A year-long program to help grow five businesses in Hampton’s Phoebus neighborhood is reaching its final stages.
Last year, Retail Alliance — a Norfolk organization dedicated to supporting the growth of local businesses — won a $100,000 state grant and used the money to start a pilot program in the historic Phoebus neighborhood.
The organization joined with Phoebus Partnership to select five local shops, which would then spend several months working directly with consultants on everything from branding to storefront improvements to websites and social media. The hope was to help businesses reach more customers and improve customer experience, leading to an increase in revenues.
The five businesses selected for the program in March were Sly Clyde Ciderworks, Palace Jewelers, See Which Books, Art Central Gallery and Happy Hempo, which was later replaced by Firehouse Coffee 1881 at Fort Monroe.
After months of meetings, this week, Retail Alliance began presenting selected businesses with final recommendations on short-term improvements, which micro-grants of $3,000-5,000 will help fund.