Ever wanted to start your own business? Now’s the time

Prairie du Chien Main Street announced its new Pop-Up Shop program earlier this month. It’s an essentially risk-free, immediate offering to local entrepreneurs who want to open up a business for three months—in October and through Dec. 31.

The program will partner a few local entrepreneurs with downtown commercial landlords, with most supportive costs and marketing assistance falling into the hands of PdC Main Street, in collaboration with Couleecap, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Viroqua Chamber Main Street. There will be a rent discount offered to landlords, who will benefit by having this three-month “open house” of sorts on their property.

People who have a potential business ventures, as well as any downtown Prairie du Chien commercial landlords, are asked to apply online as soon as possible. The official application deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 25. Visit https://sites.google.com/wisc.edu/mainstreet. The application process is short and sweet, involving only a couple pages. 

Then, a committee of PdC Main Street will select the best-fit businesses to open as Pop-Up Shops for this holiday season. 

For more information, contact the local Pop-Up Shop coordinator Jessica Jane Spayde, Community Development Extension Educator, at 326-0223 or Spayde@wisc.edu, or business and income counselor Aaron Reimler, of Couleecap, at (608) 797-5746 or Aaron.reimler@couleecap.org.

Other Main Street activity

Prairie du Chien Main Street is also hosting a social event at Muddy Waters Pizza Pub, downtown, on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. A cash bar and pizza by the slice will be available. All are welcome. 

Anyone interested in joining the Main Street program’s board of directors is also invited to a Wisconsin Main Street informational and training session on Sept. 25, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., at the Crawford County Administration Building, conference room 236-B.