Latasha Bell never had trouble selling her homemade soaps at craft shows, but when it came to getting repeat business, it was a struggle.
But thanks to a business incubator program, Bell and other entrepreneurs don’t have to venture out on their own right away.
, started by Newsed Community Development, has been providing learning experience and a cheap place to set up shop for startup businesses on Santa Fe Drive.
Newsed had owned the building at 725 Santa Fe Drive and was discussing options after a tenant moved out.
“We thought ‘why don’t we put it to use and create a social enterprise to help startup small retail businesses,’ ” said Andrea Barela, development director for Newsed.
Newsed started the Zone in 2013 and currently has four small retail outlets operating out of it, and another business that uses the basement as an office.
The corporation also will receive $100,000 this year from . Part of Newsed’s funding will go toward continuing to pay the center. The money goes toward the salaries of Barela and program manager Victor Caesar, who help with the building’s improvement and other financing for businesses.
The Zone is a sort of in-between place, according to Caesar — who helps counsel business owners — for businesses to dip their toe in to get rolling before opening their own shops.
Barela said the idea came from seeing so many businesses on Santa Fe Drive fail. She said she would notice seven businesses open in a given year, but six would close before year’s end.
“One of the things we noticed is that there is a lot of volatility on Santa Fe Drive,” she said.
While it’s too early to gauge if the program is successful, the business owners are pleased with the opportunities.
The Zone has regular business hours Fridays and Saturdays and sees a lot of foot traffic during the First Friday art walks, held on the first Friday of each month.
The storefront does not face Santa Fe Drive, which Barela says is a challenge, but she hopes to get a sign that is visible from the road, and Newsed will continue to search for funding to continue the program in future years.
“I would say Newsed has given my business a home,” said Bell, who came to the Zone with her business, Ashae Soaps, in August 2014. “I do well at craft shows, but I have a hard time with repeat business because I don’t have any stability. This puts me in a position to allow my customers to come in and have a place to go.”
The owners pay a small amount, around $75 per month, and the Zone keeps a portion of the sales. If a business owner is not around, the Zone has a system in which someone working there can make the sale for the absent owner.
Some owners, like Janet Viramontes, hold on to their day jobs while trying to get their retail business off the ground.
Viramontes owns Betsy’s Jewelz and shares a space at the Zone with her brother-in-law who paints snowboards and other items. Viramontes has been running her store online before moving in when the Zone first opened. She maintains her job as a dispatcher most days of the week.
For Jessica Acosta, owner of Environmental Consulting Services, she needed a place central to her clients, and an office in the Zone basement was the perfect place.
“The reason why I wanted an office is that it gives you a little more discipline than working at home, and I can bring clients here,” she said.
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or
