Capital Crossroads SID is committed to encouraging retail growth downtown. From the hard work done by Business Recruiter Kacey Brankamp to Pearl Market, which acts as an incubator for new businesses, the SID engages in a wide range of retail-building activities. Early this year, Capital Crossroads collaborated with Columbus City Council Members A. Troy Miller and Eileen Paley, Capitol South and other community partners to launch KickStart Columbus.

Conceived during a series of roundtable discussions on business development hosted by City Council, the KickStart Columbus competition gave business owners the opportunity to win storefront space (free for one year and discounted for another two) plus business mentoring sessions, Columbus Chamber of Commerce membership and other prizes. The winners will occupy space in the 200 block of South Third Street. The value of the prizes is more than $26,000.

Business owners entered the contest by submitting a business plan to the judging panel, which was comprised of business and civic leaders (even our own Cleve Ricksecker). The panel announced two winners from dozens of entrants. City Paws Home Health, a home pet care service with in-store retail, and Seven Studios, a life coaching, yoga, Pilates and inspirational retreat center, were announced as grand prize winners on April 10. The grand prize winners were chosen from four finalists.

“The KickStart competition was an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs to receive support in getting their business off the ground,” said Cleve Ricksecker, Executive Director CCSID. “Capital Crossroads, The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and the City of Columbus continue to focus on improving the retail environment downtown, with full recognition that each new business venture vitalizes our urban core, making it a more vibrant place to live and work.”