these small businesses their support and come out to frequent their shops this November and December!”

The Los Alamos Retail Accelerator Program enabled participants to de-risk their entry into Los Alamos retail through interactive and educational workshops focused on starting a retail storefront in Los Alamos. Throughout the program, which was completed by 11 diverse entrepreneurs, participants heard from a variety of regional and local experts, including a store manager for IKEA, leader of Kick-Ass Entrepreneurs of Santa Fe, Los Alamos County Economic Development Administrator and Los Alamos County Fire Marshal, owners and managers from local retailers with Gadgets Gift Shop at the Bradbury Science Museum, Pet Pangaea, Fleur de Lys and Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op. Topics ranged from Business Licensing and Permitting, to Marketing & Promotions, Ordering & Inventory, Cash Handling & Accounting, Store Layout & Sales and Employee & Company Culture.

The entrepreneurs who weren’t selected for phase II of the program will still have an opportunity for local partnerships and collaborations; Los Alamos MainStreet and the Chamber of Commerce will support them as much as possible.

In addition to the complimentary training program, rent and utilities, the Retail Accelerator Pop-up entrepreneurs also receive assistance with merchandising and fixtures, graphic design services, and a 1-year Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce membership.

“The retail businesses to come from this first cohort of the Los Alamos Retail Accelerator program will be great additions to the retail landscape in Los Alamos,” said Ryn Herrmann, Director of Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce. “We thank all of the entrepreneurs who participated and the supportive property owners who are helping to make this pop-up a reality in Los Alamos.”

Hours and opening day details of the Los Alamos Retail Accelerator Pop-up will be announced soon, but the public may keep updated by visiting https://www.losalamosmainstreet.com/retail-accelerator. The program was made possible through a partnership with New Mexico MainStreet and HatchForm, as well as grants from the New Mexico Economic Development Department LEADS program and Los Alamos National Laboratory Community Partnerships Office.