Thursday, December 4, is a big day for entrepreneurs starting a business. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the grand opening of retailLAB by StartUP Columbus will be held at Highside Market.
The retailLAB will be the first retail incubator of its kind in Columbus. Unlike traditional consignment stores or temporary pop-up shops, retailLAB entrepreneurs will gain true brick-and-mortar experience by operating their own storefronts full time. This hands-on model gives business owners real-world exposure to customer engagement, inventory management, and daily operations, all essential skills for building a sustainable retail business.
Columbus Councilor JoAnne Cogle represents District 7 where the new retailLAB is located. As an entrepreneur who started a CrossFit franchise in 2016, she understands growing a business.
“We welcome new business in Columbus, and the retailLAB is an exciting addition to starting new business,” said Cogle.
The retailLAB represents the next evolution of that mission, expanding StartUp’s support from business incubation and education into physical storefront opportunities. This new program allows local makers and entrepreneurs to gain hands-on retail experience in a real marketplace setting, test their concepts, and build a foundation for long-term success in Uptown Columbus.
StartUP Columbus is a nonprofit entrepreneur support organization dedicated to growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Chattahoochee Valley. Since opening their organization in 2018, they’ve helped hundreds of local founders start and grow their businesses through training, mentorship, and access to resources.
The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held Thursday, December 4, at 10:00 am at 211 13th Street.
