Spartanburg’s Main Street Challenge helps Haute Mama deliver a new boutique for expectant moms
Devised as a creative way to fill empty storefronts in downtown Spartanburg, the Main Street Challenge was announced in December 2012. Patty Bock, Spartanburg’s economic director, said the turnout for the final business presentations exceeded all expectations: 58 proposals for retail businesses. The field was narrowed to 19 and then to seven finalists.
The finalists were then asked to give concluding pitches in front of judges and an overflow crowd at Hub-Bub’s Main Event hall in May.
The three winners – Haute Mama, Local Hiker, and Motte & Son – each received $12,000 in subsidized rent and another $8,000-$10,000 in startup services such as legal advice, printing and accounting services.
Last week, The Local Hiker celebrated its grand opening at its new location at 173 E. Main St. in downtown Spartanburg. Motte and Sons Bootlegging Co. is planning a March 2014 opening.
Across the street from the Local Hiker, Haute Mama, a women’s clothing store for expectant mothers, opened on Nov. 6. The boutique carries maternity clothing and intends to hold pre- and postnatal classes, lactation consulting and special events for expectant and new mothers.
Another Main Street Challenge is anticipated to kick off in early 2014. The new challenge will be expanded to a broader area of the city, providing more options in size and locations for those businesses that are applying, said Bock.
UBJ will catch up with all of the Main Street Challenge winners in future issues. This week, we sat down with Haute Mama owner Sara Riddle as she prepared for Wednesday’s opening.
How did the Main Street Challenge help you launch your business?
It helped so much because the process forces you to put pen to paper and make an idea into a real business concept. The revisions and selection rounds really helped to refine the business plan, and there were some really helpful folks who were genuinely interested in helping us succeed.
What obstacles/challenges did you have to overcome?
I have a toddler who keeps me pretty busy, so starting a business while still being Mom has been a bit of a challenge, but my business is such that he can come to work with me. I have a more creative brain, so some of the logistics I have had to ask for help with.
What are your plans for the next year?
I am very excited to connect with women in town and help them look and feel their best during pregnancy and afterwards. We will start offering classes and special events geared towards expectant and new mothers in January, and I am so excited to see the response to these!
Of the services and money received from the Main Street Challenge, what have you used so far and what was the most helpful?
I have met with the CPA who offered her hours, and she has been very helpful. I also have started on a website with a developer who offered some consulting time. There are more, such as printing and business cards, that I am really looking forward to taking advantage of very soon.
